REFLECTIONS TODAY
The preaching of the Kingdom of God did not die with Jesus on the cross. Inspired and empowered by the risen Christ, it was continued by the Twelve apostles and other ministers of the Word. The followers of Jesus started as a small band of Jews in Jerusalem, but later expanded to new communities of believers, which included both Jews and Greek-speaking converts. “It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26). From their ranks stood out Barnabas, “a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith” (Act 11:24). He and Paul were set apart by the Holy Spirit and commissioned to proclaim the Kingdom of God where they were being sent by the Spirit. Thus the mission to the Gentiles had its beginning.
Jesus says that the disciples have received the Gospel without cost; without cost they are to give it. This reminds us of the slogan of the fifth centenary of the Christianization of the Philippines: Gifted to Give. Christian faith is a gift by God, an unmerited gift. The Bishops of the Philippines have pointed this out: “The Lord of history, without any merits of our own, first gave the priceless gift of the Christian faith to our people and land... We thank God’s goodness for this gift of faith, and beg for the grace that our people may persevere in it” (CBCP Pastoral Exhortation 2012).
May the Lord send to the Church people like St. Barnabas, “good people, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.