Chapters 13-15 by Sister Mary Core, OSB
Paul and Barnabas take their message to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles.
In every town their audience is divided between believers and unbelievers … an emotional hotbed for all.
At Lystra, Paul heals a man lame from birth, causing the people to believe he and Barnabas are the Greek gods Hermes and Zeus. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Recently I used Matthew 14:22-33 during my daily Lectio Divina.
That’s the passage where Jesus walks on water and Peter tries to do the same … and sinks. So often this reading invites us to reflect on Peter’s lack of full trust and faith. Continue Reading
Chapters 8-12 by Sister Mary Core, OSB
Philip now goes “down to Samaria” to preach. For Jews, Jerusalem was held in highest esteem, meaning that one went up when going to Jerusalem, and down when going away in any direction.
Thus, when the “Followers of the Way” – as the early Christians were known – went down from Jerusalem, they left the city to begin their missionary work.
Continue Reading
Chapters 1-7 by Sister Mary Core, OSB
As we begin our study of the Acts we recall that it was written between 80-90 A.D. by Luke, a Syrian physician from Antioch and probable companion of Paul. Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
The annual Monastic Institute at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minn., provides a wonderful opportunity to study and reflect deeply on Benedictine spirituality for a few days every summer. Several of us usually go. I did last summer, and I’m still thinking about it. Continue Reading
How Christianity Spread by Sister Mary Core, OSB
For the next several weeks, I’ll be leading a discussion group on the Acts of the Apostles at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Coal Valley, Ill.
It seems easy enough to recap what we discuss here for you, too. Hope you enjoy it. Chime in if you wish!!! Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Brian Doyle calls humility “the final frontier” in a recent edition of Give Us This Day. Of course, I thought of Star Trek!
Other people might have had bleaker thoughts. Humility isn’t much revered by our culture. But it may be the final frontier! Continue Reading
By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
“If we take it for granted that storms will come and that at various junctures in our lives we will experience real hardship, then we can prepare ourselves to endure what comes and be ready to bounce back at the first opportunity … Storms do not last forever and even in the worst storms there are interludes of respite that enable us to catch our breath and continue the struggle.” Michael Casey, The Road to Eternal Life Continue Reading
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