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May
19

Acts of the Apostles 8:4-25, Philip in Samaria!

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Day 113, Acts 8

Good Day everyone!  Today we see the Holy Spirit really moving!

Now we are on Section III The Mission in Judea and Samaria – and we see that those who had been scattered went about preaching the Word –

Philip went down to the city of Samaria — now remember this is where Jews in the past would not pass!  The Woman at the Well was from their and the parable of the good Samaritan –

and here we see Philip go and proclaim the Messiah to them!

Now hear this…. “WITH ONE ACCORD, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing.”

So what I see here is that before we saw that the community prayed with one accord and now we see that on the receiving end… the people “paid attention” to what was being said — with one accord —

this is so important — if you look at Mass on Sunday it is hard to find a place where everyone in the pew is listening and paying attention with one accord –

I can tell you the difference because I  experienced the congregation paying attention in one accord when I was in Kenya -

– and I did not realize that there was a difference until I saw what it was like — hard to put into words but the people were one and you could hear a pin drop — no one moved — not one cough or noise was made and no one moved their body because they were so intently listening that you could feel them engaged in what was going on in the Mass and the preaching –

 I’ve given talks where the people in the audience are not intent on listening and there is a big difference — The only way to describe it is that  it’s like your words bounce right back at you because they are not being received!

 This is why it is so important to be prepared for Sunday so that the Word of God can be received and you are able to listen attentively!

That is all our responsiblity!

There was great joy in that city when they saw all that Philip was doing to cure the sick and bring people out of being paralyzed or crippled or from being possessed by the evil one!

This is Philip — the one who said to our Lord — “Show us the Father and that will be enough for us”  Looks like he knows the Father now!!!  Go Philip!

Now the big lesson is this Simon the Magician — and I really want you to read this mindful of what is going on in our time today!!!

You see Simon was practicing magic –

everyone thought he was sooooo great and paid attention to him because he had astounded them by his magic for a long time!!!

OK so we see that certain people get the crowds attention and that is where the power is — we see that on election day and with certain celebrities etc…

Everyone thought that Simon was the Power of God — that is called GREAT!  YIKES — it sounds just like what we are going through today — nothing new under the sun!

BUT

once they began to believe Philip — AS HE PREACHED THE GOOD NEWS!!!!!!

ABOUT the kingdom of GOD and the NAME of JESUS CHRIST — men and women alike were baptized!!!

Ok so are you getting fired up?

Can you see that we have a world that for too long has been worshiping false Gods!!!

The huge kicker is that EVEN SIMON believed!!!! and after being baptized became devoted to Philip!  Isn’t that awesome?!!!

You cannot compare the signs and wonders of almighty God to any false God!!!  NOT ANYDAY!

 Now when all this was happening they sent for Peter and John and here we truly see the sacrament of Confirmation!

Peter was sent — to lay hands on them so that they could receive the HOLY SPIRIT!

The Spirit was confered by THE APOSTLES laying of hands!!  There is no way around this!!

And here it is… Simon when he saw this,  wanted to know how he could buy this power!!!!!

Is this just too much?

“Give me this power too so that anyone that I lay my hands on may receive the holy Spirit”

I don’t think so Simon!!!

Don’t you just love PETER!

“May your money perish with you, because you thought that  you could buy the gift of God with money”

OH WOW — everyone memorize this verse forever!!! 

We see people in the church even sometimes thinking that their money is worth a higher position — special treatment — a better seat — some favors –

and woe to those who give into that temptation —

thanks be to God that Peter gives us this example early on!!!

 And the best part — Peter lets him know that the real issue is that his heart is not right!!!

“REPENT of this wickedness of yours and pray to the Lord that, if possible, you intention may be forgiven”

YIKES but I love it because even in this Peter wants to lead Simon to Christ!

He tells him — with his gift of discernment — that Simon is filled with bitter gall and are in the bonds of iniquity!!!!!!!!!!!

And thanks be to God Simon has the good sense to say “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me”

And so with this Peter and John proclaimed and testifed the word of the Lord —

and that is what we must do — and in Samaria — the place that jews would never have passed through — not good enough!!!

Now the Holy Spirit is going all through the villages through Peter and John and Philip!!!

Where will they go next — we’ll find out tomorrow!!!

Tomorrow 8:26-40

Please share this is good stuff today — so many lessons I want to know what you will draw out of this –

God bless!

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  • judy stefencavage

    I know what that feels like, speaking and no one is listening yet they are looking right at you! I have been on a mission w/my children and I speak and they look and bobble their heads; but they are not listening!!! Guess I have to stop talking and start more praying.

    Reading and getting into the Bible every day has rewarded me so that I can be more attentive at Mass, when the readings and Gospel are pronounced; I recognize the words and truly am more interested, I am more part of the Mass than previously.

    the part about Simon the magician; he believed – but not entirely or he would have never offered to buy the power he saw in the Apostles with money. Sadly so sadly today that is what it is all about, money and power, the two worst false gods. I guess it has always been that way; but it just seems that today the world is so broken. People think those 2 idols can bring them happiness and contentment. Been there done that, although never had either but I pursued each of them. Now I work at keeping my eyes of Jesus. For me not always easy, I get caught up in other things easly. Like the past few days….. I am so happy they are over. Back to my normal routine. I miss my routine when I get out of it and that is a good thing.

  • Anonymous

    I also have seen people listening in one accord, and following the Mass in one accord. When the Charismatic renewal started in Puerto Rico, it started in a small village in the mountains. All the priests in the parish were part of it, and the masses in the town church were awesome. The priest used to say it was directed by the Holy Spirit. Of course it was! People answered at the same time and prayers started and ended in unison. Worship in tongues started and ended in unison, and the harmony was beautiful. You could almost see the Holy Spirit directing and moving the church in unison. Silence started and ended in unison, songs satrted and ended in unison, no one was heard before or after the song. And the presence of the Lord was so strong! I can’t explain it, but there is a big difference when people hear in unison.

