Steadfast in purpose. An amazing example!
Recently while prayerfully reading Acts chapter 11:19-26, I was struck, once again, by the early church's missionary zeal.
It is the account of those who were scattered because of the persecution in Jerusalem and how they continued to witness to Jesus as Lord! They weren't silenced or intimidated by the persecution.They couldn't stop talking about this good news of what God had done in Jesus of Nazareth who was raised from the dead. Some of those who were evangelizing began to share with non-Jews, Greeks, about the Lord Jesus. As a result many came to believe! The Church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch to see what was happening and to help build up the new believers. When he saw the grace of God evident in the lives of those who believed, he was glad. Barnabas then exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord and steadfast in purpose (vs 23). I felt like that was a word for me and for those of us who serve in and our friends of ChristLife. It is a good word, isn't it? Something we all want in our walk with the Lord Jesus. To be faithful to him and absolutely steadfast in our purpose.
While in Michigan last week presenting a mission for two parishes, the pastor of St. Therese's shared a YouTube video that really illustrates faithfulness and steadfastness in purpose. Take a look and give thanks to the Lord for this man! You may not feel called to do what he did, but the key point that all of us should admire is his steadfastness in doing what he was called to do!
May we all have such passion to make the Lord known to others! May each of us be steadfast in purpose.
Labels: charisms, Christ, conversion, evangelism, evangelization, faith, Following Christ, God's purposes, non-Catholics, perseverance, testimonies
posted by Dave Nodar @ 9:34 AM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
In view of Sunday's Gospel, on Jesus as the true vine and we as the branches, Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador (who was assassinated in 1980) has a great reflection that ties in really well with this blog and this guy's amazing evangelism efforts and steadfastness:
"It helps now and then to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a small fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the Church's mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about: We plant the seeds that will one day grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it well. It may be incomplete but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own."Always a good message to keep in mind when we get busy with ministry or overzealous or we seem unfruitful for a season. Hat tip: blog.siena.org
Just discovered your blog while researching manuscripts for Annunciation pictures. Loved the video of the Sydney evangelizer. Much food for thought on your blog, I am a Catholic living in France, husband says he's atheist. Is God's purpose for me to bring my husband to Jesus? I'll sign up for your email n/letter. Pray for us! Sandra in France
Thanks Sandra for the post...
It reminds me of a conversation with a friend recently who is seeking truth.
He asked his religious step-sister, "why faith?" And she said "so we go to heaven."
He asked the same question to me... and I responded "why live?" "why breathe?" Which was exactly his thought...
Faith is the deepest reality. By believing and living in and through Jesus, by His Spirit, we "live a life worth living" - we become truly human as JPII constantly reminded the Church.
Elsewhere Pope Benedict talks about evangelizing is teaching others the "art of living."
Lord Jesus, I pray you would enable us to be witnesses of your risen life this day and that our family members and friends would be drawn to your truth, love, & mercy. Amen!
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