One Walk

Dear Lord God, today I see that under the sun we cannot out run sin unless it is You that we are running to, for only in You and only through Jesus can we find the power that comes from love, faith and hope to over come temptation that leads to sin. For as Jesus proclaims in today’s gospel, no one can come to Him (Jesus) unless the Father who sent Him draws him; It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught by God.’ Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Him. This desire to listen and learn must come from within each of us; and we must look to You Lord God for eyes of faith and a discerning heart so we can look beyond what we see as fact under the sun, to that which can only be seen in faith from above, this is the only way we can do as today’s video reflection states ‘preach often and when necessary use words’. Lord God these things I do believe, in Jesus name, Amen

Run from places of sin as from the plague.

— St. John Climacus

Acts 8:26-40

26 But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert road. 27 And he rose and went. And behold, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister of the Can’dace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure, had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot." 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 And he said, "How can I, unless some one guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this: "As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth." 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, pray, does the prophet say this, about himself or about some one else?" 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus. 36 And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What is to prevent my being baptized?" 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azo’tus, and passing on he preached the gospel to all the towns till he came to Caesare’a

Bible Study: [1-40] Some idea of the severity of the persecution that now breaks out against the Jerusalem community can be gathered from Acts 22:4 and Acts 26:9-11. Luke, however, concentrates on the fortunes of the word of God among people, indicating how the dispersal of the Jewish community resulted in the conversion of the Samaritans (Acts 8:4-17, 25). His narrative is further expanded to include the account of Philip’s acceptance of an Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-39). [1] All were scattered . . . except the apostles: this observation leads some modern scholars to conclude that the persecution was limited to the Hellenist Christians and that the Hebrew Christians were not molested, perhaps because their attitude toward the law and temple was still more in line with that of their fellow Jews (see the charge leveled against the Hellenist Stephen in Acts 6, 13-14). Whatever the facts, it appears that the Twelve took no public stand regarding Stephen’s position, choosing, instead, to await the development of events. [26-40] In the account of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, Luke adduces additional evidence to show that the spread of Christianity outside the confines of Judaism itself was in accord with the plan of God. He does not make clear whether the Ethiopian was originally a convert to Judaism or, as is more probable, a "God-fearer" (Acts 10:1), i.e., one who accepted Jewish monotheism and ethic and attended the synagogue but did not consider himself bound by other regulations such as circumcision and observance of the dietary laws. The story of his conversion to Christianity is given a strong supernatural cast by the introduction of an angel (Acts 8:26), instruction from the holy Spirit (Acts 8:29), and the strange removal of Philip from the scene (39). [27] The Candace: Candace is not a proper name here but the title of a Nubian queen. [30-34] Philip is brought alongside the carriage at the very moment when the Ethiopian is pondering the meaning of Isaiah 53:7-8, a passage that Christianity, from its earliest origins, has applied to Jesus; cf the note on Acts 3:13. [37] The oldest and best manuscripts of Acts omit this verse, which is a Western text reading: "And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he said in reply, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ "

Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20

8 Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard, 9 who has kept us among the living, and has not let our feet slip. 16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me. 17 I cried aloud to him, and he was extolled with my tongue. 20 Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!

Bible Study: [Psalm 66] In the first part (Psalm 66:1-12), the community praises God for powerful acts for Israel, both in the past (the exodus from Egypt and the entry into the land [Psalm 66:6]) and in the present (deliverance from a recent but unspecified calamity [Psalm 8-12]). In the second part (Psalm 66:13-20), an individual from the rescued community fulfills a vow to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. As often in thanksgivings, the rescued person steps forward to teach the community what God has done (Psalm 66:16-20).

John 6:44-51

44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught by God.’ Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Not that any one has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Bible Study: [35-59] Up to John 6:50 "bread of life" is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus; in John 6:51-58, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore. There may thus be a break between John 6:50-51.

/      raangulo

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Dear Lord God, today’s readings are filled with both fact and faith; for the FACT is we are all called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, obedient and submissive more than all, even more than any services we think of rendering You for I know for certain that You oppose the proud, but give grace to the humble." Therefore we are to humble ourselves under Your hand, that in due time You may exalt you. We are to practice casting all our anxieties on You, for You care about each and everyone of us. We must be sober, be watchful for our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. We must resist him, firm in our faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of our brotherhood throughout the world under the sun. And after we have suffered a little while, You our God, the God of all grace, who has called us to Your eternal glory in Christ, will Yourself restore, establish, and strengthen us. This is Your dominion for ever and ever. And fact while it can be seen is less desirable and powerful than faith; for FAITH is belief in the unseen, and to have faith one must love You our God, and through that love we will develop a desire to know You more, and in that knowledge the secrets to Your mysteries will be revealed. For I believe the that with FACT a lone, that is without FAITH no one cannot interpret and discern You Word Lord, and that without understanding how FAITH becomes FACT, but not all FACT produces FAITH we will not be able to develop our spiritual beings as You wish. For FACT deals with things under the sun, and like things under the sun, FACT passes away with time, but FAITH in and from above is ever lasting, timeless and powerful, even under the sun. This type of FAITH can only come from You our Lord God through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

God desires the least degree of obedience and submissiveness more than all those services you think of rendering Him.

— St. John of the Cross

1 Peter 5:5-14

5 Likewise you that are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. 7 Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. 8 Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. 11 To him be the dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 By Silva’nus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in Christ

Bible Study: [5-11] The community is to be subject to the presbyters and to show humility toward one another and trust in God’s love and care (1 Peter 5:5-7). With sobriety, alertness, and steadfast faith they must resist the evil one; their sufferings are shared with Christians everywhere (1 Peter 5:8-9). They will be strengthened and called to eternal glory (1 Peter 5:10-11).[12] Silvanus: the companion of Paul (see 2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thes 1:1; 2 Thes 1:1). Jews and Jewish Christians, like Paul, often had a Hebrew name (Saoul, Silas) and a Greek or Latin name (Paul, Silvanus). On Silvanus’s possible role as amanuensis, see Introduction. [13] The chosen one: feminine, referring to the Christian community (ekklesia) at Babylon, the code name for Rome in Rev 14:8; 17:5; 18:2. Mark, my son: traditionally a prominent disciple of Peter and co-worker at the church in Rome, perhaps the John Mark referred to in Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; and in Acts 15:37-39, a companion of Barnabas. Perhaps this is the same Mark mentioned as Barnabas’s cousin in Col 4:10, a co-worker with Paul in Philippians 1:24 (see also 2 Tim 4:11).

Psalm 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17

2 For thy steadfast love was established for ever, thy faithfulness is firm as the heavens. 3 Thou hast said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD, 7 a God feared in the council of the holy ones, great and terrible above all that are round about him? 16 who exult in thy name all the day, and extol thy righteousness. 17 For thou art the glory of their strength; by thy favor our horn is exalted.

Bible Study: [Psalm 89] The community laments the defeat of the Davidic king, to whom God promised kingship as enduring as the heavens (Psalm 89:2-5). The psalm narrates how God became king of the divine beings (Psalm 89:6-9) and how the Davidic king became king of earthly kings (Psalm 89:20-38). Since the defeat of the king calls into question God’s promise, the community ardently prays God to be faithful to the original promise to David (Psalm 89:39-52).

Mark 16:15-20

15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.

Bible Study:  [9-20] This passage, termed the Longer Ending to the Marcan gospel by comparison with a much briefer conclusion found in some less important manuscripts, has traditionally been accepted as a canonical part of the gospel and was defined as such by the Council of Trent. Early citations of it by the Fathers indicate that it was composed by the second century, although vocabulary and style indicate that it was written by someone other than Mark. It is a general resume of the material concerning the appearances of the risen Jesus, reflecting, in particular, traditions found in Luke 24 and John 20. The Shorter Ending: Found after Mark 16:8 before the Longer Ending in four seventh-to-ninth-century Greek manuscripts as well as in one Old Latin version, where it appears alone without the Longer Ending. The Freer Logion: Found after v 14 in a fourth-fifth century manuscript preserved in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, this ending was known to Jerome in the fourth century. It reads: "And they excused themselves, saying, "This age of lawlessness and unbelief is under Satan, who does not allow the truth and power of God to prevail over the unclean things dominated by the spirits [or, does not allow the unclean things dominated by the spirits to grasp the truth and power of God]. Therefore reveal your righteousness now.’ They spoke to Christ. And Christ responded to them, "The limit of the years of Satan’s power is completed, but other terrible things draw near. And for those who sinned I was handed over to death, that they might return to the truth and no longer sin, in order that they might inherit the spiritual and incorruptible heavenly glory of righteousness. But . . . .’ "

3 [20] THE SHORTER ENDING – [And they reported all the instructions briefly to Peter’s companions. Afterwards Jesus himself, through them, sent forth from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Amen.]

/      raangulo

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Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.

