house calls
“After she and her household had been baptized, she extended us an invitation: ‘If you are convinced that I believe in the Lord, come and stay at my house.’ She managed to prevail on us.” —Acts 16:15
St. Paul, being a good Jew, had never stayed at a Gentile’s house in his life. However, Jesus led Paul to preach that Gentiles were in Christ, “now co-heirs with the Jews, members of the same body and sharers of the promise through the preaching of the gospel” (Eph 3:6). This message aroused such opposition in Jews that Paul was repeatedly attacked and imprisoned for preaching such a thing.
Paul also was challenged to live out his own preaching by treating Christian Gentiles as brothers and sisters — even staying in their houses. This would make Jews feel much worse than uncomfortable. It could also expose them to severe punishment from other Jews. Jewish Christians paid a great price when they stayed in a Gentile’s house. Therefore, when Paul and his companions stayed at Lydia’s house and ate in the home of the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:15, 34), they were dying to themselves and losing their lives (Lk 9:23-24).
Who are the untouchables you must touch because you are a Christian? Whom must you invite into your family and community because they are your brothers and sisters in Christ?
Prayer: Father, make my community reflect the body of Christ in all its richness.
Promise: “I have told you these things that when their hour comes you may remember My telling you of them.” —Jn 16:4
Praise: Joan, a mother of several young children, so inspired a fellow parishioner by bringing her children to daily Mass that the parishioner was moved to send an anonymous note and gift to her.
Reference: (Our retreat, Prophecy and Discernment, is being offered May 24-25. Be equipped to speak God’s Word and know what His will is. Call 513-373-2397, www.presentationministries.com to register.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 22, 2023"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.