"Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Thus Philip went down to [the] city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them." - Acts 8:4-5
I destroyed a fair number of dandelions growing up. They're the fluff flowers that some people cruelly play pranks with. I still can't refrain from picking them when I see them and blowing with all my might to destroy them. However, as much as it may initially appear that the dandelion has been conquered, they live again and spread.
How difficult it must have been for the early church to understand that their message of a resurrected life would be met with such destructive forces. How astounding it was then for them to find that instead of the destructing being the end, new life would spring forth. The early Church learned and we continue to experience today, that our God is never outdone in creating and bringing forth new life. The red-seeded dandelion reveals this truth of nature, that death can bring forth new life. May we live a courageous Gospel that looks through the realities of our own day to witness the ways that faith spreads anew.
What are places that I've witnessed the Lord bringing forth new life around me?
Lord, help me to see where You bring forth life.
Reflection by:
Fr. Chuck Dornquast
Did You Know...
Fr.? Chuck Dornquast is a son of St. Joseph Parish in Zephyrhills. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School he entered seminary where he would spend the next 9 years. While in seminary he spent time at many of our diocesan parishes and discovered more and more the heart of Christ the High Priest within him. After ordination he spent his first 4 years of priesthood as the associate pastor of St. Lawrence in Tampa. He currently serves the Diocese of St. Petersburg as the Director of Vocations.
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