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Acts: 12:24-13:5
The word of God continued to spread and grow.
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.
The Word of the Lord.
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Today we hear about the first missionary journey ever recorded in Christianity.
Starting in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas sail west to Cyprus, north into Turkey, south to Jerusalem, and finally back into Syria.
It was a three-year journey filled with risk and reward.
Paul was stoned at least once. He and Barnabas fled for their lives several times. They performed miracles, such as healing a crippled man, and converted many along the way.
This journey also inspired Paul to write some of his pastoral letters, including his Letter to the Galatians.
In spite of widespread persecution, the infant Church grew at a rapid pace.
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How did they do it?
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They were courageous. Even when it meant risking their lives, these Christians believed so strongly in the resurrection that not even the threat of death could stop them.
They were open to the Holy Spirit. As we hear in our first reading, the disciples send Paul and Barnabas on mission only after prayer and fasting – two ways in which we still receive the Holy Spirit today.
They worked in teams. Saint Paul is one of the most travelled missionaries in history. But rarely was he alone. Among those who accompanied him were: Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Luke, Priscilla, and Aquila.
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The Lord needs the same type of disciples today: people who are courageous, who are open to the Holy Spirit, and who are team players.
If we follow Paul’s example, then the Good News will continue to spread throughout our community – and beyond.
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Image credits: (1) Got Questions (2) Community in Mission, Archdiocese of Washington, WordPress (3) Jake Kail Ministries