Monday, March 12, 2012
Paul at Ephesus
Dear Friends,
Please read the passage below from the Acts of the Apostles (19:1-12):
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and came down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Altogether there were about twelve men. He (Paul) entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the kingdom of God. But when some in their obstinacy and disbelief disparaged the Way before the assembly, he withdrew and took his disciples with him and began to hold daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years with the result that all the inhabitants of the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord, Jews and Greeks alike. So extraordinary were the mighty deeds God accomplished at the hands of Paul that when face cloths or aprons that touched his skin were applied to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
I am spending time these days to prepare for the retreat I will give in Rogersville at the end of the week. It will start on Friday evening and end on Sunday at noon. On April 10, I will leave for a pilgrimage to Europe, starting in Poland, then to the Czech Republic, then to Italy and Medjugorje. I will spend 17 days in Europe.
(Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Redeemer given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words.)
“I call you, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters living throughout the world, to read the Acts of the Apostles and to find out what St. Paul did during his years as an Apostle of mine. I gave him great gifts and through these gifts the people began to believe in Me and to enter My Church. Paul brought many, many people in the Church. The Holy Spirit worked wonderfully with him.
During the season of Lent is the time that many people are preparing themselves to become members of My Church. Many will be baptized or make their commitment to Me as a member of the Church. Pray for all those who will become full members of My Church at Easter that they will follow Me all their days on earth. My great desire is to welcome them all in heaven. This is a time to atone for your sins and to prepare your heart, your soul and your mind for the great Feast of Easter. It is the Feast of My resurrection from the dead after three days in the tomb. I love you, My brothers and sisters, and fill you with all the graces you need to remain always close to Me.”
Father Melvin