Ieiunantes | Fasted | EN |

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

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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

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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.

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Pulsans | Knocking | EN |

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished - Acts 12:16 (KJV)

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After Peter was freed from prison in a miraculous way, he came to a closed door of Mark’s mother’s house. He had to knock, and keep on knocking, before the other disciples came to the door. What a frustration it must have been! Knocking is related to hope. When you knock on a door, you have hope. A hope of seeing someone, a hope of speaking to someone, a hope of being with someone in their home.

In the New Testament, our Lord Jesus often teaches about knocking. In Luke 11:9 we read: “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” We also read in John 10:9, our Lord Jesus says: "I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out and will find pasture." So we should also knock on our Lord Jesus' door and He will give us eternal life and peace in the green pastures.

Our Lord Jesus Christ himself say that He stands at the door and knock. In Revelation 3: 20 we read: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me." At first this looks like a verse written to unbelievers. However, this verse was in a letter to the church in Laodicea, it’s written to believers.

Jesus Christ calls us to hear His voice and open our heart’s door for Him to come in. We always have a choice. He leaves it up to us whether we hear His voice, open the door and invite Him in or not.

Reflection on Acts 12:12-25 by Hanne

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In carcere | In prison | EN |

So Peter was kept in prison: but the church made strong prayer to God for him -Acts 12:5

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I deem this passage is really strong. It describes how FAITH in GOD is important to face every problem. Being sure that the LORD will provide to help us in this earthly life or in heaven. This feeling is fundamental to solve every problem we find walking on our path.

If you are afraid or scared of something, you won’t be ready to see the LORD giving the opportunity to step out from your troubles.

Being positive is basic to fill our soul of good feelings. In order to be ready to grasp the LORD’s hand in the right moment. Believing to achieve our mission is the first step to get success in whatever we are dreaming to do.

GOD is with people that know where are love, peace, brotherhood and faith. GOD never let anyone walk alone. GOD is always with us. Amen

Reflection on Acts 12:1-11 by Ivan

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Kabar Baik

Akan tetapi, beberapa orang dari Siprus dan Kirene pergi ke Antiokhia dan mulai berbicara kepada orang-orang Yunani juga, memberitakan kabar baik tentang Tuhan Yesus - Kisah Para Rasul 11:20 (NIV)

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Setelah Stefanus terbunuh, penganiayaan berlanjut dan membuat orang-orang percaya tersebar ke Fenisia, Siprus, dan Antiokhia. Mereka tidak hanya melarikan diri tetapi mereka terus menyebarkan Kabar Baik tentang Tuhan Yesus. Beberapa orang dari Siprus dan Kirene pergi ke Antiokhia dan mulai berbicara kepada orang-orang Yunani (non-Yahudi). Tangan Tuhan menyertai mereka dan sejumlah besar orang percaya dan berbalik kepada Tuhan.

Gereja di Yerusalem mengutus Barnabas, seorang yang baik, penuh dengan Roh Kudus dan iman, ke Antiokhia. Dia sangat senang atas kemajuan itu dan mendorong mereka untuk tetap setia pada iman mereka kepada Yesus Kristus. Dia kemudian pergi ke Tarsus, mencari Saulus dan membawanya ke Antiokhia. Di sana mereka tinggal selama setahun untuk mengajar orang-orang. Di Antiokhialah para pengikut Yesus pertama kali disebut "Kristen". 

Penganiayaan tidak dapat menghentikan iman orang-orang percaya. Saya percaya itu karena mereka tahu apa yang mereka miliki di dalam Yesus lebih dari segalanya. Bagi mereka yang percaya kepada-Nya, Dia tidak hanya memberikan hidup kekal di surga, tetapi Dia memberikan otoritas atas setan, penyakit, perlindungan dan kemampuan baru (Markus 16: 15-18). Bahkan kematian tidak lagi menakutkan karena Yesus berkata, "Akulah kebangkitan dan hidup; barangsiapa percaya kepada-Ku, ia akan hidup walaupun ia sudah mati; dan barangsiapa hidup oleh iman kepada-Ku, ia tidak akan mati selama-lamanya. Percayakah engkau akan hal ini?" (Yohanes 11:25-26). 

Yesus membebaskan kita dari segala beban. Anda tidak harus melakukan hal-hal baik untuk masuk surga. Dia menyelamatkan kita ketika kita masih berdosa (Roma 5:8). Tetapi kasih-Nya akan mengubah Anda, Anda adalah ciptaan baru di dalam Dia (Gal 6:14-16). Yesus berkata kepada orang-orang Yahudi yang percaya kepada-Nya, "Jikalau kamu tetap dalam firman-Ku, kamu benar-benar adalah murid-Ku dan kamu akan mengetahui kebenaran, dan kebenaran itu akan memerdekakan kamu." (Yohanes 8:31-32). 

Sudahkah kita tinggal di dalam Yesus Kristus dan firman-Nya? Artinya, tidak menambah pemahaman kita dengan sumber atau pendapat lain, tetapi hanya mengikuti Firman Tuhan. Hanya ketika kita sudah melakukannya, kita akan menemukan kemerdekaan yang sejati, bahwa kita mampu memiliki iman bahkan di tengah penderitaan dan tantangan yang sulit dan secara otomatis menyebarkan Kabar Baik ke seluruh dunia. Semoga Roh Kudus membantu kita semua. Amin.

Renungan Kisah Para Rasul 11: 19-30 oleh Desire Litaay

(Dengarkan podcastnya disini)

Verbum Bonum | The good news | EN | IN

Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus  -Acts 11:20 NIV

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After Stephen was killed, the persecution continued and made the believers scatter to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch. They did not just run away but they kept spreading the Good News about the Lord Jesus. Some men from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks (gentiles). The Lord's hand was with them and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 

The church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas, a good man, full of Holy Spirit and faith, to Antioch. He was so glad for that progress and encouraged them to remain true to their faith in Jesus Christ. He then went to Tarsus, looked for Saul and took him to Antioch. There they stayed for a year teaching people. It was in Antioch when the disciples at the first time were called "Christians".

The persecution could not stop the believers' faith. I believe it was because they knew what they had in Jesus was more than anything. To those who believe in Him, He does not only give an eternal life in heaven, but He gives authorities over satans, sicknesses, protections and new abilities (Mark 16: 15-18). Even death is not scary anymore as Jesus said "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26).

Jesus frees us from all burdens. You do not have to perform good things to go to heaven. He saved us when we were still sinners (Rome 5:8). But His love will change you, you are a new creation in Him (Gal 6:14-16). Jesus said to the Jews who believed in Him "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32). 

Have we abode in Jesus Christ and His words? It means not adding our understanding with other sources or opinions, but following the Word of God solely. Only when we already have, we will discover that real freedom, that we are able to have the faith even among sufferings and difficult challenges and automatically spread the Good News to the world. May the Holy Spirit help us all. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 11: 19-30 by Desire Litaay

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Haesitans | 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

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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

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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

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