Humbly submit your will to God (Thy Will be done) and consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through Mary.
Those who had been scattered by the persecution
that arose because of Stephen
went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but Jews.
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,
who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,
proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians. Acts 11:19-26
It was in Antioch, that the disciples were first called Christians. “Christianity is not a school of ideas or a collection of beautiful temples and lovely art; it is a living people who follow Jesus and give witness to him every day, Pope Francis said. “We are not a religion of ideas, of pure theology, of beautiful things and commandments.
“No, we are a people who follow Jesus Christ and give witness — that is, want to give witness to Jesus Christ — and this witness sometimes ends up being giving one’s life,” he said. -Catholic News Agency by Carol Glatz
We see such a witness in the early Church, our first martyr, St. Stephen.
In the early Church, after the persecution of Stephen, many disciples scattered to preach the Good News “and a large number of people was added to the Lord.”
What does being Christian mean to you? Is it a label or something you live?
The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.” JN 10:22-30
In the Gospel, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall not perish.” Jn 10:22-30
What is the Creator, Savior, and Holy Spirit saying to you? Do you ever stop and take time to sit in silence to hear His voice? Sit in your room, go to Adoration, sit in a Church, sit in nature and listen to what God is saying to you. Talk to the Father by saying the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught us. Find it’s true meaning and say it slowly to start each day. Thank the Creator for sustaining you for another day and giving you life and the greatest gift, His only Son to atone for our sins.
Talk to Jesus like you are texting your best friend. Jesus died to become friends with you. He never leaves you or abandons you. Tell Him what you are worried about or what suffering is going on in your life. He knows what it means to suffer. Thank Him for the blessings in your life.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you throughout your day, especially when you read the Scriptures. Whenever you have to make a tough decision during the day, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Sitting in silence and listening to God will have an impact on your whole day, even your whole life! The rewards are eternal!
Be a servant, become a saint!
#Christian YOLO
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