The Feast of St Athanasius | Tuesday 2 May 2023

0:00

Today is Tuesday the 2nd of May, the feast of St Athanasius, in the fourth week of Easter.

IAMSON sings, ‘Always With Me’. Take a moment to recognise God’s presence with you now…

I can make through the day

When you're with me on the way

In my heart and mind you'll stay

I can make it through the night

When I'm clinging to your light

You will make the darkness bright

For you are always, always with me

For you are always, always with me

In the calm and in the storm

When it seems I'm all alone

It's your hand I find to hold

In each hour of unrest

When it seems I've nothing left

You speak peace in every breath

For you are always, always with me

For you are always, always with me

In the morning, in the evening

When I'm waking, when I'm sleeping

When I'm arriving, when I'm leaving

You will have me in your keeping

Even from my mother’s womb

Never hidden from your view

I was always known to you

When I fade away in death

You will catch my final breath

You will take me to my rest

For you are always, always with me

For you are always, always with me

Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 11:19-26

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they associated with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.

In today’s scripture, we hear words such as ‘scattered’, ‘persecution’, rejoiced’. So, you could say, there’s a lot going on for the Early Christians here… As we begin to prayerfully ponder this passage, what is the overall sense and mood you get from it?

“The hand of the Lord was with them”. Have you ever felt the hand of the Lord with you? What was this like?

As you listen to the passage read again, you might like to place yourself into the scene as one of the members of the church in Jerusalem… what is it like hearing all the news about the Gospel spreading, mixed in with the persecutions happening?

“…and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’”. The first time Christians were named…a big moment. You might like to spend some time talking with the Lord as one friend would speak to another about what the name and label of ‘Christian’ means to you in your life. How are you carrying this name?

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.