May 12, 2025 // Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter // Optional Memorial of Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs; Optional Memorial of Saint Pancras, Martyr
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Acts 11:1-18
Reflect on the Word //
The women’s faces looked at me with a mixture of expressions. The large hall allowed for them to sit at the big round tables together with their chairs all turned toward the podium. Half-drunk coffees and crumbs from breakfast lay forgotten when the women traded their napkins for ink pens poised to take notes. Their expressions were peaceful, thoughtful, or even anticipating. Taking a deep breath, I began to apply the concept I was explaining by sharing a story with an all-too-familiar opening: “So, the other day, I was talking with the Lord . . .”
When Peter is confronted in the First Reading, he responds with confidence and tells his story explaining it to them step by step, starting with, “I was at prayer. . .” (Acts 11:4-5). What follows is a beautiful application of his prayer and confirmation that he was indeed on the right path. One can hear the excitement in Peter’s voice come through in his words, and feel the conversion of hearts in the listeners who give praise to God. A confrontation became an opportunity to come together and learn from Peter, to see how he was making his decisions and following the direction of the Lord.
Like Peter, we all have a story to share. Our stories are evolving and unfolding each moment and sometimes we aren't even aware. If we can just pause each day and take a moment to see the story of the Lord unfolding in our midst, we are able to come to a clearer understanding of it all. And that starts with prayer. That must be the beginning of each of our many stories.
Dear sister, every time we are confronted, we, too, have the opportunity to convert hearts to the truth through our stories. The First Reading today gives us a beautiful template for doing so. We answer the accusation step by step, proclaiming truth and giving evidence of a good and loving God. We share our excitement in His direction with honesty, trusting that He will convict them of the truth if we simply share our story step by step.
Relate to the Lord // What story would you tell starting with this prompt: “So, the other day, I was talking with the Lord . . .”? Tell a friend today.
Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett is a writer, national speaker, and podcast host covering topics in psychology and faith. She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and works at the important intersection of faith and developmental science, blending them in the original harmony God intended. Dr. Mary Ruth is the author of Daughter by Design: Discovering Your Identity as God's Beloved Daughter, and co-coauthor of Spiritual Discernment for Beginners: Learning to Hear God and Defeat the Lies of the Enemy. She is a contributing author to All She Had and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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