Friday, January 25, 2013

Daily Readings:
Acts 22:3-16; PS 117:1bc, 2; Mk 16:15-18

Reflection:  We see in Paul that we are never so far from Christ that we cannot be called back to honor, serve, and praise His name.  Paul was persecuting Christians, yet God called on Him to become a great missionary to share the good news of Christ with all.  While our call from God may not be as awe inspiring as Paul’s was, we have all been called by God with this same mission.  We are all called to go out and to proclaim the Gospel.  God has blessed us all in different ways and we must use those varied talents to bring others to God.

Big Picture:  We are all called to be missionaries

Discussion Starters:
     Younger saints:  What is a missionary?  (Someone who shares the good news of Jesus with others.)  Why do we do this?  (Because Jesus tells us that anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved.  We want everyone to be able to go to heaven and be with Jesus, so we must teach them about Jesus.)  Who were the first missionaries?  (The apostles.  Jesus sent them out to teach others about God.)
     Older saints:  Paul was a great persecutor of Christians.  We see this in how his treatment and persecution was well known by Ananias.  In spite of his persecution of Christians, and therefore his great sins against God, God still loved Paul and wanted Paul to know and serve Him.  What does this make you think and feel about your own life?  How has God called you from your sinfulness to serve Him?  How can you more fully serve God by bringing the good news of Christ to others?

Fun Fact:  St. Paul participated in the stoning of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. (Acts of the Apostles 7:58)

Saint of the day: 
     Name:  St. Apollo
     Key aspect of their life:  St. Apollo was born in Egypt and spent forty years in the desert around Thebes.  He founded a community of monks in Egypt and became their abbot.
     Feast day:  January 25

Daily Notes: