July 21, 2014
Saul Visits Jerusalem
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 9, 23 – 30:
After a long time had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. Now they were keeping watch on the gates day and night so as to kill him, but his disciples took him one night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
When he arrived in Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. Then Barnabas took charge of him and brought to the Apostles, and he reported to them how on the way he had seen the Lord and that he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. He moved about freely with them in Jerusalem, and spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord. He also spoke and debated with the Hellenists, but they tried to kill him. And when the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him on his way to Tarsus.
I started to wear glasses when I was about 16 years old. I could not see far but I could read without glasses. I wore glasses for twenty years. In 1973 while I was in Zambia in Africa, one morning I was in church praying. Then all of a sudden I felt fire enter my eyes and it hurt but it did not last long only one or two seconds. I took of my glasses and rub my eyes and then when I look around the church without my glasses I could see very well everywhere. I then went outside to see if I would be able to see out there. I walked all around the church and I could see very well even in the distance. That day I threw away my glasses and never wore them again. I went to see a doctor in Canada when I came home and he told me that I had eyes like a child. My eyes were perfect. He told me that I will never need glasses. Now it is 37 years this year that I threw my glasses away and I still do not need them. I thank the Lord every day for healing my eyes.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I call you all especially you My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters to believe with all your heart what is written in the Bible. This is the Holy Book of God and all should read part of the Bible at least a few days a week.
After the conversion of St. Paul he stayed in Damascus for some time but the Jews there wanted to kill him so he left and went back to Jerusalem. The Christians were afraid of him because they had know all the horrible things he had done to destroy My Church. But Barnabas accepted him and brought him to the Apostles. He told them all about his conversion and about seeing Me, His Lord and Savior. Then he went about in Jerusalem teaching the people about Me. He also discussed with the Hellenists who are Jews and they wanted to kill Paul. So when the Christians heard this they took him out of Jerusalem and sent him on his way to Tarsus, a town in another country. Then he began his great missionary work.
Many of Saint Paul’s letters are part of the Bible and all are called to read these very instructive letters. This reading will help you to come to know Me better. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. We had a beautiful sunny day again and this afternoon I went on a boat ride in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. We fish mackerel and caught nearly 40 fish. I enjoyed my afternoon very much. Thank you Jesus for these great friends who took me with them on the sea.