August 11, 2014
James on Dietary Law
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 15, 13 – 21:
After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentles a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:
‘After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David;
from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.
Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things, known from of old.’
It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”
A lady from PEI phoned me one day and asked me if I would go to her house and pray with her. She had ovarian cancer. I went to her house and prayed with her and then she went for a cat scan and they found out that there was only dying tissue. The Lord had worked another miracle and I thanked Him with all my heart.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I call you to follow Me My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who love Me and have great faith in Me. I am your Brother who gave His life for your salvation. At the famous Council of Jerusalem, all the members listened to the Apostle James as he spoke to them. He told them that I, your Savior, want to save all the people of the world and that includes the Gentiles. However, they do not have to become Jews in order to be saved as some of the Pharisees were teaching. James taught that what the Gentiles should do was to turn away from idols, from unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals and blood. If they do this then they will be blessed. What the Gentiles have to do is to follow Me and do what I have taught them. Indeed many Gentiles did become Christians and they lived a holy life with all the graces I gave them. Do what they did and you too will be holy and I will come and bring you to your heavenly home. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. It was cloudy for most of the day on Sunday but it did not rain. It will be sunny tomorrow and it will be warm.