Reading 1 Acts 12:24—13:5a
After Barnabas and Saul completed their relief mission,
they returned to Jerusalem,
taking with them John, who is called Mark.
Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, completing their fasting and prayer,
they laid hands on them and sent them off.
So they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit,
went down to Seleucia
and from there sailed to Cyprus.
When they arrived in Salamis,
they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.
Responsorial Psalm PS 67:2-3, 5, 6 and 8
or:
R. Alleluia.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia Jn 8:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Jn 12:44-50
“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him,
for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words
has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,
it will condemn him on the last day,
because I did not speak on my own,
but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
And I know that his commandment is eternal life.
So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
HOME RUN
"Barnabas and Saul…sent forth by the Holy Spirit…set sail from there for Cyprus." –Acts 13:2, 4
Barnabas was the leader for the Church's first missionary trip, as indicated by the fact that his name came before Saul's. Of all the possible destinations in a world without the Lord, the Holy Spirit sent Barnabas home, to Cyprus (Acts 13:4). Remember that Barnabas came "from Cyprus" (Acts 4:36). After evangelizing Cyprus, Barnabas and Saul evangelized numerous cities. Thus, with home serving as a launching pad, "the word of the Lord continued to spread and increase" (Acts 12:24).
Jesus once delivered a man from possession by demons. The man wanted to "accompany Him. Jesus did not grant his request, but told him instead: 'Go home to your family and make it clear to them how much the Lord in His mercy has done for you' " (Mk 5:18-19). He did this, but he then expanded his evangelization to the Ten Cities (Mk 5:20). With home as a launching pad, "the word of the Lord continued to spread and increase" (Acts 12:24).
Are you confused about your mission field? It could be that God is sending you home to start His mission for you. It may be easier to evangelize strangers than it is to share your witness with your brother, sister, or friend. Jesus understands that you may not be accepted at home (see Lk 4:24). Your witness could also cause division for a time at home (see Mt 10:34-36). However, if you don't love your hometown people enough to risk possible rejection to bring them the good news of Jesus, what makes you think you'll love strangers enough to evangelize them? Whether or not you succeed at home, with home as a launching pad, the word of the Lord will continue "to spread and increase" (Acts 12:24).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I bear fruit where You plant me. May all in my home and my hometown come to know, love, and serve You. |
| PROMISE: | "I have come to the world as its Light." –Jn 12:46 |
| PRAISE: | Sarah's patience and prayers influenced her husband to look into becoming Catholic. |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment