Apostle for the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman: Photeini
Acts 11:19-26, 29-30, especially vs. 21: "And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord."
The British poet, William Cowper, first penned the well-known line: "God
moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform." The present passage
from Acts reveals the diverse way in which God illumines our darkness so
that too often we fail to see or respond to His hand at work (Is. 41:20). For example, some members of the early Church resisted bringing
the Gospel to Gentiles, contrary to the Lord Jesus' mandate that all
ethnic group are to be discipled and joined to the Church (Mt. 28:19).
While the Apostle Peter focused his ministry principally on Jews, still
God led even him to a group of Gentiles to preach to them and Baptize
them (Acts 10:9-48). Following the stoning of Stephen, God also used
the scattering of Greek-speaking, Jewish disciples to reach Gentiles.
At Antioch, God moved some Hellenized disciples to speak "...to the
Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:19-20). News of this
prompted the Jerusalem Church to send Barnabas to Antioch. In turn,
when he saw "...the grace of God..."(vs. 23), he "...departed for Tarsus
to seek Saul" (vs. 25), and brought that former foe of the Church, and
Her future Apostle to the Gentiles, into Her assemblies where they
"...taught a great many people" (vs. 26).
Do you see how diverse is the way of God in His disciples' lives? Be
encouraged and take notice; for your Lord is active in all aspects of
your life, perhaps in a conflict you now face, in persecution you once
endured, in exile from your land or family of origin, during job-related
travel or when you are at home, in formal interviews and during small
talk, in planned meetings or chance encounters. He is at work in your
disposition and temperament - either in your willingness or your
unwillingness. The point is that nothing in your life remains outside
His purview. That is the character of the way of the Lord, to be
everywhere present and filling all things. Be attentive to what He is
doing and saying for you in every moment.
Certain Holy Fathers of the Church are called "neptic," or "watchful."
Their lives and teaching are reminders to be alert to the way of the
Lord at all times. Archimandrite Ioannikios reminds us concerning
"...three giants of the devil, who demolish the spiritual life...to its
very foundation..
reassures you also, that "Watchfulness.
these three treacherous malefactors.
Father Ioannikios goes on to teach that "The Christian can stay free
from the bonds of forgetfulness and ignorance, but that is not enough
for an awakened conscience. In the spiritual life theory and practice
go together. The Christian also is industrious, diligent in the working
of the divine Commandments.
possible to obey Christ.
Take the case of Barnabas in the present reading. Why do you think the
Church in Jerusalem sent him out? Was it not his record of industry?
When the Church there had care for many who were in need, he sold his
land "...and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet" (Acts
4:37). Was that not diligence? Why else would the Church in Jerusalem
select him to be sent out "...to go as far as Antioch" (Acts 11:22)?
Clearly he worked the Commandments of God in seeking Saul, finding him,
and bringing him to Antioch (vss. 25,26).
Attentiveness and watchfulness are gifts of the Holy Spirit, as revealed
by this account of Barnabas in Acts: "For he was a good man, full of the
Holy Spirit and of faith" (vs. 24). And this grace is yours if you
will, for such is the way of the Lord. As St. Seraphim says: "The grace
of the Holy Spirit is the light which enlightens man," and His light is
meant to be yours!
O Holy Spirit, mysterious Light, fill me with the streams of Thy knowledge!
The British poet, William Cowper, first penned the well-known line: "God
moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform." The present passage
from Acts reveals the diverse way in which God illumines our darkness so
that too often we fail to see or respond to His hand at work (Is. 41:20). For example, some members of the early Church resisted bringing
the Gospel to Gentiles, contrary to the Lord Jesus' mandate that all
ethnic group are to be discipled and joined to the Church (Mt. 28:19).
While the Apostle Peter focused his ministry principally on Jews, still
God led even him to a group of Gentiles to preach to them and Baptize
them (Acts 10:9-48). Following the stoning of Stephen, God also used
the scattering of Greek-speaking, Jewish disciples to reach Gentiles.
At Antioch, God moved some Hellenized disciples to speak "...to the
Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:19-20). News of this
prompted the Jerusalem Church to send Barnabas to Antioch. In turn,
when he saw "...the grace of God..."(vs. 23), he "...departed for Tarsus
to seek Saul" (vs. 25), and brought that former foe of the Church, and
Her future Apostle to the Gentiles, into Her assemblies where they
"...taught a great many people" (vs. 26).
Do you see how diverse is the way of God in His disciples' lives? Be
encouraged and take notice; for your Lord is active in all aspects of
your life, perhaps in a conflict you now face, in persecution you once
endured, in exile from your land or family of origin, during job-related
travel or when you are at home, in formal interviews and during small
talk, in planned meetings or chance encounters. He is at work in your
disposition and temperament - either in your willingness or your
unwillingness. The point is that nothing in your life remains outside
His purview. That is the character of the way of the Lord, to be
everywhere present and filling all things. Be attentive to what He is
doing and saying for you in every moment.
Certain Holy Fathers of the Church are called "neptic," or "watchful."
Their lives and teaching are reminders to be alert to the way of the
Lord at all times. Archimandrite Ioannikios reminds us concerning
"...three giants of the devil, who demolish the spiritual life...to its
very foundation..
reassures you also, that "Watchfulness.
these three treacherous malefactors.
Father Ioannikios goes on to teach that "The Christian can stay free
from the bonds of forgetfulness and ignorance, but that is not enough
for an awakened conscience. In the spiritual life theory and practice
go together. The Christian also is industrious, diligent in the working
of the divine Commandments.
possible to obey Christ.
Take the case of Barnabas in the present reading. Why do you think the
Church in Jerusalem sent him out? Was it not his record of industry?
When the Church there had care for many who were in need, he sold his
land "...and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet" (Acts
4:37). Was that not diligence? Why else would the Church in Jerusalem
select him to be sent out "...to go as far as Antioch" (Acts 11:22)?
Clearly he worked the Commandments of God in seeking Saul, finding him,
and bringing him to Antioch (vss. 25,26).
Attentiveness and watchfulness are gifts of the Holy Spirit, as revealed
by this account of Barnabas in Acts: "For he was a good man, full of the
Holy Spirit and of faith" (vs. 24). And this grace is yours if you
will, for such is the way of the Lord. As St. Seraphim says: "The grace
of the Holy Spirit is the light which enlightens man," and His light is
meant to be yours!
O Holy Spirit, mysterious Light, fill me with the streams of Thy knowledge!
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