In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach … - Acts 1:1

Today's Scripture Reading (February 26, 2024): Acts 1

A story is told of an old monastery that had fallen upon hard times. Centuries earlier, it had been a thriving monastery where many dedicated monks lived and worked and greatly influenced the realm. But now, only five monks lived there, all over seventy years old. The monastery clearly housed a dying order.

A few miles from the monastery lived an old hermit who many thought was a prophet. One day, as the monks agonized over the impending demise of their order, they decided to visit the hermit to see if he might have some advice for them. Perhaps he could see the future and show them what they could do to save the monastery.

The hermit welcomed the five monks to his hut, but when they explained the purpose of their visit, the hermit could only commiserate with them. "Yes, I understand how it is," said the hermit. "The Spirit has gone out of the people. Hardly anyone cares for the old things anymore."

"Is there anything you can tell us," the abbot inquired of the hermit, "that would help us save the monastery?"

"No, I'm sorry," said the hermit. "I don't know how your monastery can be saved. I can only tell you that one of you is an apostle of God." The monks were both disappointed and confused by the hermit's cryptic statement. They returned to the monastery, wondering what the hermit could have meant by the statement, "One of you is an apostle of God." The monks pondered the significance of the hermit's words for months after their visit.

"One of us is an apostle of God," they mused. "Did he actually mean one of the monks here at the monastery? That's impossible. We are all too old. We are too insignificant. On the other hand, what if it is true? And if it is true, then which one of us is it? Do you suppose he meant the abbot? Yes, if he meant anyone, he probably meant the abbot. He has been our leader for more than a generation. On the other hand, he might have meant Brother Thomas. Certainly, Brother Thomas is a holy man of wisdom and light. He couldn't have meant Brother Elred. Elred gets crotchety at times and is difficult to reason with. On the other hand, he is almost always right. Maybe the hermit did mean Brother Elred. But surely he didn't mean Brother Phillip. Phillip is so passive, so shy, a real nobody. Still, he's always there when you need him. He's loyal and trustworthy; yes, he could have meant Phillip. Of course, the hermit didn't mean me. He couldn't possibly have meant me. I'm just an ordinary person. Yet, suppose he did? Suppose I am an apostle of God? Oh God, not me. I couldn't live up to such a position. Or could I?"

As they contemplated this matter, the old monks began to treat each other with extraordinary respect on the off chance that one of them might be an apostle of God. And on the off, off chance that each monk himself might be the apostle spoken of by the hermit, each monk began to treat himself with extraordinary respect.

Because the monastery was situated in a beautiful forest, many people came to picnic on its tiny lawn, walk on its paths, and occasionally go into the small chapel to meditate. As they did so, even without being conscious of it, they sensed the aura of extraordinary respect that now began to surround the five monks and seemed to radiate out of them, permeating the atmosphere of the place. There was something strangely attractive, even compelling, about it. Hardly knowing why, people came back to the monastery more frequently to picnic, play, and pray. They began to bring their friends to show them this special place. And their friends brought more friends.

As more and more visitors came, some of the younger men started to talk to the old monks. After a while, one asked if he could join them. Then another. And another. Within a few years, the monastery had once again become a thriving order and, thanks to the hermit's gift, a vibrant center of light and spirituality.

Luke had already introduced Theophilus to Jesus and the movement that started during his time on earth. But the story didn't end there. It would continue and spread. Maybe some believed that the movement was about to die, but as Jesus's followers began to treat each other with respect, it could only grow stronger.

Theophilus, here are their stories!

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Acts 2