To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Week 6, Day 4 - Love is the Bonding Agent of Our Fellowship
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The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.” After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brethren, listen to me. Symeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled and from blood. For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues.” Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole Church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, with the following letter.
Acts 15:6-7, 13-14, 19-23
The power and authority of the Apostles helped to carry the Church from its infancy through the fires of the first persecutions. The Acts of the Apostles covers the trials the first bishops of the Church faced. In every danger and difficulty, the leaders of the Church came together in faith, sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit, consulted Scripture, and considered the teachings that had come before, in order to make wise decisions for the good of the People of God.
Christ told Peter, the man of faith, that he was the “rock” upon which he would build his Church (see Mt 16:18). Today the Church continues to build upon that same rock, the foundation which ultimately rests on Christ. Her legacy stretches from the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Second Coming of Jesus on the Last Day. No struggle, no scandal, and no falsehood will prevent the Church from becoming complete in Christ. Our calling is to continue in the truth by how we live and act within the body of believers.
Questions for reflection
What modern-day challenges do you see the Church facing, and how are today’s Pope and bishops helping us navigate them?
Do you believe that today’s bishops carry on the legacy of the Apostles? How do you see this in the Church today?
How often do you hold up your spiritual leaders in prayer?
Praying with Scripture
“Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock.” (Mt 7:24)
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
