The Acts of the Apostles continues in today's readings. The words of St. Luke make clear how much suffering weighed upon both Paul and Barnabas. Being a new voice crying out to the people, these two did not back down from their mission even tough they were violently abused. They "spoke out boldly."
Seeing that some of their own Jewish colleagues or friends rejected the Word of God, that became their sermon as they turned to the Gentiles. They made real earlier words from the Old Testament (Isaiah 49:6): "I have made you a light to the Gentiles that you may be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth."
When you read these words, perhaps you might consider if you think of yourself as one called to bring a light to others. And to whom are you called to bring the light of faith? What is your role as a bearer of the light of faith to others?
Perhaps we in the Catholic Church, especially in America might consider how we can make real the message that Jesus does care for each of us. What an awe-filled challenge it may be for each of us to recognize that you are called by God, by Jesus Christ to "be an instrument of salvation" to those seeking to know the God who is the way, the truth and the life! This is truly a reality that should bring us to our knees before the loving Jesus Christ.
For some this challenge may seem too much. Indeed our imagination and ego may bring us to care more about our safety, our own reputation, than to understand fully the noble vocation God invites us to follow. Yet the words of the gospel for today's readings reaffirms for that to be in the loving and caring hand of Jesus is not an impossibility. There is a true call to community rather than individualism which leads to isolation as recently noted by Pope Benedict XVI. "And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (Jn 14:14). Can you receive any clearer or stronger affirmation than that? God loves us so much that he will grant success to our challenges simply to asking what we perceive as needed.
Yesterday our Holy Father, speaking to an ecumenical group of church leaders at St. Joseph's Church, Yorkville, NYC, NY suggested that, like Paul and Barnabas, we "must offer others transparent reasons for our hope ... that Jesus is Risen."
