Modus Operandi

Acts 13:13-34 (5/20)
Apostle for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Pascha

Modus Operandi: Acts 13:13-24, especially vss. 14, 15: "...they came to
Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and
sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers
of the synagogue sent to them, saying, 'Men and brethren, if you have
any word of exhortation for the people, say on.'"

St. Paul and his companions attended the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch
and followed a consistent pattern of missionary work exhibited
throughout Acts (e.g. 13:5; 14:1). Following arrival in a new
community, when the Sabbath came, the Apostolic teams attended services
at the synagogue or other gathering places of Jews for worship. There
are eight instances of this type of occurrence scattered through the Acts.

In the present day, numbers of visitors come to our churches to inquire
about the Faith. This passage from Acts reveals principles derived from
the Apostles concerning presentation of the Faith. Three stand out: 1)
use whatever existing, natural, and shared beliefs you may have with
those who want explanations of Orthodoxy, 2) consider the experience and
knowledge of those who come, and 3) keep the focus on the Lord and the
Gospel.

The very act of going to services on the Sabbath represented a conscious
effort by the Apostolic teams to connect with local people in the most
natural way possible. They did not go to the rulers of the synagogue
and ask to speak. Honestly and correctly they came as visiting, fellow
Jews. They used whatever opportunities developed from existing shared
beliefs and background. In your "meetings" with those who come to your
parish, seek to act as did St. Paul, beginning with what is known and
shared in belief, finding common ground that is obvious and natural, and
only later proceeding to what may be new or different.

If you establish a link with those who come seeking, they will much more
easily follow your presentation and hear the truths you have to share.
Notice: in St. Paul's statements, he began with the common, well-known
history of Israel (Acts 13:17-22). The effect of such an approach is to
affirm those who are listening so they may consider new truths and
overcome barriers and strangeness within an open atmosphere for learning.

Next, in St. Paul's opening words, he took into account the composition
of his audience. The Apostle saw immediately that, in addition to Jews,
there were present also "God-fearers" - Gentiles sympathetic to
Judaism. "God-fearers" were common in the first-century Greco-Roman
synagogues. The monotheism and morality of Judaism were drawing many
who were dissatisfied with the empty superstitions of paganism. Still,
there were barriers in Judaism that held off inquirers: circumcision,
the dietary laws, and the implicit rejection of their non-Jewish
heritage. In appropriate ways, be sensitive to and honest about any
notable differences among your listeners - consider age, social, and
religious affiliations, etc.

Even though today's reading presents only the opening lines of St.
Paul's speech (vss. 17-24), it is clear that the Apostle early turned
his message to a central point - the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior of all
mankind. Think about our churches. What is central in them? What
stands out above all else in our worship? Of course it is the Lord
Jesus Christ, our King and our God. His icons are central. In almost
every prayer, He is either named or addressed directly. In the Divine
Liturgy, the Holy Gifts are His true Body and Blood received for the
cleansing of our souls, the hallowing of our thoughts, the enlightenment
of our hearts - for our establishment in Him. As with St. Paul, be sure
you place the Lord Jesus Christ in primary focus before guests whenever
you share your Orthodox Christian Faith with them.

Lord, Thou art our life and salvation. Glory to Thee Who hast shown us
the Light!

The Holy Spirit

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Acts 12:25-13:12 (5/19)
Apostle for Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Pascha
The Holy Spirit: Acts 12:25-13:12, especially vs. 2:
"As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Now separate to Me
Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'"

While the Person and ministry of Christ our God constitute the subject
matter of the four Gospels, the Person of God the Holy Spirit and His
ministry dominate the early Church history found in the Acts of the
Apostles, for the Spirit is named in almost every chapter. In the few
chapters where He is not specifically identified, His presence and work
will be manifestly evident "between the lines" to any perceptive reader.

Look, for instance at Acts 14:9,23; 27:10.
The Acts passage assigned for today provides three examples of God the
Holy Spirit at work, ordaining, sending, and bestowing charisms. In each
of the cases, notice how carefully the Spirit of God carries out His
ministry - invariably in cooperation - in synergy with flesh-and-blood
human beings who are open to Him and seeking His graces. Should not this
be each of us!?

Take the ordination of Barnabas and Saul as Apostles: the infilling
action of the Holy Spirit came upon these two when they were already
serving as prophets and teachers, in ministries of the Church at Antioch
(Acts 13:1). They were well-known for their godliness and spiritual
illumination (Acts 9:19-20,27; 11:22-26). They provide a clear instance
of existing leaders moving from lesser to greater ministries. It is the
Spirit's way in Orthodox Christianity.

