Tuesday Readings

Acts 9:31-43
The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the holy Spirit it grew in numbers. As Peter was passing through every region, he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been confined to bed for eight years, for he was paralyzed. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.” He got up at once. And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated means Dorcas). She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving. Now during those days she fell sick and died, so after washing her, they laid (her) out in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs where all the widows came to him weeping and showing him the tunics and cloaks that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to her body and said, “Tabitha, rise up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. He gave her his hand and raised her up, and when he had called the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord. And he stayed a long time in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.

Mark 13:9-13
“Watch out for yourselves. They will hand you over to the courts. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will be arraigned before governors and kings because of me, as a witness before them. But the gospel must first be preached to all nations. When they lead you away and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say. But say whatever will be given to you at that hour. For it will not be you who are speaking but the holy Spirit. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

We see in the Acts of the Apostles how powerful Peter is in his preaching and miracles. He is loved by those in the church. When Jesus says, “you will be hated by all,” he is speaking about those outside the church, and also about those within the church who are unfaithful or unloving. Luckily, while we will be hated by others, God will continue to love us and send his Spirit to guide us. It is the love and approval of God that matters, not the lobe and approval from others.

Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
Lord of might,
we beg you to hear our prayer and petitions.
Restore our consciences that have been deformed by sin,
dress our wounds,
and pour upon us the oil of your kindness.
Thus, walking calm and secure amid the waves of this world’s
ocean,
we shall offer you at all times the fruits of thanksgiving pleasing to you.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to you be glory,
now and forever.
Amen.