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.

The Way of the Lord:

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...forgetfulness, ignorance, and indolence;" but he
reassures you also, that "Watchfulness...shows itself much stronger than
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." You must be as energetic and diligent as
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!

Accepting Direction:

Apostle for Friday of the Fourth Week of Pascha

Acts 10:44-11:10 (include vss. 11-18), especially
vs. 9: "But the voice answered me again from heaven, 'What God has
cleansed you must not call common.'"

Often our worst enemies are our unexamined presuppositions, which lead
us to think that we understand what is happening when we do not. Thus,
we misjudge entire situations, and later discover that we were wrong and
failed to anticipate many key factors. Worst, our wrong presuppositions
can lead us to throw ourselves against reality - in an effort to force
life to conform to our ideas.

On the other hand, unexpected events often are our great opportunities
to gain humility and learn basic acceptance of the will of God.
Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow urges us to pray for the unexpected:
"Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of
soul and with the firm conviction that Thy will governs all."

The present passage from Acts records the first outpouring of the Holy
Spirit on non-Jews - Gentiles. The passage instructs us to accept God's
direction. God caused all who were present at the home of Cornelius to
"go beyond" their expectations. The Evangelist Luke reports that all
who were there accepted the evident will of God. St. John Chrysostom,
in commenting on what happened, observed: "Clearly the whole is of God;
and as for Peter, it may almost be said, that he is present only to be
taught the lesson with them."

St. Luke leaves no doubt: God, for His gracious reasons, took the
division between Jews and Gentiles into His Own hands in Caesarea.
Jewish Christian acceptance of Gentiles into their fellowship would
prove to be a serious strain on the relationship between ethnic Israel
and the Church (see Acts 10:21-33). Looking at these events from the
perspective of conservative Judaism, one can sympathize with the
astonishment of the Jewish Christians who came to Caesarea with the
Apostle Peter as they saw the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles.

Let their surprise remind us to examine our readiness to accept shifts
of direction, most of all when events abruptly contradict our human
certainty and established expectations. There is nothing wrong with
amazement. After all, this present existence is shaped both by visible,
tangible, earth-bound factors and by the ever-active, but unseen, hand
of God. As a Christian, expect life to produce wonder and awe as events
unfold: "For God is with us. Understand, O ye nations, and submit
yourselves: for God is with us."

Consider St. John Chrysostom's thought - that St. Peter was learning
along with the others present. The Apostle's response to the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit was to order Baptism for the Gentiles. His response
has much to say about accepting change. The Holy Spirit plainly
revealed the way to Peter. A spiritually mature man - which the Apostle
Peter surely was - knows immediately what next step to follow. That is
not surprising. Peter simply obeyed; for the Lord had told the Eleven,
"...make disciples of all nations, baptizing them..." (Mt. 28:19).
Learn to be discerning. When events move unexpectedly, ask, 'What does
God expect of me now?'

Finally, look further at the response of "those of the circumcision,"
the Jewish Christians still fettered by the ancient strictures of the
Law. They were astonished to see the Holy Spirit come upon Gentiles;
yet it seems that they assisted in the Baptisms (Acts 10:48).

Later, those not present felt right in challenging Peter (vs. 11:2).
They knew it is necessary to "...withdraw from every brother who walks
disorderly and not according to the tradition..." (2 Thess. 3:6).
"...the Faith once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3) is not to
be compromised. Still, the truly wise accept God's hand and follow His
lead (Acts 11:18).

O God, our God, illumine our souls and number us with Thy rational flock.

