< <  

Saturday, February 6, 1999

  > >

St. Paul Miki & Companions


Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21
Psalm 23
Mark 6:30-34

View Readings
Similar Reflections

teachers' college

"He began to teach them at great length." —Mark 6:34

Jesus is the Teacher. The people's reaction to Jesus' ministry was: "A completely new teaching in a spirit of authority!" (Mk 1:27) Jesus was and is always teaching. He taught even while hanging on the cross. When Mary Magdalene recognized Jesus risen from the dead, she exclaimed " 'Rabbouni!' (meaning 'Teacher')" (Jn 20:16). On the afternoon of the day of His resurrection, Jesus walked about seven miles with two of His disciples and "interpreted for them every passage of Scripture which referred to Him" (Lk 24:27). That evening, the risen Jesus continued to teach. "He opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures" (Lk 24:45). Jesus continues to teach us daily until His final coming.

Therefore, the body of Christ, the Church, must be constantly teaching. When the Church was born at the first Christian Pentecost, she immediately devoted herself to the apostles' teaching (Acts 2:42). Soon the apostles were arrested for filling Jerusalem with teaching about Jesus (Acts 5:28). "Day after day, both in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching" (Acts 5:42). After Saul taught the people in the church of Antioch for a year, they were the first to be called Christians (Acts 11:26).

Teaching is essential to God's plan of salvation. Learn and teach.

Prayer:  Father, make me teachable.

Promise:  "May the God of peace, Who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord, furnish you with all that is good, that you may do His will." —Heb 13:20-21

Praise:  St. Paul Miki's companions in martyrdom by crucifixion included the Mexican, St. Philip de las Casas, and the Indian, St. Gonsalo Garcia. Together they witnessed from their crosses to the people of Japan.

Reference:  (You may be called to be a student of Our Lady of Guadalupe Bible College. Contact us for information at 513-662-5378.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 23, 1998


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 27, 1998