Daily Retreat 05/06/09
2009 May 6 Wed:Easter Weekday
Acts 12:24 -- 13:5a/ Ps 66(67):2-3. 5. 6 and 8/ Jn 12:44-50
From today’s readings: “The word of God continued to spread and grow.... May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear Him.... I came into the world as Light, so that everyone who believes in Me might not remain in darkness.”
Spread the Word!
Many bibles include a map of the missionary journeys mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, and consulting such an atlas is extremely helpful in following the work of the Apostles and the spread of the Gospel. The lectionary verses today recount the beginning of what is often labeled “Paul’s First Missionary Journey,” which continues through the end of chapter 14 of the Acts. Initially, Paul’s companion Barnabas, who had been a Christian longer (cf. Acts 4:36), probably took the lead by virtue of his experience, which may explain why the first mission stop was in Cyprus, the native land of Barnabas. They were also initially accompanied by “John, who is called Mark,” although he returned to Jerusalem at an early stage of the mission (13:13).
This journey marks a crucial turning point in the book of Acts. Previously, evangelization was mainly the result of the circumstantial travel of the apostles and disciples, especially the dispersion that occurred after the martyrdom of St. Stephen (cf. 8:1ff). Now, however, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul, driven by ambitious missionary elan, set out to proclaim the gospel to peoples who had never even heard of Jesus!
Evangelizing and proselytizing are crucial hallmarks of Christianity. If the Apostles had not spent their lives in missionary activity after Christ’s Resurrection, you and I would probably have never had much of an opportunity to welcome Christ’s gospel. And so, for our part, there should come a similar “turning point” in our own lives, when the Holy Spirit helps us realize that merely “keeping the faith” is NOT enough - we need to share it, and do our part, so that in this time and place, the word of God continues to spread and grow!
Acts 12:24 -- 13:5a/ Ps 66(67):2-3. 5. 6 and 8/ Jn 12:44-50
From today’s readings: “The word of God continued to spread and grow.... May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear Him.... I came into the world as Light, so that everyone who believes in Me might not remain in darkness.”
Spread the Word!
Many bibles include a map of the missionary journeys mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, and consulting such an atlas is extremely helpful in following the work of the Apostles and the spread of the Gospel. The lectionary verses today recount the beginning of what is often labeled “Paul’s First Missionary Journey,” which continues through the end of chapter 14 of the Acts. Initially, Paul’s companion Barnabas, who had been a Christian longer (cf. Acts 4:36), probably took the lead by virtue of his experience, which may explain why the first mission stop was in Cyprus, the native land of Barnabas. They were also initially accompanied by “John, who is called Mark,” although he returned to Jerusalem at an early stage of the mission (13:13).
This journey marks a crucial turning point in the book of Acts. Previously, evangelization was mainly the result of the circumstantial travel of the apostles and disciples, especially the dispersion that occurred after the martyrdom of St. Stephen (cf. 8:1ff). Now, however, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul, driven by ambitious missionary elan, set out to proclaim the gospel to peoples who had never even heard of Jesus!
Evangelizing and proselytizing are crucial hallmarks of Christianity. If the Apostles had not spent their lives in missionary activity after Christ’s Resurrection, you and I would probably have never had much of an opportunity to welcome Christ’s gospel. And so, for our part, there should come a similar “turning point” in our own lives, when the Holy Spirit helps us realize that merely “keeping the faith” is NOT enough - we need to share it, and do our part, so that in this time and place, the word of God continues to spread and grow!
posted by FrPitstick | 5/05/2009
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