Dear Lord God, What is it that You want me to know; as You show (I see and notice Your hand in my life as things unfold or immediately after things happen I recognize Your will) and teach (In seeing and noticing, I then meditate on Your will for me and how I am to use this to fulfill Your purpose for me) me that You are walking with me, I look to Your Holy Spirit for guidance, knowledge and wisdom – that which will help me understand Your will, Your purpose. Therefore You know what I have been listening to (Gnostic Gospels, Lost Books of the Bible) and thinking about these things. So today’s readings and Bible Study must have significance in that through Steven’s brief preaching’s and martyrdom You want me to learn and understand more about the early Church and it’s Fathers’; about You and me as a human being, prone to interpret and understand that which is easiest or safest, quick to judge and react with anger and even hate to that which threatens our thinking and beliefs. Today’s video reflection puts it quit clearly in that it is horrifying if not at least troublesome to see how those early believers, people of faith would shed innocent blood over beliefs that they did not or could not understand and accept. O Lord God, why is it, how is it that so many have shed blood in Your name, what are You trying to teach me, show me now. Dear Lord God I wait on You, knowing that the answers lie within me, but are of You, not me. The truths about loving, knowing and serving and faith, hope and love; the reality that You are the One True God, but You are worshiped differently, Jesus is Your Holy Son and the way and the light, but the way is different for each of us and the that which is in the light is His and His alone to judge, the Holy Spirit is of You Lord God and is Given to us through Jesus Christ, but speaks to each of us according to Your will and purpose putting us in places and situations in which we must be willing to stand for what we believe, no matter what.  Is this the meaning of St. Pio’s statement; is it that Your greatest mercy is not to let us have peace with each other, until we each can be at peace with You. That peace which will come only through faith, hope and love, the love that makes us want to know You more and serve You better. O Lord God teach me Your ways, give me a discerning hear and eye so that I may righteously seek Your will and serve Your purpose. In Jesus’ name I ask and pray, and wait upon You. Amen

The greatest mercy of God is not to let those nations remain in peace with each other who are not at peace with God.

— Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

Acts 7:51—8:1a

51 "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always oppose the Holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors.

52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They put to death those who foretold the coming of the righteous one, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become.

53 You received the law as transmitted by angels, but you did not observe it."

54 When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him.

55 But he, filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 3

56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

57 But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.

58 They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

60 Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them"; and when he said this, he fell asleep.

  1 Now Saul was consenting to his execution.On that day, there broke out a severe persecution ¹ of the church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Bible Study: [2-53] Stephen’s speech represents Luke’s description of Christianity’s break from its Jewish matrix. Two motifs become prominent in the speech: (Acts 7:1) Israel’s reaction to God’s chosen leaders in the past reveals that the people have consistently rejected them; and (Acts 7:2) Israel has misunderstood God’s choice of the Jerusalem temple as the place where he is to be worshiped. [55] He . . . saw . . . Jesus standing at the right hand of God: Stephen affirms to the Sanhedrin that the prophecy Jesus made before them has been fulfilled (Mark 14:62).

[1] All were scattered . . . except the apostles: this observation leads some modern scholars to conclude that the persecution was limited to the Hellenist Christians and that the Hebrew Christians were not molested, perhaps because their attitude toward the law and temple was still more in line with that of their fellow Jews (see the charge leveled against the Hellenist Stephen in Acts 6, 13-14). Whatever the facts, it appears that the Twelve took no public stand regarding Stephen’s position, choosing, instead, to await the development of events.

Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab

  3 Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to save me.

  4 You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead and guide me.

  6 Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, LORD, faithful God.

  7 I trust in the LORD.

  8 I will rejoice and be glad in your love,

17 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your kindness.

18 Do not let me be put to shame, for I have called to you, LORD. Put the wicked to shame; reduce them to silence in Sheol.

19 Strike dumb their lying lips, proud lips that attack the just in contempt and scorn.

20 How great is your goodness, Lord, stored up for those who fear you. You display it for those who trust you, in the sight of all the people.

21 You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from scheming enemies.

Bible Study: [Psalm 31] Of David. A lament (Psalm 31:2-19) with a strong emphasis on trust (Psalm 31:4, 6, 15-16), ending with an anticipatory thanksgiving (Psalm 31:20-24). As is usual in laments, the affliction is couched in general terms. The psalmist feels overwhelmed by evil people but trusts in the "faithful God" (Psalm 31:6).

Jn 6:30-35

30 So they said to him, "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do?

31 Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’"

32 So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

34 So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."

35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.

Bible Study: [31] Bread from heaven: cf Exodus 16:4, 15, 32-34 and the notes there; Psalm 78:24. The manna, thought to have been hidden by Jeremiah (2 Macc 2:5-8), was expected to reappear miraculously at Passover, in the last days. [35-59] Up to John 6:50 "bread of life" is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus; in John 6:51-58, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore. There may thus be a break between John 6:50-51.

/      raangulo

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Check out my blog at http://raagroup.blogspot.com/ where daily readings and more are posted daily.