The Holy Spirit said it in the assembly: appoint for Me Saul and Barnabas. In Acts 13 the Church at Antioch is fasting and praying — worship, not a staff meeting — when the Spirit speaks. Father Genard Lazar shows that the same household can hold Herod, struck down for vain glory, and Manaen, his foster brother, counted worthy of the gift of prophecy. Stop stereotyping families, schools, and nations. God shows no partiality (Romans 2:11). He searches the heart.

They were fasting because they were coming to the breaking of the Eucharist. The apostles still heard the Torah in the synagogue; they preached Jesus, the living Word — there was no bound New Testament yet. Ammonius of Alexandria notes that the Spirit does not speak to whoever happens to be in the room, but to those who serve Him and keep the fast. Then they laid hands on them. Why, if the Spirit had already chosen? Because this is apostolic succession: God works through His people, as Moses laid hands on Joshua.

The whole Trinity called Saul: the Father appointed him (Acts 22), the Son appeared on the road (Acts 9), the Spirit sent him (Acts 13). We worship three who are one. Fasting has not been abolished; Christ said, “When you fast.” In the Church of the East the priest does not say, “I baptize.” God baptizes. The same hands still continue.

Key takeaways:

• The Holy Spirit sets apart; the Church lays on hands

• Do not judge a whole house by one Herod — Manaen grew up there too

• Fasting and prayer are the place the Spirit speaks; the Eucharist is why we fast

• Father, Son, and Spirit are one God at work in the calling of the Church

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Because he did not give the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him, and he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12 does not linger on Peter’s escape. It lingers on Herod. Tyre and Sidon, starving in famine, came for peace and flattered him: “The voice of a god, and not of a man.” Father Genard Lazar names the danger. Flattery is a net (Proverbs 29:5). A rebuke finds more favor than a flattering tongue (Proverbs 28:23). Severity made them sue for peace. The peace of Christ is different: John 14:27; Romans 12:17–18.

St. John Chrysostom reads Herod’s death as a confirmation of Christ’s divinity. This man only heard himself called a god and said nothing — and the angel struck. How much more, if Jesus were not God, would He have suffered for saying, “My words are not Mine,” and “My kingdom is not of this world”? He is King. His kingdom is not of this world.

No one can increase or decrease God’s glory. To glorify Him is to praise Him with words, deeds, and actions. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16) — not faith as a slogan with nothing to see. God does not need our service (Acts 17:24–25). We need to walk in His holiness. Do not celebrate the birth of the Savior while living willingly in the sin He came to save you from. Return the vain glory men give you. We are unworthy servants. Herod fell, and the word of God multiplied.

Key takeaways:

• Vain glory kills; ascribe every honor to God

• Flattery calls evil good and spreads a net for your feet

• We glorify God by good works, not lip service

• Herod fell, and the gospel continued to be preached

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Experience the powerful and inspiring message from the 2024 Diocese Retreat’s Eucharistic Service, centered around the theme “Peace Be With Us” (John 14:27). Dive deep into the reflections on Christ’s ministry, his unshakable responses to opposition, and the fulfillment of the law through love and grace.

When do you think deeply — walking, the shower, the pew, the bed? Father Genard Lazar calls those hours downtime: when the mind is clearer, and when the soul can also go dark. Spiritual downtime is not only sadness. It is the season when prayer is irregular, the Christian life feels distant, and the enemy whispers that God has left you.

Do not only feel sorry for yourself. St. Paul writes, “Walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16). Time itself is God’s gift (Genesis 1:1). This is the day the Lord has made (Psalm 118:24). Use the low hour to ask why you are where you are — to admit, confess, and correct. When we humble ourselves, God hears from heaven and forgives (2 Chronicles 7:14). Christ lifted those who were down. Let Him lift you.

A bruised reed He will not break; a faintly burning wick He will not quench (Isaiah 42:3). Christ is the High Priest who can suffer with us. He was tempted in every way and crushed the deceiver. He prayed for Simon in Gethsemane, and He has prayed for you. You were clothed with power in baptism. Tell the enemy: away from me. Examine. Identify. Correct. Be prepared to be lifted by the One who was lifted on the Cross.

Key takeaways:

• Spiritual downtime is a gift of time — use it, do not waste it in self-pity

• Be wise: admit, confess, and correct while the heart is quiet

• Christ will not break the bruised reed or quench the flickering wick

• You are not forsaken; the High Priest has prayed for you

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In this episode, Father Genard reflects on the power of prayer, focusing on Acts chapter 12, where we witness the church's earnest prayers being answered. The story of Simon Peter's miraculous release from prison highlights the impact of the church's prayers. Father Genard delves into the details of the event, where Simon is bound in chains, awaiting execution, and yet, through God's divine intervention, an angel miraculously frees him.

As Father Genard discusses, Simon Peter's release was not an escape but a divine act orchestrated by God to fulfill His perfect will. The message encourages believers to trust in God's timing and not try to escape from life's challenges but to await God's release. Father Genard also shares insights into the importance of commitment in discipleship, pointing to scripture and oral traditions about the apostles' sacrifices, including their commitments to the church over personal lives. He emphasizes that true discipleship requires total commitment, just as the apostles were called to serve the church with undivided devotion.

