7th Week of Pentecost

Acts 14:1-7
In Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue together and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks came to believe, although the disbelieving Jews stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. So they stayed for a considerable period, speaking out boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the word about his grace by granting signs and wonders to occur through their hands. The people of the city were divided: some were with the Jews; others, with the apostles. When there was an attempt by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their leaders, to attack and stone them, they realized it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside, where they continued to proclaim the good news.

Luke 10:8-12
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.

Rejection and persecution were commonly faced by the early Christians and disciples. People got angry enough to stone people who brought peace, signs, and wonders. The early Christians preached about things that mattered and affected ones entire life. The Gospel is a challenge, an invitation, and a condemnation. To recieve life one must know that one is dead. So the hearers heard that they were broken, needed God’s help, and would have to make major life changes. This was insulting to them and stung because it was true. Some responded by coversion of life and found life, others responded with anger and sought death. The question for us is twofold, have we responded to the Gospel and changed our life and are we willing to speak uncomfortable truths to a possibly resentful audience.

Praise, glory and honor to the eternal One,
who in the beginning said:
“Let there be light,” and there was light;
he lifted the veil of darkness that covered the world,
and dispersed it;
to the Most High, who was manifested in the evening
of he world for our salvation
in order to drive away the darkness of unfaithfulness
from our souls
and bring us closer to the new Light of the world.
He is the Good One to whom is due glory and honor now, and all the days of our lives,
now and for ever. Amen.