Eleven men heard Jesus’ words as he called them to evangelize the whole world. In their futures, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, they will survive poisonings and deadly snakes, heal people and expel demons (vv. 17-18) as they proclaim the Gospel with their lives.
We are, as Christians, the evidence that the Eleven succeeded; the number of first-century Christians pales in comparison to the more than two-and-a-half billion today. Like the Apostles, we, too, are called to endure the challenges and dangers of evangelization. Still, I wonder how to interpret deadly poison, venomous snakes and healing the sick, not to mention delivering people from demons. We might start by overcoming the dangers of our own prejudices, temptations, egos and tempers. We trust Jesus to work “accompanying signs” (v. 20) with each impartial act of service, when we stand bravely for justice, every time we tell someone we’ll pray for them and with each humble act of kindness
Amen. :)
Thank you Deborah. I too read this and wonder, how do those deadly snakes, poisons and such apply today? Your meditation made me think: what poisons are in my life, who or what represents venomous snakes, are there demons around me with which I am dealing? Yes to all of these. But today’s reading tells me Jesus gives me the ability to handle these situations, to learn from them and to continue to battle for myself and for those around me. Thank you for helping me to hear His voice today. Prayers for you all my friends especially those who...
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Amen!
Amen Amen Amen God is great and powerful
Amen
Deborah wonderful words to live by thank you. I pray that I will be all the God wants me to be. Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days. Holy Spirit fill the hearts of all to guide us to a more heavenly earth.
Amen
Alleluia, that’s a perfect job description Deborah. —- I hope when I arrive at the pearly gates for my FINAL performance review I get a pass. —-Only The Lord knows, but I’m going to continue giving it my best shot. —-Amen
Hi Salina, you are totally correct in respect of the subject of salvation. My comment was specifically in response to the subject of the devotional, evangelisation. —- My tongue in cheek appraisal at the pearly gates was on my performance as an evangelist. Not including the word evangelise was an oversight. I think James 2:14-26 is a good commentary on the relationships between faith, salvation and works.
Amen
And I know because the Bible tells me so ❤️✝️❤️
It is NOT any of my performance but Jesus alone is my pass in Ephesians2:8-10, “God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift. It is not based on anything you have done. No one can brag about earning it. We are God’s creation. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good works. Long ago God prepared these works for us to do!” For that I say Amen ✝️
Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.
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******* The Great Commission is Jesus Christ's instruction to His disciples to spread the gospel in Matthew 28:16-20, “Then the 11 disciples went to Galilee. They went to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him. But some still had their doubts. Then Jesus came to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have...
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