Scattered No More

“There broke out a severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered
throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria,
except the Apostles.”

Acts 8:1b

St. Bede said, “It was with Paul's consent that the occurrence of tribulation became the seed-bed of the Church.” At this time, Paul was still Saul. With the death of Stephen, severe persecutions of the Church commenced, causing the believers and perhaps those who were interested in the faith to scatter, and Saul supported it and condoned it. However, this time, unlike in the night and in the garden, the Apostles remained steadfast and did not scatter. They were changed, transformed men. Saul too will soon be transformed. Are we transformed people? Do we flee from suffering or do we endure and embrace it, allowing God to use them to bring good out of it?

At face value we may see this scattering as disappointing and discouraging, but it really was the opposite. We are told that those who were scattered did not do so to hide, but that they went to preach the word! The Apostles stayed together in body and in mind and in spirit. Then from there they went on mission. Philip went to Samaria to preach and crowds were drawn and they listened. This persecution facilitated the mission by Jesus to preach the word to all people and nations. Many came to hear the word and knew Jesus because of this persecution. Good always come forth from suffering.

In this loud and noisy world today where Christ and His Church is being persecuted, may we ask for the courage to remain faithful and may this steadfastness bear witness to the Word who was made flesh, so that even the scattered-hearted may hear the word and come to know the Risen Lord.