Help

Come over here and help us -Acts 16:9

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In his vision, Saint Paul saw a Macedonian standing and calling to him to cross over and help them.  In several stories in the Bible, God conveys messages to His people through prophets in dreams and visions.  As experienced by Saint Paul, God wanted them to cross into Macedonia to spread the gospel.  This is Saint Paul’s story of faith.  After various types of persecution against Christians at that time, Paul became a follower of Jesus and even became His disciple.  Because of the faith and love that God had instilled in his heart since his conversion, Paul always put himself in prayer and fasting, so that God would always be willing to help him in his new mission and calling, after all what he done to Christians.

Learning from Saint Paul, we don't need to be complacent with what we have now.  Life's calling, inheritance, shortcomings, weaknesses, wealth, envies and despair, intelligence, knowledge and whatever, they are all tools given by God so that we can get closer and seek Him in any situation.   

Often it happens that we get used to live a free live without realizing that what we are enjoying, what we experience today, never escapes God's intervention.  Never let the bitterness of life such as failure, despair, revenge and anger or the pleasures of life such as abundant wealth, knowledge, friendship, a happy marriage, etc. make us lulled, drown and forget where it all came from.  

I believe that everything we experience happens according to His will.  God never allows us to be tested beyond the limits of patience.  Continue to be grateful for all life's events so that blessings will always be abundant in our path of life.

Reflection on Acts 16:1-15 by Sr Yanti Purnawati SFSC

Indonesian version: Konflik

Hal itu menimbulkan perselisihan yang tajam, sehingga mereka berpisah dan Barnabas membawa Markus juga sertanya berlayar ke Siprus - Kisah Para Rasul 15 : 39

 

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Manusia ialah makhluk sosial yang sering berhubungan dan tidak bisa hidup tanpa orang lain. Dalam relasi yang terbina ini selalu ada hal-hal yang memicu perbedaan pendapat dan perselisihan. Hal tersebut seringkali terjadi, dan merupakan hal yang biasa. Konflik merupakan hal yang baik, tetapi jika tidak diselesaikan dengan baik konflik tersebut akan menghancurkan sebuah hubungan yang baik. 

Paulus dan Barnabas juga berselisih tajam seperti yang tertulis pada bacaan kita hari ini. Konflik pun terjadi pada orang yang sudah dewasa secara Rohani. Inti persoalan mereka ialah kehadiran Markus dalam pelayanan mereka (ayat 37). Paulus mempersoalkan kesalahan yang dilakukan oleh Markus pada masa yang lampau (ayat 38). 

Barnabas ingin kembali menjalin hubungan yang baik dengan Markus dengan cara memberikan Markus kesempatan kedua. Tetapi hal tersebut justru menimbulkan perselisihan dengan Paulus. 

Kita belajar bagaimana manajemen konflik pada bacaan hari ini. Konflik diselesaikan dengan penuh kesabaran dan kedewasaan. Salah satu manajemen konflik yang digunakan yaitu win-win solution. Barnabas bisa bersama dengan Markus untuk melakukan pelayanan, dan Paulus pun tetap bisa melakukan pelayanan. 

Konflik tidak harus berakhir dengan buruk, konflik juga memberikan warna dan menjadi hal yang positif dalam sebuah organisasi maupun pelayanan. Pelayanan lebih efektif karena jangkauan pelayanan lebih luas karena mereka melayani di tempat yang berbeda sehingga lebih banyak menjangkau jemaat. 

Konflik membuat hubungan interpersonal lebih dinamis dan memunculkan kreativitas baru. Tuhan kiranya memampukan kita melihat sisi baik dari tiap konflik yang hadir dalam hidup kita. Amin. 

 

Kisa Para Rasul 15 : 30 – 41 oleh Meist

(Dengarkan podcastnya disini)

Dissensio | Disagreement | EN | IN

They had a sharp disagreement, so that they parted company. Barnabas took along Mark and sailed away to Cyprus - Acts 15:39 

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Conflict Management 

Humans are social creatures who often interact and cannot live without others. In the established relationships, there are always things that trigger differences of opinion and disputes. This often happens and it's quite normal. Conflict can be a good thing, but if it is not resolved properly, it can destroy a good relationship. 

Paul and Barnabas also had a sharp disagreement, as written in our reading today. Conflict can occur even among those who are spiritually mature. The core of their issues was the presence of Mark in their ministry (verse 37). Paul raised concerns about the mistake Mark made in the past (verse 38). Barnabas wanted to restore a good relationship with Mark by giving him a second chance. However, this led to a disagreement with Paul. We have learned about conflict management from our reading today. Conflicts were resolved with patience and maturity. One of the conflict management approaches is the win-win solution. Barnabas could work with Mark in the ministry, while Paul could continue his own ministry.

Conflict do not have to end badly. It can also add colour and be a positive aspect in the organization or in the ministry. The ministry becomes more effective because the outreach is broader as they serve in different places, thus reaching more congregants. 

Conflict makes interpersonal relationship more dynamic and fosters new creativity. May God enable us to see the good side of every conflict that arises in our lives. Amen. 

 

Reflection on Acts 15: 30 – 41 by Meist

(Listen to podcast here)

Onus | Burden

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things – Acts 15:28

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Today’s reading in Acts 15 is about the Jerusalem Council. This was one of the earliest Christian councils around 48-50 AD. The council of Apostles and Elders decided not to lay any further burdens on the new Gentile Christians. This council's decision is still important for us today in the modern world. 

The topic of burdens is something I’ve been thinking about a lot recently. What type of burdens do we lay on ourselves and also on other people in our lives. Do we need to let go of these burdens? If so, how do we get rid of these burdens. According to the Cambridge dictionary a burden is a duty or responsibility that is hard to bear. 

