Acts 1:15-26

This week's schedule:

Wednesday (tomorrow): Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-20
Thursday (May 17): Reading 2: 1 John 4:11-16
Friday (May 18): Gospel: John 17:11-19

Thanks for checkin back!  I'm excited to get into the book of Acts.  For some reason, it is just one of my favorite books--I guess I just really enjoy reading about the early church and what it looked like.

With that, let's get into it, shall we?

Pray:
Lord, I thank you so much for your Word.  You are the author of all things--those things written in ink as well as those that are only written on your hearts.  Guide us as we study your Word today.  Speak to us and lead us according to your great will.  In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Read Attentively:

Acts 1:15-26


15  During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, 16 “My brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled which the holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. 18 He bought a parcel of land with the wages of his iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his insides spilled out. 19 This became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem, so that the parcel of land was called in their language ‘Akeldama,’ that is, Field of Blood.
20 For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his encampment become desolate, and may no one dwell in it.’ And: ‘May another take his office.’ 21 Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” 26 Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles.

My immediate thought here is ... wow... they sure did move on quickly from telling about how Judas died to filling his office--especially after so gruesome an explanation of the death (bursting open and all his insides spilling out and all ... ).  I also think it is interesting that they are recounting the way he died, almost as if on purpose--to remind everyone of what befalls those who betray the Lord.  Maybe not, but that's just my take on it at the moment.

I also find it interesting the way they went about deciding on the new apostle to take Judas' place--they prayed a simple prayer and then went on to "cast lots" or vote.  And Matthias won the vote, so he was counted as one of the apostles.

Imagine/Meditate: It's like they just trusted God to work inside their daily routine--not asking for anything special or some miraculous sign.  That's pretty amazing to me--I think so often, we get caught up in this idea that God has to speak in some out of the ordinary way...but isn't God's voice usually that still quiet whisper???  Doesn't He bless us daily in the sunrise and sunset?  Doesn't He guide us by the windows that open and the doors that close, rather than yell out "HEY YOU--TURN LEFT!! TAKE THAT ROAD!!!"  His voice is often quiet and "ordinary"...it beats within our own heartbeat, whispers within our own thoughts.

Our God is a God of order--just look at creation...it is incredibly orderly and logical; one thing leading to the next and all interdependent on each other.

Apply:

We got to stop looking for the "signs" and "miracles"...at least the way that we think of those things...we have to look closer; listen more intently; find the joy and the MIRACLE in this everyday thing we call LIFE.  It's true--God DOES sometimes speak to us loudly or amaze us with His miracles that bend the laws of nature...but if you think about it, usually that is when we are REALLY off course and in a heap of trouble and He is trying to get our attention...it's kind of nice not to be in a place where God has to YELL for me to hear Him.

I think I'll wait here a while ... basking in the miracle of the morning sunlight and listening to the whispers on the wind.