Once she was sowing among all [the people] the most salutary seed of the Word of the Lord, as was her custom, she saw nine men in the particular guise of a vain and diabolical cult who shouted loudly and were greatly disturbed in mind…The most reverent and kindly Brigit preached to them with many sweet words, urging them to abandon their mortal errors and to expunge their crimes by heartfelt contrition and true repentance. But they stupidly went their own way, determined to fulfill their empty vows…
– Cogitosus, The Life of St. Brigit the Virgin
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed…
– Acts 17.32-34
Rely on the Word
This story seems to have the ring of true history. It shows us that a significant part of Brigit’s ministry consisted of teaching the Word of God. It “was her custom” to sow good Kingdom seed among the people in her paruchia, the community in and around her monastery.
She did not appear to be disturbed or frightened by the appearance of this “cult” of nine men who, by their clamoring, were disrupting her teaching. She simply turned her teaching more pointedly to their need, calling them to forsake their wickedness, repent of all their sins, and receive the Word of the Lord. They refused and “stupidly” went their own way. In the face of madness and violence, Brigit relied on the Word of God.
As the story continues, it seems this band of nine men convinced themselves a man was attacking them, so they speared and hacked him until he was dead. But when the people of the community checked, no one had been killed and everyone was accounted for. This caused some of the members of the cult to realize the madness of what they were doing, and they “turned back to God through penance.”
Not all of them, apparently, and this lends credibility to the story. Brigit was fearless and resolute in proclaiming to this band of wild men that they should repent and believe the Word of the Lord. It took a bit more convincing, but some of them finally did. We hear no more about the rest.
Not all will believe
As it was when Brigit sowed the good seed of the Kingdom, so it was with Paul. In Paul’s witness on Mars Hill, we learn what to expect when we share the Good News of Jesus. Not everyone will believe. Some will scoff at and mock us. Others will put us off but agree to talk again. And some, a few, will believe and join with us in following Jesus.
We shouldn’t expect that everyone with whom we share our testimony and proclaim the Gospel will believe. Sin is so powerful that it can make people mad, blind to the truth, unable to hear God’s sweet invitation, and unwilling to acknowledge their need for salvation. We can’t do anything about that except, like Brigit, to pour forth “prayers to God that all may be saved”.
We must follow-up with those who would like to talk further. Start reading the Gospel of John with them. Or invite them to ask questions, raise objections, seek more insight and understanding. Share more detail about how Jesus has affected your life in this mad and violent world. Keep coming back to the Gospel, to make sure they understand how to be saved.
For all who believe, we must immediately get them into the Word and lead them in beginning to pray. Use the Lord’s prayer for the latter, and start reading the Word with them, getting together to share and study and read aloud. We must work to ground in His Word those who believe in Jesus, showing them how they can learn to meet Him on every page (Jn. 5.39).
Our mad and violent world needs the Gospel. We are God’s appointed witnesses (Acts 1.8). By every means and at every opportunity, let us bring the Word of Jesus to the people in our Personal Mission Field. And let us continue praying earnestly for them all and living lives of loving service before them. Not all will believe, but all will see and hear the difference Jesus can make. And this is the most we can do.
For reflection
1. Have you mapped out your Personal Mission Field?
2. What opportunities for ministering the Word of the Lord do you expect to have this week?
Psalm 71.17, 18, 3
(Solid Rock: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less)
O LORD, I praise Your righteousness
Who me from youth have taught and blessed.
Forsake me not when I am old,
’til I Your mercies all have told!
Refrain
A Rock of habitation be;
command Your Word to rescue me;
my Rock and Fortress ever be!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we conclude our study of the place of God’s Law in His Kingdom. Our Read Moore podcast continues working through The Gospel of the Kingdom, working to understand the true Gospel of the Lord. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
