In today’s first reading, Acts 11: 19-26, we learn that
those who had been scattered by the persecution that followed the murder of
Stephen did not cowl in fear but went forth to other places to proclaim “the
Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them,” the author of Acts, tells us,
and “a great number who believed turned to the Lord.” Barnabas was sent to
Antioch and, when he arrived, he “saw the grace of God,” and rejoiced and
encouraged the people to whom he had been sent to “remain faithful to the Lord
in firmness of heart.”
Wow! What testimony! What courage! And what a commitment to
the Lord God! Would you and I, I ask, after witnessing a disciple of the Lord
being stoned to death and fleeing persecution continue to “proclaim the Lord
Jesus”? Would we, in arriving at a new
city/town/country recognize “the grace of God” working in strangers? Do we
recognize God at work in those with whom we live? Within those with whom we
worship each Sunday? Within our co-workers?
May we, every day, take time to reflect upon the Scriptures
of the daily liturgy, or any other Scripture or spiritually-uplifting reading. Doing
so, we will grow in our awareness of God at work in others, and in ourselves. We
will awaken our ability to rejoice and encourage others in their faith
development and in using their faith to bring others to Jesus!
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