Todays Meditation Acts 19:1-8 June 2, 2014 Saints Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. (Acts 19:2) “But wait, there’s more!” This familiar line from countless television commercials captures the spirit of today’s first reading. The disciples in Ephesus were adhering to John the Baptist’s message of repentance. They had been baptized and were living according to what they had learned about turning away from sin. But wait! God had more for them. Paul came on the scene and told them about Jesus, “the one who was to come after” John (Acts 19:4). They accepted Paul’s message and said yes to baptism “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (19:5). Such wonderful news! But wait! There was even more. When Paul prayed with them and laid hands on them, the Ephesian disciples were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Paul recognized that God was moving among them, and so for three months, he debated in the synagogue and taught about the kingdom of God. When Paul’s welcome in the synagogue wore out, he didn’t give up. He moved elsewhere in the city and continued teaching the disciples for two more years. Their simple yes to what they heard—from John the Baptist and from Paul—brought them to conversion, but it brought them so much more than that. It brought them into a lifelong relationship with the Holy Spirit! With God, there is always more. It begins with saying yes to him, yes to whatever he holds out today. If something—anything—stirs your heart toward God, say yes to it. Accept it for the gift that it is, even if you can’t see where it will take you. The disciples at Ephesus surely had no idea of all that awaited them once they accepted Paul’s offer of baptism in the name of Jesus. They just said yes, and God did the rest. Say yes, even to little things such as squeezing in a prayer time on a busy day or biting back unkind words. Say yes to promptings to speak to someone you may not know or to call or write a letter to someone you have lost touch with. Say yes to offering to pray with a co-worker who is ailing or anxious. Say yes to the Lord, and you’ll find more of his grace! “Father, help me recognize what you are offering me today. I say yes to everything you have for me.” Psalm 68:2-7; John 16:29-33
Posted on: Mon, 02 Jun 2014 06:22:35 +0000
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