The Gospel: Thursday of the Fourth Week of Pascha

The Gospel: Acts 10:34-43, especially vs. 43: "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His Name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." The message that the Apostle Peter preached to a gathering of Gentiles in the home of the Centurion Cornelius was the "'...word which God sent to the children of Israel...'" (vs. 36). It is the word that Jesus of Nazareth proclaimed after the baptism preached by John (see vss. 37,38). That message was and is known as "the Gospel" (Mk. 1:1,14), or the Good News. St. Peter knew that, in preaching the Gospel to those with Cornelius, he was obeying a command of the Lord Jesus (vs. 42). He was certain also that it made no difference whether those who heard him were Jews or Gentiles (vss. 34,35) - the message is the best news for all people (Mt. 28:19). Pay close attention to the six points in the Apostle's message for its truths remain applicable for you and everyone from the Apostle's time and forever. As you review try reframing St. Peter's six points into questions to consider for your own life. 1) Saint Peter knew that God is forever concerned for everyone without respect to culture, race, ethnicity, language, or religion (vss. 34,35,42-43). Christian Faith is not inherently imperialistic, despite the fact that some have mistakenly sought to impose its truth on others. True, the Faithful in Christ are under mandate to disciple all nations without partiality (Mt. 28:19; Acts 10:34). Still the command does not imply force or hype. The Gospel is to be offered as a free gift (Rom. 5:15). Have you freely chosen to receive the Gospel yourself? 2) Many do not consider faith in Christ important. Others think God is a useful idea of someone is inclined toward "that sort of thing." But consider Peter's belief that God cares for everyone and ask yourself: "Do I believe that God is active in history, including my life? Do I believe that He truly is concerned about me and cares what I believe and do and say?" 3) From the Apostle Peter's perspective, the primary life-issue facing every person who has ever lived is the state of his relationship with God. Yes, the Saint also knew that everyone's relationship with God is significantly disrupted by sin (vss. 42,43). The disruption is significant for you because your broken relationship is with the One Who created you - He Who holds your life and eternal destiny in His hands. "Am I concerned about my sins against God?" 4) Lest you think the Christian message is simply an effort to "make people feel guilty," be assured that the Gospel, which St. Peter set forth in today's reading, firmly asserts that Jesus Christ is "...He Who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead" (vs. 42). The Gospel affirms that ultimately you will have to give an account to God for the sins that have broken your relationship with Him. "Am I concerned about what I will say to God when I stand before the dread Judgment seat of Christ?" 5) The outstanding element in the good news of the Gospel that the Apostle preaches is this: the Judge you will face, Jesus Christ, is the "...Lord of all" (vs. 36), the Person of God accepting, loving,  forgiving, and healing, and freeing you and everyone from demonic compulsions (vss. 38,43). Is my heart seeking Christ as my God and Savior, praying for Him to prompt me to repent, accept me, and move me to fear God and work righteousness (see vs. 35)? 6) What St. Peter proclaimed in Caesarea is a message for everyone - those who read of his meeting with Cornelius and those who do not. Consider what he preached, be honest and ask, 'Do I fear God so that I am willing to humble myself before the Lord Jesus, believe in His promises, cry out for His forgiveness, and work with Him to renew my way of life?' (see vs. 43). Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!

Standing Firm In Conflict:

Apostle for Saturday of the Fourth Week of Pascha

Acts 12:1-11, especially vs. 1: "Now about
that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the
Church."

Here is a record of an early, politically-motivated assault against the
Church: "The kings of the earth were aroused...against the Lord..." (Ps.
2:2). The mention of "Herod the king" places the events described here
just after A.D. 41, for in that year, Claudius, the Roman Emperor,
enlarged Herod Agrippa's kingdom in southern Syria and Galilee to
include Judea, and Agrippa moved his Capital to Jerusalem.

For thirty seven years, Judea had been directly under Roman control with
all agents of government answering directly to the Imperial procurators,
Pontius Pilate being the most well-known. With the return of Herod
Agrippa as king, the growing tension between ethnic Israel and the
Church gained political backing in favor of those who violently opposed
the Church. St. Luke provides evidence of this shift toward violence by
reporting the execution of James and the arrest of Peter. Of Herod,
Luke says: "And when he saw that [James' execution] pleased the Jews, he
proceeded further to seize Peter also" (vs. 3). When conflicts in this
world oppose the clear will of God, you and I as Christians often have
to answer for our motives, goals, and choices.

Hence, when government turns against the Church, examine your primary
loyalties. St. Luke speaks plainly about the political nature of
Herod's goals: keep in mind the root sense of the word, "political,"
from the Greek word for "citizen," "polites." The king was currying the
favor of the majority of his citizens, while the Jewish Faithful in
Christ were a distinct, unpopular minority in a nearly all-Jewish
population. Ten years earlier their Leader, Jesus of Nazareth, had been
executed. Now the followers of Jesus were admitting Gentiles - non Jews
- into their synagogues, blurring the lines between Jews and other
ethnic groups, actions totally contrary to the traditionalist values of
most of the citizens of Israel (see 1 Chron. 16:35).

