The fundamentals of the group were:
Rosary, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Fasting, and Scripture.
There was no plan (at least not of human origin). There was no 'mission statement' (at least not of human origin). They really didn't even have a place to meet (this was due to human origins, which at the time were a mix of political and ecclesial).
To this day---they still meet.
Last evening I was invited to attend an interesting gathering of college age youth for a cup of joe at a coffee shop. It was the second such time I've had a cup with them.
I don't think it is of human origin.
Fortunately they are not dealing with persecution and they enjoy the freedom to worship and pray anywhere.
But that isn't to say they don't feel and aren't affected by satan's pings
.
Come on--how many young adults gather in a coffee shop and talk seriously about the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
So Mary brought them together.
Last evening they kept asking; "Okay, we're here--now what?"
They were getting caught up in a plan--it's so easy to do and it can become a divergence.
Finally someone said: "Let's do what we always did--pray, fast, Eucharist, confession, and scripture."
Yeh--not of human origin.
By the way, here is something neat, check out today's scripture reading at Mass: Acts 5:34-42
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| Tissot--Meal with Apostle |
A Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel,
a teacher of the law, respected by all the people,
stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,
and said to the Sanhedrin, “Fellow children of Israel,
be careful what you are about to do to these men.
Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important,
and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed,
and all those who were loyal to him
were disbanded and came to nothing.
After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census.
He also drew people after him,
but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.
So now I tell you,
have nothing to do with these men, and let them go.
For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin,
it will destroy itself.
But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them;
you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
They were persuaded by him.
After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged,
ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus,
and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing that they had been found worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes,
they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.
a teacher of the law, respected by all the people,
stood up, ordered the Apostles to be put outside for a short time,
and said to the Sanhedrin, “Fellow children of Israel,
be careful what you are about to do to these men.
Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important,
and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed,
and all those who were loyal to him
were disbanded and came to nothing.
After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census.
He also drew people after him,
but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.
So now I tell you,
have nothing to do with these men, and let them go.
For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin,
it will destroy itself.
But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them;
you may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
They were persuaded by him.
After recalling the Apostles, they had them flogged,
ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus,
and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing that they had been found worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.
And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes,
they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.
If you ask me--I believe the Virgin has a pretty big hand in this.
