Lumen gentium | Instrument of Light

I have made you a light to the Gentiles that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth - Acts 13:47.

The Second Vatican Council in 1965 reaffirmed the need for the missionary activity of the Church. Its decree Ad gentes says that evangelization is one of the fundamental missions. This document calls for the formation of strong Christian communities and strong relations with the Christians.

As the Bible Sharing Group, we preach the Good News around the world. As one community of Christians from many countries, we keep sharing our reflections on the Word of God. We fulfill this ministry because we care for other Christians and for one another. 

The divine Word encourages us to be a light to our brothers and sisters. We want to become a light for Jesus every day as B.F. Sims wrote in his hymn. So we keep our lamps burning so that all may see and hear about our love towards Jesus Christ. We pray for the world not to be in darkness but in the light of the Gospel.  Through our ministry, we make this light shine all the world around us (see: www.hymnary.org). 

In this way, we also become an instrument in the hands of our Lord as Paul and Barnabas were in ancient times. Our goal is to gather the whole world to hear God's word. So we do not give up but invite new friends to join us and share their reflections. Although many people do not care about the Scriptures and our ministry, some are delighted when they read our blog Sacer esto, and listen to our podcast Vox Verbi Divini on Spotify and other platforms. 

Consequently, the ends of the earth can get the Good News and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ. They are destined for eternal life through the love of the divine Word. Therefore, we are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. 

Reflection on Acts 13: 44-52 by Józef

(Listen to podcast here)

Ieiunantes | Fasted | EN |

So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off - Acts 13:3

Photo by Pexels.com

This chapter of the Acts underlines two main points. The first is the mentioning of the new name of Paul for the first time. In fact, Paul (previously known as Saul) who at this point has already had is Damascene conversion, is now being commissioned to go into the world and bring the word of Jesus to the Gentiles and to everyone, so no longer just to the Jews alone. This is an important point in time, as it signifies the start of a new era in terms of evangelistic expansion; because the word of Jesus is brought to those who were not born as part to the original Covenant.

The second point is a reminder of the practice of fasting, which is a traditional practice that accompanies prayer. For the early Christians, prayer is accompanied by fasting, so as to align the body with the spirit. This goes back to Jewish practices also. 

Fasting is mentioned by Jesus in the Gospel several times. Pointing out that it should be just between us and God, not to boast about it with others. In Matthew  6: 17-18: "And when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting  may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father  who sees in secret will reward you."

To signify how much we do need God, but when we are comfortable, we do not feel we need God so much. Mark 2:20: "The days will come when the Bridegroom will be taken from them, and they will fast in that day."

To allude how powerful our prayer can be when we fast:  Mark 9: 29: "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting."

Of course, fasting does not necessarily means food alone. It can be anything we take comfort in. In renouncing it for a while, we are aligning our body with our spirit in prayer.

Reflection on Acts 13: 1-16 by Giulia

(Listen to podcast here)

Proclaiming | Evangelizamus

We ourselves are proclaiming this good news - Acts 13:22 (ABN).

Last week I participated in a workshop where 6 people shared their lives. They shared their problems and difficulties with other people. There were many sad stories and a lot of pain. We tried to find solutions to their issues.

It was also Mission Week in the Catholic Church. These days we become missionaries to the whole world. We proclaim the good news. But many of us focus on ourselves and our problems. We humans forget about the whole world because it is too big. So, we prefer to think about our small worlds and small arguments with others.

Obviously, there are solutions to our small problems. But usually, the best solution is to change our perspective. We don't need to stay in the center of the universe. There should be a place for Jesus Christ and his Good News about salvation, peace, love, etc.

Can we forget about ourselves for a while?

From Chapter 13 of Acts of Apostles, we learn that Paul is not sharing about his own life. He describes the power of God's grace in the lives of others like Abraham, King Saul, David, a man after God's heart, John the Baptist, and many others. Apostle Paul is a mature person who does not need to focus on himself anymore. He can put Jesus Christ, the Word of God, in the center of his story.

What about you? Are you ready for the same? Or are you still struggling and suffering? Maybe as a Christian, you forget about Christ. Your life is not more important than Jesus' story.

God the Father promised to raise you up from the death of your sins and weaknesses. Besides, he promised the benefits of the death and resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ. You are his beloved child and his holy will be fulfilled also in your life if only you let him be in the center.  

Reflection on Acts 13:16-35 by Józef Trzebuniak.

(Listen to podcast here)