Called Christians Acts. 11:19-26
It was in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first called Christians.
That is because the grace of God was with them and obvious fall all to see.
When people look at our towns,
Do they see and experience the Christian Faith?
And call us Christians?
Only if the grace of God with us and obvious for all to see as it was in Antioch !
The Good shepherd. Jn. 10:11-18
There are many people trying to lead us down different roads.
Self help books; TV Evangelists; Politicians;
Sometimes even our friends.
How do we know if we should follow them?
If they are willing to lay down their life for us?
The Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.
If they are not willing to lay down their life for you,
Then they are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
The Master’s Voice Jn. 10:1-10
Pets and farm animals know their owners voice.
A stranger can talk to them, and there is very little response.
But when the owner speaks they come running.
Our voices are unique and distinctive.
We identify others by the sound of their voice.
The sound of a person’s voice tells us if we know them or not.
If they are a friend or a stranger.
This is why Jesus says,
His sheep recognize His voice and follow Him.
The Pharisees however did not recognize His voice,
And therefore did not follow Him.
How could the religious leaders of Israel not recognize His voice?
Because they did not want to hear what Jesus had to say.
They were listening to their own desires and wants.
Are there times when we ignore what Jesus is saying to us,
Because we want to do something or go somewhere else?
Every Sunday we hear the voice of Jesus;
Do recognize His voice?
Do we remember what He said after we walk out of the doors of the church?
Or do we listen to other voices?
Telling us what to do and where to go?
As the Scriptures say
An ox and an ass knows its Master’s voice.
Do we?
From Saul to Paul Acts. 9:1-20
Saul went from breathing murderous threats against the followers of Jesus,
to Paul the greatest preacher of Christ.
Most people would not pick a murderer to be their friend let alone the promoter of their cause.
But when Jesus calls,
He transforms!
He transforms the person in to what he needs them to be be.
So do not be afraid if you feel that you do not have what it takes to follow Jesus or share His message.
If Jesus can change Saul to Paul,
He can do the same with us.
Living Bread Jn. 6:44-51
When one goes to the grocery store there are all kinds of bread to choose from except one.
The Bread of Life!
The Bread of Life can only be found at Mass.
for at Mass the Bread from Heaven comes down to us on the altar;
So that one may eat it and not die.
This bread is the Flesh of Christ that He give for the life of the world.
The bread from the grocery store may taste good,
But those who eat of it will surely die.
While those who eat the Bread of Life,
The Flesh of Christ that He feeds us from this table,
Will live forever.
Persecution Acts 8:1-8
The early Church was based in Jerusalem until there was a persecution.
Then they fled to the countryside of Judea and Samaria.
The persecution however had the opposite effect.
Instead of stamping out the Faith.
It only planted the Faith in other places.
Sometimes Peace can lull the Faithful to sleep
While Persecution can awaken it,
And spread it like seeds on the wind.
Lord, receive my spirit. Acts 8:1
The way in which we die is different for everyone.
The time we go is different as well for everyone.
Death is a totally unique and personal experience.
But one thing that seems to be common for many,
Is seeing the Light……
This Light is Christ for He is the Light of the world.
As St. Stephen was being stoned,
The Heavens opened and He saw the Light,
The Son of Man standing at the right had of God,
And he prayed “Lord receive my spirit.”
Like Stephen we can pray,
Every night, before I sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
