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. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College