Monday, May 27, 2013
Paul and James in Jerusalem
Dear Friends,
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (21:15-26):
After these days we made preparations for our journey, then went up to Jerusalem. Some of the disciples from Caesarea came along to lead us to the house of Mnason, a Cypriot, a disciple of long standing, with whom we were to stay. When we reached Jerusalem the brothers welcomed us warmly. The next day, Paul accompanied us on a visit to James, and all the presbyters were present. He greeted them, then proceeded to tell them in detail what God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry. They praised God when they heard it but said to him,
“Brother, you see how many thousands of believers there are from among the Jews, and they are all zealous observers of the law. They have been informed that you are teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to abandon Moses and that you are telling them not to circumcise their children or to observe their customary practices. What is to be done? They will surely hear that you have arrived. So do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow. Take these men and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses that they may have their heads shaved. In this way everyone will know that there is nothing to the reports they have been given about you but that you yourself live in observance of the law. As for the Gentiles who have come to believe, we sent them our decision that they abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage.”
So Paul took the men, and on the next day after purifying himself together with them entered the temple to give notice of the day when the purification would be completed and the offering made for each of them.
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Yesterday was the Feast of the Blessed Trinity. I prayed for all of you that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you all and give you all the graces you need to walk with God.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord, the Son of God, given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Pray every day, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who have offered yourselves totally to Me. Be ready to follow My plans, for you all have a special mission. Saint Paul was called to go to Jerusalem and many prophets were telling Saint Paul that he would be arrested and thrown into prison in Jerusalem, but he did not worry about that. I had called him there through the power of the Holy Spirit and he never turned back. He went through a purification when he arrived and he would go to the temple and make an offering once the purification was completed.
“I ask you all, My brothers and sisters, to offer yourselves completely to Me to do only My will. I will guide you along the right path and give you all the graces and gifts that you need, so that you will daily walk up the mountain in order to have this great union with Me. I bless you all and I love you.”
Father Melvin