Next, observe the liturgical setting: "As they ministered to the Lord
and fasted..." (Acts 13:2) - or literally, "As they performed the
liturgy to the Lord and fasted...." The pattern continues today, for
Ordinations still occur within the context of the Divine Liturgy.
What about the fasting? It is not stated if their ordination occurred
during a fasting season or in anticipation of ordination. St. John
Chrysostom believed that it was for ordination. "A great, yes a great
good is fasting: it is circumscribed by no limits. When need was to
ordain, then they fast: and to them while fasting, the Spirit spake."
But heed his point about the worship and fasting - that "...there was
need of great sobriety." May such be your model for your life!
What does it mean, "...the Holy Spirit said..." (vs. 2)? God clearly has
instructed the Church to proclaim the Gospel to the nations (Mt. 28:19;
Acts 11:18). Obediently, in Antioch the Church did so; and their pagan
neighbors saw the Spirit working for "...a great number believed and
turned to the Lord" (Acts 11:21). Within the good order of the Church,
members and leaders of pure hearts still hear the Holy Spirit speaking
in their hearts; and they act in obedience.

What about the thousands and millions beyond Antioch? One does not have
to think long to understand why St. John Chrysostom believed there was a
"need to ordain." The Spirit was speaking to them by moving within their
hearts. No audible theophany was needed. Through their prophets and
teachers, they agreed in the Spirit as He poured wisdom upon them. They
opened themselves through worship and fasting, and the Spirit revealed
His candidates. The community heard and understood: these were "worthy."
Then, after additional fasting and prayer, they "...laid hands on
them..." (Acts 13:3) This is why our Bishops take candidates before us
and say, "Wherefore, let us pray for him, that the grace of the all-Holy
Spirit may come upon him."

The Holy Spirit, by ordination, sent them forth. Also, being men, they
needed His grace for ministry. But, since the Life-giving Spirit ever
"...completeth that which is wanting ...through the laying on of hands."
Thus, wherever Barnabas and Saul went, the Spirit guided them (Acts
13:4) with His charisms, His gifts of knowledge, and insight - even when
they met perversion (vs. 10). As St. John Chrysostom notes: "...it shows
that the Spirit did all."

Through communion with Thee, O Blessed Spirit, may we ever serve Christ
our Lord.

Living The Apostolic Life

Acts 12:12-17 (5/18)
Apostle for Monday of the Fifth Week of Pascha

Living The Apostolic Life: Acts 12:12-17 (include vss. 18-24),
especially vs. 12: "So, when [Peter] had considered this, he came to the
house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many
were gathered together praying."

We regularly asks Christ to heed the intercessions of the Apostles.
What a privilege to seek the prayers of the great Saint Peter, "...head
of the honored Apostles and rock of the Faith!" May his manner of life,
the quality of his spirit, and his intimate communion with the Lord
Jesus encourage us to beseech him to seek the salvation of our souls.
This passage from Acts further encourages us to imitate his actions,
that we might acquire something of his great virtues; for the Blessed
Chief Apostle reveals those basic apostolic traits which ought to mark
every Christian's manner of living: prudent reasoning, submission to one
another in love, and solicitude for the Church.

Consider St. Peter's situation described at the beginning of the present
reading. Without warning in the middle of the night, an angel left the
chief Apostle standing alone in the midst of a city with a hostile
population. He had to act; not being able to remain where he was -
around the corner from the prison out of which the angel had just
released him. "Where to go? What to do?" These questions had to be
sorted out. Once before, when he had been released supernaturally,
another angel had told him to show himself publicly in the Temple (Acts
5:20). That event had happened almost a decade earlier. Since then,
social and political conditions had changed and become much more ominous
for him. This time the angel gave him no instructions.

Take special note of Peter's deliberations in verses 11 and 12, and you
will see that his chief concern was God's will, yet he also used his own
prudent reasoning. He considered the facts (vs. 12): God had delivered
him from death at the hands of King Agrippa (vs. 11), the king who
already had murdered the Apostle James, son of Zebedee - to ingratiate
himself with the enemies of the Church (Acts 12:3). He himself had been
slated for death. Thus, where should he go now? He chose the home of
Mary, mother of John Mark (the future Evangelist Mark).

>From Mary's home he would be able to alert the head of the Jerusalem
Church, James "the Brother of the Lord," without going in person and
jeopardizing him if the authorities should go there! And observe that
"...many were gathered together praying..." (vs. 12). Note that Peter
stopped only briefly at this Christian gathering place.

Peter made an effort to contact James; but did so co-operatively, not
unilaterally. He arranged for messengers to inform James what he was
doing, perhaps even where he was going. How well he fit the admonition
of another Apostle, to be submitted "...to one another in the fear of
God" (Eph. 5:21)! The "chief" of the Apostles manifests humility,
obedience, and cooperation - the marks of true life in the Church. He
lived out the commandment of the Lord to you and all of us: "But he who
is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself
will be humbled; and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Mt. 23:11,
12).

Finally, notice how carefully Peter protected the little community. He
came to the door and knocked. When Rhoda ran to tell the others, he did
not raise his voice at being left outside, but quietly persisted in
knocking. He needed care for his safety, the little gathering, and.
James. Thus, when the Faithful came to the door, he did not go in, but
gave the message and left. Out of great solicitude, he left the city
altogether so as to place no unnecessary risk on anyone.

O Lord our God, grant that we may glorify Thee in the manner of Thy Holy
Apostles: by prudent reasoning illumined by Thy Holy Spirit, by
submitting ourselves to one another in love, and by solicitude for the
well-being of Thy Holy Church.