Welcoming the Gentiles

~~~ Fourth Sunday of Easter ~~~

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 13:14, 43-52 ~~~ Psalm 100 ~~~

~~~ Revelation 7:9, 14B-17 ~~~ John 10:27-30 ~~~

My sheep hear my voice;

I know them, and they follow me.

The Acts of the Apostles continue to inspire us
with the enthusiastic growth of the church.

Paul and Barnabas are thrilled to be received
by crowds of people starving for the gospel news. 

I imagine it was a little like our current campaign rallies.
Paul would say a few words about Jesus and the crowd
 would cheer in response.

People came to hear their message;
they also thought it was necessary for them
 to convert to Judaism.
Paul says wait,
 now we are speaking to you, the Gentiles.
The Jews were given their chance but now we want you.

The good shepherd takes care of all of his sheep.
He learns to recognize each one of his sheep
and in turn the sheep learn to recognize his voice.

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;

I know my sheep, and mine know me.

The Gentiles learned to recognize
 the good news of Redemption.
They were so very delighted.

They celebrated and gladly went about
sharing what they had been told.

The disciples were filled with joy 
and the Holy Spirit.

In spite of being rejected by the Jews
 the movement did not stop.
Paul and Barnabas were on a roll
and they kept on going with fervor.

They gained more faith the more
they preached the good news.

We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Jesus has claimed us all as his sheep.
He will never let us be taken
out of his hand.

The Good Shepherd cares for all his sheep.
When one is lost he searches for it.
When the thief comes in the night he is
there to protect.
When one is hurt he tends to it.

He does the same for each of us.

He is our personal Good Shepherd
in today's crazy mixed up world we live in.

We are all in need of a Good Shepherd
 to guide us to green pastures and fresh water.

Blessed are we to have a Good Shepherd

who is also our God.
Our God who promises to wipe away every tear...
to shelter us...to protect and save us.
Our God who gives us life eternal.

~~~Peace~~~

In the Company of Joy

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 13:44-52 Psalm 98 ~~~ John 14:7-14 ~~~

The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

What do you think?

Does the Holy Spirit come because of our joy or

does joy come in response to the presence of the Holy Spirit?

Is the Holy Spirit always in the company of joy?

Can joy exist without the Spirit?

Sometimes you miss an opportunity at the time it is offered.

This is what happened to the Jewish people;

they had Jesus and his teachings right in their midst.

But they rejected and resisted to the point that 

the disciples moved on to the Gentiles...us.

The Gentiles were hungry to hear the words of salvation.

They rejoiced at being offered the chance to become followers of Jesus.

They had been waiting not knowing that God had them in his plan.

Even if the Jews had not rejected Jesus,

he would have reached out to them eventually.

For so the Lord has commanded us,

I have made you a light to the Gentiles,

that you may be an instrument of salvation

to the ends of the earth.

God's plan was always to include all peoples even though,

in fulfillment of the prophecies, he initially went to the Jewish people.

The disciples were beginning to experience some disillusionment.

Were they really doing the right thing?

Were they even capable of delivering the words 

of salvation promised by Jesus himself?

I can just imagine some of the Gentiles

 expressing relief at finally being allowed

 to openly confirm their beliefs.

The enthusiasm of the Gentiles

 rejuvenated the disciples, giving them new hope in their mission.

They shrugged off their rejection and moved forward.

They had to change the way they looked at the Gentiles.

They had to accept them for who they were...non-Jew.

Being filled with joy and the Spirit the disciples had renewed energy.

They once again had purpose...they had an attentive audience...

they had the commitment of the Gentiles. 

We are Blessed that the disciples did not quit.

They listened to God and reached out to the eager Gentiles.

The Love of God is great enough  to include 

all peoples who chose to believe...

all he calls by name.

~~~ Peace~~~