Tuesday, May 21

Tuesday, May 21

Today’s Prayer and Reflection:

It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22)

St. Paul must have made quite an impact when he spoke these words. He had just returned from traveling to Derbe, Lystra, and Pisidian Antioch, preaching the gospel as he went. But the Paul who came back to them probably looked noticeably worse than the Paul who had first visited them a few months earlier. Not only had he been subjected to “violent abuse” by some of his detractors, but he had also been stoned and left for dead (Acts 13:45; 14:19)!

So there he was, a living illustration of what it meant to “undergo many hardships” for the sake of Christ (Acts 14:22). Let’s imagine what he might have said to them:

Brothers and sisters, look at me. Do you see the bruises on my face and how I still limp? Look, but don’t let the memory of the anger and violence of the crowd overtake you. Instead, think about Jesus and his power to heal and to save. If one person comes to faith in him, I will consider all these scars and bruises to have been worth it.

I stand before you today as a living reminder that believing in Jesus doesn’t shield you from hardship. Sometimes your faith will invite it! But try to follow my lead. After some people from Antioch and Iconium and Lystra tried to kill me, I didn’t give up. Instead, I returned to them later. It wasn’t easy, but I found the grace to forgive them, to overcome my fears, and to persevere.

My dear friends, I know that you also are undergoing hardships. You may be suffering from a family member’s mockery of your faith. You may be bearing unseen wounds in your heart. Persevere through all of these challenges! Never let go of your faith!

Remember that Jesus is indeed alive in you: in your hope, your joy, and your generosity to one another. He promised that your love would win people over. So hold fast to him, and let him sustain you.

“Jesus, help me cling to you in my hardships. Lord, I trust that you will not abandon me.”

Reprinted with permission of The Word Among Us, 7115 Guilford Dr #100, Frederick, MD 21704, wau.org.

Today’s Announcements:

  • Happy birthday to Jade Agler, Conner Atwell, and Ana McCarty!
  • We will take exams in first and second periods this morning. Lunch will be based on your second period class. Remember that there are no checkouts during exam periods.
  • All textbooks must be returned by Thursday to the library.
  • Ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade students, your Chromebooks (and chargers) will be left with your seventh period teacher on Thursday.
  • All cafeteria balances and other account balances must be paid this week.
  • The women’s track team is reminded that Herff-Jones will be here today during both lunch periods to size and get your deposit of $60 for your state ring.
  • If you haven’t picked up your Sister Act shirts, please get them from Sr. Kelly. Mrs. Trahan will be back on Thursday and will have the black fall shirts and a few shirts from past performances.
  • Tryouts for the 2020 junior varsity and varsity baseball team will be held on Tuesday, May 28 at 3 p.m. Students must be registered and have an up to date physical to try out. If you have any questions, please see Coach Burger.
  • Anyone interested in running for an office in robotics for the 2019-20 school year should see Mrs. Worrel by the end of the day on Wednesday.
  • After school detention will be in room 116 with Mr. Eleuterius.