changing lemons into lemonade
"The members of the church who had been dispersed went about preaching the word." —Acts 8:4
When Christians are being run out of town (see Acts 8:1), they run the devil out of town (Acts 8:7). When the Church is practically paralyzed and crippled because of being persecuted, it heals the paralytics and cripples (Acts 8:7). When Christians are bewailing loudly (see Acts 8:2) the deaths of the modern-day martyrs, city after city throughout the world is filled with great joy because it has heard and accepted the gospel (see Acts 8:8).
The Lord works everything together for the good of the Church (see Rm 8:28). "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rm 8:31) The One in us is greater than the prince of this world (see 1 Jn 4:4; Jn 14:30). God's wounded become healers. "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church" (Tertullian). "Continually we carry about in our bodies the dying of Jesus, so that in our bodies the life of Jesus may also be revealed" (2 Cor 4:10). "There is no chaining the word of God!" (2 Tm 2:9)
"Despite the increase of sin, grace has far surpassed it" (Rm 5:20). "When I am powerless, it is then that I am strong" (2 Cor 12:10). "In all this we are more than conquerors because of Him Who has loved us" (Rm 8:37).
Prayer: Father, change my mourning into dancing (Ps 30:12).
Promise: "No one who comes will I ever reject." —Jn 6:37
Praise: Having been emotionally abused as a child, Tina, now healed by Jesus, draws upon that experience to compassionately minister to others in similar circumstances.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, October 4, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 1999