In the Christian classic book The Pilgrim’s Progress, the main character, Christian, carries a heavy burden on his back. It makes his journey slow. He suffers under the weight of it. When Christian comes to the cross, his burden falls from his back and tumbles down the hill. 

In Matthew we read: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). The yoke of our Lord Jesus is light and easy to carry because it is the yoke of repentance and faith followed by a commitment to follow Him and His commandments. As the apostle John says, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). Our Lord Jesus carried the burden that we were meant to carry. His perfect obedience and sacrifice for all our sin once at the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Acts 15 made me aware once again that our Lord Jesus Christ came not to lay burdens on us, but to take it away. His yoke is light. The Law of Moses was a heavy burden to carry, but Christ came to fulfil the law and to free us from heavy burdens.  In Romans 10:4 we read: “For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Reflection on Acts 15: 13-29 by Hanne

(Listen to podcast here)

Evangelium | The Good News

There they preached the Good News - Acts 14:7

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The reflection on this passage is important for understanding the importance to spread the LORD’s Word to poor people that live a miserable life far from FAITH. These people have to be involved in God’s army instead of joining in the evil’s pack. Also very important is to let everybody know that foolish things that seems important, are useless. I mean power, money, alcohol. These stuff are only distractions that appear important.

Put your energy and focus towards GOD. That means LOVE towards FAITH that means RIGHTNESS towards PERSEVERANCE that means RESILIENCE.

The LORD’s message is unique and has to be followed because the feeling is of love for us, that are his sons. It is never too late to understand this message. Stop chasing appearances and let your soul explains its spirituality by glorifying GOD.

Reflection on Acts 14: 1-12 by Ivan

(Listen to podcast here)

Door of faith

When they had arrived and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations - Acts 14:27

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I remember a time when I was asked to help organize an event. After everything came together beautifully, someone publicly praised me for the success. For a moment, I felt proud, even tempted to soak in the applause. But deep down, I knew it wasn't just my work—it was a team effort, guided by God's hand. That experience taught me about the importance of humility and redirecting the spotlight to where it truly belongs.

 

Reading Acts 14:13-28, I'm reminded of this lesson. When Paul and Barnabas healed a man in Lystra, the crowd thought they were gods. Imagine how overwhelming that must have been—people ready to worship you, offering sacrifices in your honor. But Paul and Barnabas didn't hesitate to correct them, tearing their clothes and shouting that they were just human like everyone else. They pointed the people to the living God instead.

 

Giving Glory Where It's Due

It's easy to take credit when things go well in our lives, but Paul and Barnabas show us how to redirect the glory to God. Their humility challenges us to ask: In our everyday successes, do we remember to point others to God? Whether it's at work, school, or home, how often do we acknowledge His hand in our achievements?

 

Staying Strong in Hard Times

Later in the story, Paul is stoned and left for dead. Yet, instead of giving up, he gets up and goes back into the city. It's a striking example of courage and resilience. Most of us won't face physical stoning, but we all encounter moments when life knocks us down—harsh words, failures, or tough circumstances. Paul's response encourages us to lean on God for strength and to keep going, even when the journey is tough.

 

Building Each Other Up

What stands out most to me is how Paul and Barnabas returned to encourage the believers in the cities where they had faced persecution. They didn't let fear stop them from strengthening others in their faith. It's a reminder of how much we need community. Who in our lives might need encouragement right now? How can we remind them that God is with them, even in their struggles?

 

Trusting God's Bigger Plan

At the end of the journey, Paul and Barnabas share how God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Their humility and trust in God's work are inspiring. Sometimes, we don't see immediate results from our efforts, and it's easy to feel discouraged. But this passage reminds us that the results are in God's hands, and He is always at work, even when we don't realize it.

 

Living the Lesson

This story challenges us to:

• Stay humble, giving glory to God in our achievements.
• Persevere in faith when things get tough.
• Encourage and build up the people around us.
• Trust God's plan, knowing He is working even in ways we can't see.

 

Like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to share God's love, face challenges with courage, and lift each other up. Their journey may seem distant from our daily lives, but their lessons are as relevant today as they were then. Let's take those lessons to heart and live them out in our own unique paths.

Reflection on Acts 14:13-28 by Marlon Bobier Vargas, SVD

 

Set free

"Let it be known to you therefore, my brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you; by this Jesus everyone who believes is set free from all those sins from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses." – Acts 13: 38-39

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, the context of today's passage is that St. Paul, along with his companion Barnabas, is preaching to the Jews in Antioch at the synagogue. St. Paul is trying to convince the crowd in the synagogue about the greatness of the person of Jesus.  Jesus is greater than their ancestors David and Moses.  King David after his death experienced corruption, but Jesus did not. God raised Jesus without experiencing corruption. The laws given through Prophet Moses by God for the people could not set them free from all sins but Jesus could.

St. Paul makes it very clear that those who believe in the person of Jesus; there is forgiveness of sins. Jesus has the power to forgive our sins however big they may be. There is hope in the person of Jesus. The love of Jesus has no limitations. The only condition St. Paul is giving us to believe in Jesus and trust in him. As human beings we know how fragile and weak we are and at times we fail to have hope. The hope that we have is that Jesus can set us free from any clutches of sin.

St. Paul also tells the Jews that it is not easy to believe, but those who believe will see the miracles. Dear friends, let us also believe in the person of Jesus and see the miracles in our lives. Only Jesus can set us free.  We have only one Savior. Let us also ask Jesus to forgive us all our sins and set us free from all the bondages of sin.

 

Reflection on the Acts of the Apostles 13: 36-43 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

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

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