Popular opinion favored rigidly maintained separatism. In Herod
Agrippa, the Jews had a king of acceptable lineage, and, best, He was in
good standing with the dominant Roman powers. However, the Christian
synagogues plainly threatened the stability of Jewish privilege with the
Romans. Recall the Prophet David's words: "The kings of the earth were
aroused, and the rulers were assembled together, against the Lord, and
against His Christ. Let us break their bonds asunder, and let us cast
away their yoke from us" (Ps. 2:2,3). May you stand with God's will and
the Church for the full inclusion of those of every ethnic group (Is. 60:3)!

Government necessarily is about control, and the power to enforce. By
pleasing most people through the repression of the Christians, King
Herod aimed at building popular support to solidify his power and keep
his newly restored kingdom in the hands of his family.

The God-given goal of the Church remains the redemption of every person
from any ethnic group who chooses Christ - access to God's Kingdom for
anyone on the face of the whole earth. And note well: since God is
Ruler of all - no matter a government's "case" to the contrary - His
will is to be obeyed and honored (Acts 12:11). Be aware: even you could
have to resist.

Overriding Herod's political methods of arrest and execution in response
to "constant prayer" (vs. 12:12), God reveals that the king was puny in
his struggle against the Powers of Heaven. Herod would have executed
Peter (Acts 4:3; 5:18), yet events demonstrate the greater power of
God's hand - sometimes by martyrs' witness, and sometimes by angels. As
the Prophet David says, "He that dwelleth in the heavens shall laugh
them to scorn, and the Lord shall deride them" (Ps. 2:4). What matters
is how you stand before the Great Judge of all.

Preserve Thy Holy Orthodox Church, keep it in peace and unconquerable
forever.

DYNAMIS, The Power of His Resurrection, May 13, 2009, Feast of Mid-Pentecost

__________________________________________________________
Acts 14:6-18 (5/13) Apostle, Feast of
Mid-Pentecost; the Fourth Wednesday of Pascha

The Power of His Resurrection: Acts 14:6-18, especially vss. 9, 10:
"This man heard Paul speaking. Paul observing him intently and seeing
that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, 'Stand up
straight on your feet!' And he leaped and walked."

Today we celebrate the Feast of Mid-Pentecost, mid-point in the Paschal
season between Great and Holy Pascha and Pentecost. The opening line of
the passage from St. John's Gospel read for today also fits well with
this mid-point: "Now about the middle of the Feast Jesus went up into
the temple and taught" (Jn. 7:14). However, the feast referred to in
the Gospel actually was the Mosaic Feast of Tabernacles. Still,
thematically, today's Gospel returns us to meditate again on the theme
of last Sunday's Gospel (Jn. 5:1-15), by connecting the healing of two
lame men, one in Lystra (Acts 14:6-18) and the other a Paralytic at the
Sheep Pool. Nonetheless, all this is drawn together by the Lord Jesus'
reference once again to the healing of the Paralytic (Jn. 7:23).

The Church invites us to continue meditating on the power of Christ our
God to heal as an extension of His Resurrection. Hence, we read of an
allied event, drawn from a chapter in the Acts that describes the
healing of "...a certain man without strength in his feet...a cripple
from his mother's womb, who had never walked" (Acts 14:8). The reading,
like all Christian records of healing, proclaims that He Who has
overcome death in His own body also gives His Church power over all
human flesh. As one paralyzed by your sins, you are exhorted to cry, "O
Christ God...Maker of all, Grant us Thy mercy and compassion; for Thou
art the Fountain of life."

First, the power of the Resurrection for human life manifests itself
most especially in the proclamation of the Gospel. The companion
Apostles, Paul and Barnabas, came to the little mountain town of Lystra
in central Anatolia following a violent attempt on their lives in
Iconium (Acts 14:4-6). "And they were preaching the gospel there" (vs. 7).

Second, reading on in Acts, realize that the Evangelist Luke compressed
all the years from 33 AD to 60 AD in twenty-eight short chapters.
Hence, he had to be very selective and report only certain key events.
In the present instance, realize that enough time had to elapse after
the Apostles came to Lystra for the crippled man to develop faith in the
risen Lord (vs. 9). Faith does not take place in a vacuum. We are not
confronting, here, an event that happened one day with no background or
preparation. Rather, see the culmination of an extended time of
proclamation and teaching of the Gospel, perhaps several weeks or even
months.

Third, the power of God known in the Resurrection is revealed in the
healing of the lame man in Lystra because he believed in the Lord Jesus,
crucified, dead and buried, and risen on the third day (vs. 9). Now,
one is not healed solely because he believes that the Lord Jesus has the
power to heal. Such a notion would suggests that one's belief could
force God to heal. The greatest need you and I have, quite aside from
physical healing, is to believe in Jesus as Lord. The need for
salvation far outweighs the need for relief from physical maladies. The
man in Lystra was blessed to be a convert in his heart. He had already
united himself to Christ. This conviction and commitment was evident to
St. Paul as he studied him carefully.

