Friday, May 10, 2013
Letter of the Apostles
Dear Friends,
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (15:22-35):
Then the apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. This is the letter delivered by them:
“The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. Since we have heard that some of our number who went out without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: ‘It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’”
And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation. Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted and strengthened the brothers with many words. After they had spent some time there, they were sent off with greetings of peace from the brothers to those who had commissioned them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming with many others the word of the Lord.
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Yesterday we had a little bit of rain and we should have some more during the day today.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord, the Son of God, given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“You are called to listen to the Holy Spirit, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters living in every country of the world. The Holy Spirit speaks through the Church, especially through Ecumenical Councils like the Council of Jerusalem. It is the Holy Spirit who told the Apostles and the priests to write a letter to the Gentiles, especially those living in Antioch and the surrounding places. They had been told that if they wanted to become Christians, they needed to learn and follow the Jewish laws given by Moses. At the Council they decided that it was not necessary to follow the Mosaic Law but all I had told the Apostles. The decision of the Council was very well accepted by the Gentile Christians. All of you who are not Jews are still following today what was decided by the Council. I bless you all and I call you to remain united to Me.”
Father Melvin