    We see the power of the Spirit working in Peter, when he scolds Simon. He must have been petrified when he told Peter to pray so what he had said never happened to him. I will check how much of Simon is in me, because I really don’t want what Peter said to happen to me.

  • Anonymous

    Oh Judy I know exactly what you mean about talking to your children. Do pray, but never stop talking. I really believe that mother’s words have a way to “seep into” their children. They just don’t work right away. But they stay in their hearts and they work too. Keep talkin, but do pray and you will be surprised when they come back at you. Remember Mary at the wedding in Cana. She told Him, He said “what is that to you and me” and He ended up doing what she asked. I know that was fast, but it worked. Some other take more time. But mother’s words do sink in.

  • judy stefencavage

    I know what that feels like, speaking and no one is listening yet they are looking right at you! I have been on a mission w/my children and I speak and they look and bobble their heads; but they are not listening!!! Guess I have to stop talking and start more praying.

    Reading and getting into the Bible every day has rewarded me so that I can be more attentive at Mass, when the readings and Gospel are pronounced; I recognize the words and truly am more interested, I am more part of the Mass than previously.

    the part about Simon the magician; he believed – but not entirely or he would have never offered to buy the power he saw in the Apostles with money. Sadly so sadly today that is what it is all about, money and power, the two worst false gods. I guess it has always been that way; but it just seems that today the world is so broken. People think those 2 idols can bring them happiness and contentment. Been there done that, although never had either but I pursued each of them. Now I work at keeping my eyes of Jesus. For me not always easy, I get caught up in other things easly. Like the past few days….. I am so happy they are over. Back to my normal routine. I miss my routine when I get out of it and that is a good thing.

  • cuquilavergne

    I also have seen people listening in one accord, and following the Mass in one accord. When the Charismatic renewal started in Puerto Rico, it started in a small village in the mountains. All the priests in the parish were part of it, and the masses in the town church were awesome. The priest used to say it was directed by the Holy Spirit. Of course it was! People answered at the same time and prayers started and ended in unison. Worship in tongues started and ended in unison, and the harmony was beautiful. You could almost see the Holy Spirit directing and moving the church in unison. Silence started and ended in unison, songs satrted and ended in unison, no one was heard before or after the song. And the presence of the Lord was so strong! I can't explain it, but there is a big difference when people hear in unison.

    We see the power of the Spirit working in Peter, when he scolds Simon. He must have been petrified when he told Peter to pray so what he had said never happened to him. I will check how much of Simon is in me, because I really don't want what Peter said to happen to me.

  • cuquilavergne

    Oh Judy I know exactly what you mean about talking to your children. Do pray, but never stop talking. I really believe that mother's words have a way to “seep into” their children. They just don't work right away. But they stay in their hearts and they work too. Keep talkin, but do pray and you will be surprised when they come back at you. Remember Mary at the wedding in Cana. She told Him, He said “what is that to you and me” and He ended up doing what she asked. I know that was fast, but it worked. Some other take more time. But mother's words do sink in.

  • Anonymous

    if i had my life to live again, i would teach my children by example and few words.

    i am happy my children have 2 qualities that are most important to me – they are not perfect, but they are kind, decent and honest. some people thought i was stupid because of my meekness and non-shrewdness and had no desire to “get people back” or to be first. i may not have gone far, but thank God my children do not have those qualities which the world considers wonderful.

  • Marie Joseph

    Amen — good insight!!! I know what you mean about the starting and finishing in unison and somehow directed by the spirit we know just when to start and stop!!! AMAZING!

  • Marie Joseph

    Amen! Great insights!

  • Marie Joseph

    Good job Judy — key is to be in the moment and definitely teach them who Jesus is by your actions and prayer life rather than argumentative words!

  • Marie Joseph

    I think the key here is not to talk at them but with them and engage them through human experience — when you ask them questions you can get into dialouge with them— but when you talk at them them react in guilt and get angry! Pray for more love –

  • marionraffa

    if i had my life to live again, i would teach my children by example and few words.

    i am happy my children have 2 qualities that are most important to me – they are not perfect, but they are kind, decent and honest. some people thought i was stupid because of my meekness and non-shrewdness and had no desire to “get people back” or to be first. i may not have gone far, but thank God my children do not have those qualities which the world considers wonderful.

  • Marie Joseph

    Amen — good insight!!! I know what you mean about the starting and finishing in unison and somehow directed by the spirit we know just when to start and stop!!! AMAZING!

  • Marie Joseph

    Amen! Great insights!

  • Marie Joseph

    Good job Judy — key is to be in the moment and definitely teach them who Jesus is by your actions and prayer life rather than argumentative words!

  • Marie Joseph

    I think the key here is not to talk at them but with them and engage them through human experience — when you ask them questions you can get into dialouge with them— but when you talk at them them react in guilt and get angry! Pray for more love –

  • judy stefencavage

    Marion
    You did a wonderful job; being non shrewd or meek is not bad not wrong. I don’t know your other chld but Marie is a super woman, a holy woman and a strong influence in other woman’s lives. Yes your children do have those qualities and it is due to you and God.

  • judy stefencavage

    Marion
    You did a wonderful job; being non shrewd or meek is not bad not wrong. I don't know your other chld but Marie is a super woman, a holy woman and a strong influence in other woman's lives. Yes your children do have those qualities and it is due to you and God.