Join us as Father Genard unpacks these lessons from Acts and offers profound reflections on prayer, God's will, and the call to follow Christ wholeheartedly.

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Imagine yourself locked up for no crime — chained to the wall, guarded, waiting. What would you do? In Acts 12, Simon Peter sleeps. Continuing from last week, Father Genard Lazar reads verses 6 to 9: Herod is about to bring him out, James the brother of John has already been beheaded, and the Church is praying earnestly. Peter is bound with two chains between two soldiers. An angel of the Lord stands by him, a light shines in the prison, the chains fall, and Peter thinks he is seeing a vision.

Why sleep? Because he remembered. After the Lord restored him, Jesus had said that when he was old others would gird him and carry him where he did not wish to go (John 21:18). The Holy Spirit, the Helper sent in Christ’s name, brings that word to remembrance (John 14:26). Like Daniel walking toward the lions, Peter is at peace: if this is the end, let it be His will. He walks — he does not sit — through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4). St. Theodore reads the rod and the staff as the Cross: the upright timber directing us from earth to heaven, the crossbar a rod in the hand against the demons. No weapon formed against the servants of the Lord shall prevail (Isaiah 54:17). We receive that same Spirit in holy baptism. There is no excuse that we did not know.

Why did God not simply keep him from Herod? His ways are not ours (Isaiah 55). An angel is sent — an honor — as when Stephen, being stoned, saw Jesus standing (Acts 7). The King stands for His martyrs. Later Paul and Silas would sing in prison because a jailer was going to convert (Acts 16); here Peter is still, waiting on the Lord’s will. God can do more than we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). All things — the bad and the good — work together for those who love God (Romans 8:28). Whatever predicament you are in, He knows, He sees, He can do all, and He has a perfect purpose. Lay your head down and wait on Him.

Key takeaways:

• Earnest prayer of the Church and remembrance of Christ’s promises bring peace in persecution

• The Holy Spirit received in baptism reminds us of what Jesus has said — we are without excuse

• God honors the martyrs; His timing and His way are not ours

• All things work together for those who love God — wait on Him

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In this episode, Father Genard explores Acts 12:1-5, focusing on the persecution of the early Christians by Herod, who killed James, the brother of John. He raises the question of why God allows such suffering, suggesting that it serves as a warning to the Jewish people and demonstrates the triumph of faith even in death.

Father Genard emphasizes that James's martyrdom reinforces Christ as the true head of the church. He notes that Herod delayed Peter’s execution due to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, possibly to create a spectacle.

Crucially, he highlights the community's response: they offered earnest prayers for Peter, illustrating their unity and love. Father Genard underscores that prayer serves as a refuge, a source of joy, and protection against despair, reminding us of its power in times of trouble.

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In this reflection, Father Genard explores the significance of being properly attired for the wedding feast, drawing on biblical passages like Matthew 22:11-14 and Luke 14:15-35. He emphasizes that the wedding garment symbolizes love, highlighting that while faith and baptism are crucial, they must be accompanied by genuine love to fully partake in the community of the church. 

He warns against being present in faith but lacking love, as true acceptance in the church requires adherence to moral and righteous living. The analogy of being "speechless" before God underlines the importance of self-examination and accountability in our spiritual lives. Ultimately, he calls listeners to ensure they are clothed in love and virtue, as these are essential for entering into the divine banquet prepared for all believers.

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In this episode, Father Genard discusses God’s sovereignty and ownership over creation, emphasizing themes from Matthew 20:15, which highlights God’s right to do as He pleases with what is His. He poses a significant question: What exists that does not belong to God?

He explores the nature of good and evil, referencing Isaiah 45:7, which states that God creates both light and darkness, as well as peace and calamity. This indicates that evils refer not to moral failings but to divine actions that serve a purpose, such as discipline or trials.

Father Genard addresses why believers must obey God, reminding them of their creation and the life breathed into them by God. He emphasizes that wisdom and knowledge are gifts from God, and human limitations are part of His design.

He encourages listeners to recognize that all they have—wealth, health, and abilities—are provisions from God, to be used according to His will. Ultimately, he urges believers to trust in God’s goodness and accept His plans without complaint, reinforcing that God's actions are always for the good of those who follow Him.

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In this podcast episode, Father Genard delves into the power of faith as taught by Jesus in Matthew 17:20, where He explains that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Father Genard reflects on the significance of having an undivided faith, highlighting how even the smallest amount can bring about miraculous change. Through biblical examples, such as the disciples' struggles and the unwavering faith of the Canaanite woman, he emphasizes the importance of persistent belief, fasting, and prayer in overcoming life's greatest challenges. Father Genard encourages listeners to identify their own personal "mountains" and to trust in God’s strength to help them through faith, fasting, and prayer. Ultimately, he calls for a life of worship, continual praise, and deep trust in God's promises.

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If you’d like to make a monetary contribution to this ministry please visit: https://double-edged-sword-podcast.cheddarup.com