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Tuesday 4th Week Easter
St. Luke’s Institute
April 28, 2015
WHAT WAS IT? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
What
do you suppose the citizens of Antioch saw in the disciples of Jesus that made
them coin the title “Christian” when
referring to them?
Ø
What
made them set these followers apart from the followers of other teachers and
preachers?
IT WAS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Was
it the conviction
with which they proclaimed the Word of the Lord?
Ø
The
captivating message they preached?
Ø
The
universality
of their outreach, to Greeks as well as Jews in the crowds they addressed?
Ø
Perhaps
it was their “fidelity to the Lord in firmness of heart,” a way
of life encouraged by Barnabas, who himself was possessed by faith
OR SOMETHING ELSE? ++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Or
was it something else altogether?
Ø
Was
it their kindness to one another, their respect for all, and their
largeness of heart?
Ø
The
way they shared everything in common or how they gathered 4 breaking
of bread with joy?
Ø
Maybe
it was the astonishing growth of their numbers, that
others were compelled to join them because of their word and their witness?
JESUS IS CHALLENGED +++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
In
today’s Gospel, Jesus is challenged: “How
long are you going to keep us in suspense?”
Ø
“If you are the Christ, tell us
plainly”
Ø
It
may well be that “Christian” was coined of Jesus’ followers in Antioch because
everything about these people’s lives said it so plainly: “We belong to the Christ”
Ø
…
and people saw the Christ in their actions
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
Would
that our belonging to Christ were as transparent to others!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