The final element is one discussed recently in this series from the Acts
concerning St. Peter. The Apostle Paul had the same "...unsullied union
in grace with the divine...." evident in the Apostle Peter. Hence, St.
Paul could speak with authority, for he knew his Lord's will. By faith,
the paralytic heard the voice of his Lord and Savior through the
Apostle; and he "...leaped and walked" (vs. 10). May the ears of your
heart hear the true Savior's voice speaking to you!

Give Thou my thirsty soul to drink of the waters of true worship, O Savior.

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DYNAMIS, The Mystery of Christ, May 12, 2009, Fourth Tuesday of Pascha

__________________________________________________________
Acts 10:21-33 (5/12)
Apostle for Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Pascha

The Mystery of Christ: Acts 10:21-33, especially vs. 28: "...'You know
how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of
another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man
common or unclean.'"

These days the majority of Christians take Judaism and Christianity as
two separate religions, so words like those quoted above do not move
anyone very greatly. Yes, of course, Jews pursue their activities and
worship as they see fit, and Christians worship Christ as King and God
in their own way. But there's more to it!

In Acts 10:1-16, it is stated that "...an ecstasy came over..." the
Apostle Peter during prayer (Acts 10:10), suggesting the great depth of
his spiritual life. Most important, Acts records that while he was in
that exalted state, God revealed a fundamental truth to him concerning
non-Jews - that is, Gentiles. What God disclosed is expressed in the
Saint's declaration quoted above: "...God has shown me that I should not
call any man common or unclean" (vs. 28).

We are dealing here with a breach of historic proportions that began in
the world-wide Jewish community during the early decades of the first
century A.D.. The results of that breach still underlie the present
state of affairs between "Israel after the flesh," Judaism, and the "New
Israel," the Church. Orthodoxy is a unique religious community,
composed of people of all nations of the earth, having a single
citizenship and fellowship in the Body of Christ.

At the time God gave Peter the revelation described in Acts 10:11-15,
the Church was very strictly a Jewish society - a synagogue based in
Jerusalem, functioning within the larger Jewish community. True, the
relationship between that sect of Jewish Christians who were proclaiming
Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and world-wide Judaism was tense for
each group. Still, Peter's testimony reveals that the consciousness of
Christians - of being Jewish, for they all were ethnic Jews - was
accepted alike by opponents and friends, in Palestine and the Diaspora.

The martyrdom of Stephen, ignited by hyper-conservative Jews called
Freedmen, initiated a persecution of the Christ-worshiping Jews (Acts
7:54-8:3). Many of these fled Jerusalem (Acts 8:4). In relocating,
they came into contact with people of other ethic groups and religions
(Acts 8:5-40). Peter's revelation at Joppa and his encounter with the
little community of Gentiles gathered around Cornelius, a Roman
Centurion, began incorporation of non-Jews into Christian
congregations. The action transformed and separated the Church and Judaism.

>From the perspective of Orthodox Christianity, the Church is the true
Israel. As the New Covenant Community, the Faithful are the obedient
followers of Israel's true Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, our King and
God. However, as the Apostles teach, God mercifully has not cast away
His People-from-of-old, the ethnic Jews, although He "...has given them
a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see...to this very day"
(Rom. 11:8). Until the end of this age, according to the Mystery of
God, "...blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of
the Gentiles has come in [to the true Israel]." Finally, all Israel
will be saved (Rom. 11:25,26).

God also revealed this truth, first to Peter and later to another
convert, Saul, now known as St. Paul (Eph. 3:1-3). As foremost Apostle
to the Gentiles, Paul spoke of this truth as "...the Mystery of
Christ..." (vs. 4), a plan of God, not known in earlier times, but
revealed in history to Christ's Apostles in the earliest decades of the
first Century (Eph. 3:5,6). In the Mystery of Christ, Gentiles and
Jews, separated before by the Mosaic Law, are united "...by the Blood of
Christ. For He Himself is our peace, Who has made both one...having
abolished in His flesh the enmity...so as to create in Himself one new
man from the two..." (Eph. 2:13-15).

O Lord, unite us unto the Communion of the one Holy Spirit with all Thy
Saints.

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