From 10/98-
Of interest: Saul is introduced in the Bible.
At Stephen's Stoning, "the witnesses left their cloaks in the care of a young man named Saul."
Acts 7:58. "And Saul approved of his murder". Acts 8:1
"Saul tried to destroy the church; going from house to house, he dragged out the believers, both
men and women, and threw them into jail." Acts 8:3
"Saul kept up his violent threats of murder against the followers of the Lord. He went to the High
Priest and asked for letters of introduction to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he should
find there any followers of the Way of the Lord, he would be able to arrest them...and bring them
back to Jerusalem."
From 11/98- Saul's conversion:
Saul's vision and conversion.
As Saul was coming near the city of Damascus, suddenly a light from the
sky flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul! Why do
you persecute me?' "
"I am Jesus, whom you persecute. Go into the city where you will be told what to do."
The men who were traveling with Saul heard the voice. Saul could not see anything anymore.
So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. For three days, Saul was not
able to see.
There was a Christian in Damascus named Ananias. He had a vision where the Lord said
to him, "Go to the house of Judas and ask for a man named Saul. He is praying, and in a
vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him so that he might
see again." Ananias was afraid to go to Saul, because he had heard that Saul was in Damascus
to arrest all who worship Jesus.
The Lord said, "Go, because I have chosen him to serve me."
So Ananias went, entered the house, and placed his hands on him. "Brother Saul, the Lord
-Jesus himself, who appeared to you as you were coming here, has sent me. He sent me so that
you might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." At once, Saul was able to see again.
He was baptized, and after he had eaten, his strength returned.
Acts:9:1-20
From 12/98-
Also known as Paul.
All who heard him were amazed, and asked amongst themselves "Isn't he the one who came
here to persecute those worshipping Jesus?"
Then Saul went to Jerusalem and tried to join the disciples. Barnabas helped the apostles
believe that Saul really DID worship Jesus by telling them what and how the conversion
happened.
In Acts 13:9, we find that Saul is also known as Paul.
Paul's Letter to the Romans:
Romans 2:13 "It is not by hearing the Law that people are put right with God, but by doing
what the Law commands."
But because we "are all under the power of sin…no one does what is right", Romans 3:9 & 12
God's way of putting people right with himself has been revealed.
God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-22
…a person is put right with God only through faith, and not by doing what the Law commands.
Romans 3:28
Does this mean that by this faith we do away with the Law? No, not at all; instead, we uphold
the Law. Romans 3:31
By Christ's death, we were put right with God. Romans 5:9
The end of my story of Saul! His message, simply stated...
If we could be saved by doing what the Law (Commandments) requires, then Christ died for nothing. Therefore, Christ died so we could be saved even if we DON'T follow the Law. All that is required is that we believe in Jesus and his message.
From 9/98- A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, (states)..."Fellow Israelites, be careful what you do to these (apostles)...You remember that Theudas appeared some time ago, claiming to be somebody great, and about 400 men joined him. But he was killed, and all his followers scattered and his movement died out. After that, Judas the Galilean appeared...he drew a crowd after him, but he also was killed, and all his followers scattered. And so in this case...If what they have planned and done is of human origin, it will disappear, but if it comes from God, you cannot possibly defeat them. You could find yourselves fighting against God." Acts 5:34-39
A smart man, that Gamaliel!
Of interest: Summer 1998 In the Columbia's June issue, an article brought to our attention by our Council Chaplain, Father Ben Suellentrop, is titled "When a Loved One Leaves the Church".
The article states: "When offering advice on any aspect of the Church, it's important to make sure you know what you're talking about. Myths and misconceptions spread by well-meaning Catholics cause great damage. For instance, some people still believe that a Catholic is automatically excommunicated when a divorce decree becomes final, but that is not true. Likewise, it does not cost thousands of dollars for an annulment, and after an annulment is granted, the children are not considered illegitimate. Yet this kind of bad information drives thousands of people away from the Church and the sacraments."
Of interest:From 5/98
In the Columbia's May 1998 issue, the Sounding Board article states "Our faith is our strength; Our Lady's rosary is our shield."
That reminded me of a quote from Saint Paul:
"So stand ready, with trust as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help." Ephesians 6:14-18.
