"I am the Lord, I change not."
(Malachi 3:6)
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The world's order of things is unsure and indefinite. Desperate words of
uncertainty are crying out daily from radio, television, and newspapers.
Everything around us seems to be in turmoil.
But, praise God, if you're a believer you have something you can depend
on:
the
unchanging Word of God!
God has no double standard. He doesn't say one thing today and something
else
tomorrow. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
If you will make the Word the final authority in your life, it will give
you
stability when everything else around you gives way. If you'll let what
God
says
settle the issues of life, you'll be confident when others are confused,
peaceful when others are under pressure. You'll be overcoming when others
are
being overcome!
What does it mean to make God's Word the final authority? It means
believing
what He says instead of believing what people say. It means believing what
He
says instead of what Satan says. It means believing what He says instead
of
what
the circumstances say.
Determine in your heart to do that today. Make up your mind to live by
faith,
not by sight. Fearlessly commit yourself to the authority of God's Word
and
there won't be anything in this unstable world that can steal your
security
from
you.
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June 11th - Saint Barnabas, Apostle
(d. 61)
We read that in the first days of the Church, the multitude of believers
had
but one heart and one soul; and none said that anything which he possessed
was his own. (Acts 4:32) Amid this fervent company of Christians who
practiced evangelical poverty, one only is singled out by name, Joseph, a
rich Levite from Cyprus. He, having land, sold it, and bringing the price,
laid it at the feet of the Apostles. They then gave him a new name,
Barnabas, son of consolation. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit
and
of faith, and was soon chosen for an im****tant mission, the rapidly
growing
Church of Antioch. Here he perceived the great work which was waiting to
be
done among the Greeks, and therefore he hastened to seek out and bring
Saint
Paul to Antioch, from his retirement at Tarsus.
When the prophet Agabus at Antioch foretold a great universal famine,
Barnabas and Paul were selected by the faithful, to take to the Church of
Jerusalem their generous offerings for the poor of that city. It was also
at
Antioch that the two Saints were named for the apostolate of the Gentiles;
and they sailed together for Cyprus and then to the cities of Asia Minor.
Their preaching struck men with amazement, and some cried out, "The gods
have come down to us in the likeness of men!" calling Paul Mercury, and
Barnabas Jupiter. The Saints traveled together once again, to the Council
of
Jerusalem, and told of the "signs and wonders which God had wrought among
the Gentiles" during their missionary journey. Shortly after this they
separated; Barnabas with John Mark went to Cyprus, while Paul with Silas
returned to Asia Minor.
The tradition of Milan, Italy, reveals that Saint Barnabas went from
Cyprus
to Italy, and in Milan founded its church; he is still honored there as
its
first bishop. After seven years he consecrated Saint Anathalon to replace
him, and returned to Cyprus to visit the churches. He crisscrossed the
island several times to bring to every city and village the Holy Name of
the
Son of God. In Salamis, some of the recalcitrants plotted together to kill
him. He was aware of the conspiracy; nonetheless, after foretelling to
John
Mark that he would die that same day, he went to the synagogue to preach
as
usual. It was there that he was stoned as a blasphemer, in the year 61 of
our era. Saint John Mark succeeded in burying him near Salamis.
Saint Quote:
To pick up a straw from the ground through obedience is more meritorious
than to preach, to fast, to use the discipline to blood, and to make long
prayers, of one's own will.
-St. Alphonsus Rodriguez
Bible Quote
16 You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you,
that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should
remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may
give
it you. (John 15:16)
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Prayer of Solace
May Christ sup****t us all the day long,
till the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over
and our work is done.
Then in his mercy
may he give us a safe lodging,
and holy rest and peace at the last.
Amen.
(attributed to John Cardinal Newman)
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