Dominican Friars
Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

A Word of Hope

A Word of Hope

The persecution of the early community forced it to spread out and to preach the Good News not only to Jews, but to Greeks as well, and great numbers became Christians. In the same way, our lives need to expand the witnessing of the Good News so that it reaches everyone.

Acts 11:19-26

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they associated with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.

(New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org)

A Word of Hope with dove

Every day the Chicago Dominicans offer "A Word of Hope" video to bolster our faith through these trying times. You can see them here, and you can have them emailed to you each morning by signing up for our email service:

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    26 Mar • By God's power

    The prophet Isaiah tried and thought he failed, but then was promised that by God's hand he would become a light to the nations. God can use each of us in this task, not because of our greatness, but because of God's.
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    25 Mar • Sincerity

    With love, Mary poured perfumed oil on Jesus' hair, while Judas complained that the money could have been used to help the poor. But Judas was not sincere, caring more about the money than the poor. Let us walk with Jesus in sincerity this Holy Week.
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    23 Mar • For the good of all

    In today's Gospel we get a hint that Caiaphas wants to kill Jesus in order to maintain his political power. Today our politicians sometimes try to protect their vested interest rather than working for the common good.
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    21 Mar • The Communion of Saints

    Jesus argues with the Jewish authorities that Abraham is still alive in God and looking upon this moment, and that he is one with God. This is the Communion of Saints, made possible by Jesus, and today is a day to feel our connection to those who have died but are alive in heaven.
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    20 Mar • Integrity

    Hanaiah, Azariah, and Mishael chose to be cast into the fire rather than worship a Babylonian god. People will expect us to do all sorts of things, be all sorts of people. Do we know ourselves and have the integrity to act with integrity?
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    19 Mar • How to have a happy death

    On this Feast of St. Joseph, we remember him as the patron saint of happy deaths, since he died presumably with Mary and Jesus at his side. Some planning ahead and conversing with loved ones can make your dying moments more likely to go better.
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    18 Mar • Courage and mercy

    Today's readings are full of sin, but in the first, courage and wisdom are shown to be more powerful than sin, and in the Gospel, mercy is stronger than sin. So we acknowledge sin in the world, but also that it is not the whole picture.
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    17 Mar • Turn to the cross

    This is the point in Lent when we turn with Jesus to face the cross ahead, hearing the words, "unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest."
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    13 Mar • Dive in

    The Prophet Isaiah invited those who were suffering to come out and feel God's saving power. We are also invited to dive into the river of God's grace, and to invite others to do the same.
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    12 Mar • Down the road

    Ezekiel had a vision of a trickle of water flowing from the temple, but growing greater and greater as it flowed through the world. In the same way, the recognition of the dignity and call to mission that baptism confers on all people that was affirmed at the Second Vatican Council is bearing greater and greater fruit as the years pass.
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    6 Mar • What you have seen

    In Deuteronomy we hear, "Do not forget the things your own eyes have seen." We need to remember that today, for we have all seen glimpses of the great things God has done for us in the first words or first steps of a child. It is what we have already see that should give us hope for what is possible in our world.
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