Tagged: message of the day

“Lord, why is it that You will reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” –John 14:22 Jesus had told His disciples the world would not accept His revelation (Jn 14:17), but He would reveal Himself to His disciples (Jn 14:21). His disciple Jude asked Jesus why He would reveal Himself to the disciples, but not to the world (Jn 14:22). This is a good question. Jesus does reveal Himself to the world, but it doesn’t fully listen to Him. Many listen to Jesus without hearing, and look without seeing (Mt 13:14-15). Those who have received Jesus’ revelation are...

“I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must lead them, too, and they shall hear My voice. There shall be one flock then, one shepherd.” ––John 10:16 Jesus and St. Paul each stated the Gentiles were destined for a new relationship with Israel and the Jewish people (see Mt 12:18; cf Rm 11:25). Why is this important? To begin to answer that question, read Acts Chapter 10, and then reread today’s passage from Acts 11:1-18. You’ll learn details about the Roman centurion Cornelius “who was religious and God-fearing. The same was true of his whole...

“After being released, the two went back to their own people.” –Acts 4:23 The Church has completed the eight-day celebration of the Octave of Easter. We have been celebrating Jesus’ Resurrection after three days in the tomb. When Jesus rose from the tomb, He returned to His followers. He then acted with great power, teaching the Scriptures and conferring the Holy Spirit in a life-changing way (see Lk 24:32). Sts. Peter and John imitated Jesus’ pattern when they were set free after being held captive. Upon “being released, the two went back to their own people” (Acts 4:23). Together, they...

“It is His name, and trust in this name, that has strengthened the limbs of this man whom you see and know well.”–Acts 3:16 The name of Jesus has ultimate power. In Jesus’ name, the lame walk (Acts 3:6ff). At the name of Jesus, every knee must bow, in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth (Phil 2:10-11). “There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be saved” (Acts 4:12). No wonder the secular world removes pictures of Jesus from its...

“They hurried away from the tomb half-overjoyed, half-fearful.” –Matthew 28:8 “Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid!’ ” –Matthew 28:10 When the first followers of Jesus learned that He had risen, some were half-overjoyed and half-fearful (Mt 28:8). This divided reaction still occurs today. When we first encounter the risen Jesus, we rejoice with great joy. Yet we also realize quickly that risen life brings new challenges and new responsibilities, especially in evangelization. Satan couldn’t prevent the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, so now he is reduced to trying to stop us from spreading the Good News that...