4 May 2013 - per mission basis

4 May 2013 - per mission basis

Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith
and increased in number.

Why were the churches growing stronger?  It was because of the mission that Paul was on.

As they traveled from city to city,
they handed on to the people for observance the decisions
reached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem.

He is helping them stay connected to the universal Church.  In that connection they are able to grow stronger and increase in number.

That said, it isn't a simple or formulaic mission.  It is effective because he is attentive to the Holy Spirit.  He doesn't go places when the Spirit doesn't permit.

but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them,

And when the Spirit calls he is quick to respond.

we sought passage to Macedonia at once, 
concluding that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them.

Jesus knows who is longing for him and who is ready to receive his Good News.

If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

If we are attentive to him we will find people ready to hear.  Most of the world will see this Good News as an imposition which limits its freedom.  The Good News calls us out from the passions which enslave us.  But these are the passions on which the whole system of life in the world is built.  That is why the world can't be open to the good news.

If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;

But mankind is made for more than this.

and I have chosen you out of the world,

We must listen to the Spirit so that if Jesus wants us to help call people out of the world and to reveal all that he has in store for them we will be ready.

There is not a single person whom he doesn't love.  He calls out to the whole world.  He makes us all and desires only that we come to know the perfect joy which is in him alone.

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.