Thursday, May 16, 2013
Saint Paul at Beroea and Athens
Dear Friends,
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (17:10-21):
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas to Beroea during the night. Upon arrival they went to the synagogue of the Jews. These Jews were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all willingness and examined the scriptures daily to determine whether these things were so. Many of them became believers, as did not a few of the influential Greek women and men. But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had now been proclaimed by Paul in Beroea also, they came there too to cause a commotion and stir up the crowds. So the brothers at once sent Paul on his way to the seacoast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. After Paul’s escorts had taken him to Athens, they came away with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he grew exasperated at the sight of the city full of idols. So he debated in the synagogue with the Jews and with the worshipers, and daily in the public square with whoever happened to be there. Even some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers engaged him in discussion. Some asked, “What is this scavenger trying to say?” Others said, “He sounds like a promoter of foreign deities,” because he was preaching about ‘Jesus’ and ‘Resurrection.’ They took him and led him to the Areopagus and said, “May we learn what this new teaching is that you speak of? For you bring some strange notions to our ears; we should like to know what these things mean.” Now all the Athenians as well as the foreigners residing there used their time for nothing else but telling or hearing something new.
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Please continue to pray for the intentions of Our Lady of Prince Edward Island.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord, the Son of God, given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Never give up, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who have given your life to Me. Yes, there are problems that you have to face, but remember that I am there to help you. Paul faced many difficult problems especially from the Jews but there was always a way out. His friends protected him and they would take him to another town and he could start again to preach the Good News. I was there helping him every day.
“What you see these days is that many people when faced with difficult problems fall into great despair. Many commit suicide thinking that this is the only way out. This is because they do not have faith in Me. If they had faith, they would come to Me and ask for My help, and I would surely help them and strengthen their courage and fill them with My peace and love. It is so important for all of you to be close to Me so that I may give you the strength and the courage to overcome these problems you face now and then. Remember I have all power, for I am the Son of God and I love you all. I want to help you so pray and call upon My help. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin