Comments on: Saturday May 25, 2019: When to Yield

By: laura

laura — Thu, 30 May 2019 19:05:56 +0000

Hello,
This is a lovely and thoughtful reflection. I’ve been thinking of the words of Jesus Christ ‘my sheep hear my voice’ and been praying to be able to recognise and obey the voice of Jesus. Also praying to discern the voice of Jesus from my own desires and worldly thoughts. Thank you for this, very helpful.

By: A

Sun, 26 May 2019 16:26:28 +0000

Thank you, John! Always happy to get more guidance from the Scriptures! May God bless you and your loved ones!

By: May 27, 2019 Prevailing Hospitality - %

May 27, 2019 Prevailing Hospitality - % — Sun, 26 May 2019 16:01:13 +0000

[…] had decided that you did not have to become Jewish first before becoming Christian. Then, as John Ciribassi pointed out on Saturday, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit directed Paul and Barnabas to change direction. Instead of […]

By: John J Ciribassi

John J Ciribassi — Sun, 26 May 2019 14:35:10 +0000

A
I found this in today’s reading from Acts 15 on what the issue was with John Mark and why it brought Paul and Barnabas to conflict:

“Barnabas wanted to take with them also John, who was called Mark,
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but Paul insisted that they should not take with them someone who had deserted them at Pamphylia and who had not continued with them in their work.m
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So sharp was their disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.
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But Paul chose Silas and departed after being commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
41”

By: Aurora

Aurora — Sat, 25 May 2019 23:55:55 +0000

This is a lovely and thoughtful reflection. I’ve been thinking of the words of Jesus Christ ‘my sheep hear my voice’ and been praying to be able to recognise and obey the voice of Jesus. Also praying to discern the voice of Jesus from my own desires and worldly thoughts. Thank you for this, very helpful.

By: John J Ciribassi

John J Ciribassi — Sat, 25 May 2019 22:26:14 +0000

A
I see the section on circumcision as a release from rigid rules. The Jews believed that in order to be Christian, you had to be Jewish first and that required circumcision. Focusing on ritual over substance. Exactly what Jesus was objecting to. Peter correctly pointed out that it was placing an undue burden to routinely require this of someone who merely wanted to follow the teachings of Christ. So the ceased making circumcision a REQUIREMENT of following the Gospel. And this message was spread to the Gentiles.
However, it did not mean that an individual could not offer sacrifice for a greater purpose. Sacrifice is required for love and Paul and Timothy loved the potential converts they could make enough for Timothy to make a sacrifice and become circumcised. Circumcision was not required for Timothy to be Christian but it was elected to get past the barrier the Jews might present to being receptive to the word.

The division between Paul and Barnabas involved Barnabas’ cousin, John Mark. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first campaign together but when plans developed for a second journey, Barnabas wanted John Mark along again and Paul did not. There is no understanding that I am aware of about what the dispute was. So, the two friends split up over it and never saw each other again.

John

By: Anonymoose

Anonymoose — Sat, 25 May 2019 19:18:56 +0000

Thank you, John. This is a wonderful reflection! Such great guidance. I looked for a way to email it to myself so I could continue to re-read it.
I have the same struggles as Sandi and A when it comes to praying and fasting.
Adore Jesus!!!

By: A

Sat, 25 May 2019 16:44:28 +0000

I noticed how weird it is that right after declaring to the Gentiles that they don’t need to get circumcised, Paul has Timothy circumcised. Why?!?! Talk about getting lost in the minutiae! And then it says that they delivered the rules to the Gentiles. The same ones which say that they don’t need to be circumcised?!?! Their actions don’t match their words. I have spoken before how I see the Church authorities and its catechism as a carbon copy of the scribes and Pharisees and their strict upholding of the Jewish laws while disregarding love. Now I see that the roots of this problem run deep: back to Paul and Timothy. I wonder what Paul said when Timothy pointed out the irony in him having to get circumcised while,at the same time, bringing the rules that state that Gentiles don’t need to be circumcised?

And what was the falling out with Barnabas about?