Wednesday
6th May 2020. Read Acts 12:24-13:5, Psalm 67 and John 12:44-50)_
_“While
they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for
me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” *(Acts 13:2)*_
Yesterday,
we are told that it was at Antioch that persons were for the first time called
Christians. Today, we hear more about this model Christian community at
Antioch. It was not just a gathering of persons who behaved so much like
Christ, but it was also a gifted community; a community of prophets and
teachers. Above all, it was a prayerful community.
Indeed,
prayer is the key. Without prayer, we are powerless. Without prayer, we are
deaf (we cannot hear from God), without prayer we are blind (we cannot see the
hand of God in our lives), without prayer we are dumb (we cannot speak blessings
over our lives). As Jesus would say: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch
cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you,
unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4)
As we can
see from the experience of the Church in Antioch, fasting is an essential
component of prayer. Prayer and fasting should go together. When we fast, we
discipline the body. St. Paul would advise us: “Walk by the Spirit and do not
gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the
Spirit, … these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you
would.” (Galatians 5:16-17).
Fasting
helps in developing self-discipline. As St. Paul would say: “Every athlete
exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable
wreath, but we an imperishable. … I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after
preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).
By fasting
and praying, we dispose ourselves to hear clearly from God. In Luke chapter
2, we encounter Anna, the prophetess, who never left the temple worshipping
with fasting and prayer night and day. She was able to identify the child Jesus
as the Messiah and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of
Jerusalem.
The was exactly what happened in the Church in Antioch. While they were praying and fasting, they
heard the voice of the Holy Spirit saying: “Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the
work I have called them.” When we are devoted to God, we hear from Him like
light shining in a dark place. In our Gospel passage today, Jesus says to us: “I
have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain
in darkness.” (John 12:46).
Let us
pray: Lord Jesus, teach me to discipline myself so as to hear more and more from
you daily. Amen
*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 4th Week
of Easter. Bible Study: Acts 12:24-13:5, Psalm 67 and John 12:44-50).*
Fr. Abu
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