Doubts | EN |

Go with them without any doubts - Acts 11:12

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Our life in this world is a mission.  Yes, God sent each one us into the world with a mission that He has carried out since we were still in our mother's womb.  God’s works are difficult for us to understand.  He entrusts each of us with tasks that do not exceed our capabilities. If sometimes our life is so difficult, God certainly has a purpose, which is our total surrender and trust to Him. We must rely on Him in all our situations.  None of us can choose to be born in a good family, to be born in a country or place that we liked.  There are many other things that only God himself knows for sure why we were born and sent to the place where we are now.  

Yes, of course we are sent with a mission that God has entrusted us with.  One day, if our life's pilgrimage ends in this world, He will demand accountability.  There is no life situation that is too difficult if we always remain firm and put God in all God's plans and will.  We are asked to fully trust God without the slightest hesitation.

John baptized us with water, but you will be baptized with the holy Spirit (Acts 11:16). How God poured out such great love for mankind that the Holy Spirit covered our sinfulness by sending the Holy Spirit at baptism and we are considered His own children.  

Why do we still hesitate and doubt all the love that God has given us?  This reflection reminds us to take a moment and reflect on the mission that God has entrusted to us. We are grateful to have been given family, friends, relatives and everyone who always loves us.  Keep going my dear brothers and sisters with feelings of abundant gratitude. Don't worry and doubt anymore, God is always waiting around.  Amen

Reflection on Acts 11:1-18 by Sr Yanti Purnawati SFSC

In omni gente | Every nation | EN |

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right"- (Acts 10:34-35)

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God does not show favoritism. He directs His Word and sends His Spirit to people regardless of their origin, culture, wealth or life situation. Often also at people whom others would classify as unworthy of this grace. "For the Lord sees not as man sees" (1 Sam 16:7). He is the Lord of all and does not want the death and destruction of anyone but wants to bring everyone to Himself.

His Word and Spirit are also intended for us. Sometimes we may feel that we do not deserve it because of our sins, behaviours, thoughts, or life situation. Even if it seems to us that we are far from Him, He is our Lord and He addresses His Word of salvation to us too and wants to send us His Spirit. 

The question is whether we are open to Him, just as the Gentiles that Peter came to were open. If we allow the Spirit to come to us, He will work in us. And when God works in us, it will also be visible to others. We ourselves can also become His witnesses.

Reflection on Acts 10:34-48 by Agata Wierzbowska

(Listen to podcast here)

Religiosus | Devout man | EN |

"He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God." – Acts 10:2

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, as we live in a multi-religious context. Today's Bible passage is an eye-opener for each one of us. We come across a man whose name is Cornelius who was a centurion of the Italian Cohort. It is mentioned in that passage that he was a God- fearing man who gave alms to the people and also constantly prayed to God. I am sure that you all must have come across such a person in your life who is not a Christian. People who are sincere and genuine in their relationship with God. Genuine prayers from the heart are always answered by God which we read in Acts 10:4 –"Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God."

In this passage we can see how the Holy Spirit is leading Cornelius in the right direction in following God. The Holy Spirit is asking Peter to visit the family of Cornelius without any hesitation. Peter being a Jew and Cornelius being a Gentile it was not possible for both of them to meet each other. But the Holy Spirit is opening up the heart of Peter to take us to this challenge. The outcome of this visit is that the whole family of Cornelius became strong followers of Jesus.

Let us be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God wants us to lead many more Corneliuses to him. Once we co-operate with God, he can make use of us as his instruments to bring many people closer to him. Just like Cornelius, let us also raise up our genuine prayers constantly to God. Amen.

 

Reflection on Acts 10: 1-33 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

(Listen to podcast here)