@FirstChurchofJerusalem
Today's Early Church Wisdom
“I shall not hesitate also to put into ordered form for you, along with the interpretations, everything I learned carefully in the past from the elders and noted down carefully, for the truth of which I vouch. For unlike most people, I took no pleasure in those who told many different stories, but only in those who taught the truth. Nor did I take pleasure in those who reported their memory of someone else’s commandments, but only in those who reported their memory of the commandments given by the Lord to the faith and proceeding from the Truth itself. And if by chance anyone who had been in attendance on the elders arrived, I made enquiries about the words of the elders—what Andrew or Peter had said, or Philip or Thomas or James or John or Matthew or any other of the Lord’s disciples, and whatever Aristion and John the Elder, the Lord’s disciples, were saying. For I did not think that information from the books would profit me as much as information from a living and surviving voice.
~ Papias of Hierapolis (c. 60–130 AD) From the Preface to his lost ‘Expositions of the Sayings of the Lord’
This week's Psalm is Psalm 31 'My Rock, My Shield, My Song'

Be Still and Turn

There is an implicit warning contained in Jesus’ words: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). He speaks directly; with the clarity and emphasis one might expect from One who is describing the very path to fullness of life. He presents an invitation, yes, but as an imperative rather than a mere suggestion. He knows that to refuse His offer is to choose death rather than life. For all those who reject this invitation, knowingly or unknowingly choose a path of unnecessary suffering and pain, a path of continued separation from God, which will continue beyond the grave, at least until they choose Him. We learn from childhood that it is wise to heed the warning signs in life. Some are louder and clearer than others, but even the faint merit attention. Once driving abroad on an elevated section of motorway, I stopped when I saw a single bollard in the middle of the road. I’m glad that I did, for only a few metres beyond, the elevated road had completely collapsed. I would have plunged to certain death had I not heeded the message of the sign that day. There is no ambiguity or lack of clarity in the message of Christ. It is always time to stop and turn our hearts and lives to Him.