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Acts: 11: 17-28
Those who had been scattered by the persecution
that arose because of Stephen
went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but Jews.
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,
who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,
proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.
The Word of the Lord.
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Throughout history, human beings have erected monuments to honor themselves or a loved one, to mark a decisive victory in battle, to celebrate a nation’s independence, or to illicit devotion to the gods.
For example, the Taj Mahal in India is one of the most famous mausoleums in the world, honoring the late wife of a 17thcentury emperor.
The arc de triomphe in Paris commemorates those who fought and died for France during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
Angor Wat in Cambodia is the largest religious complex in the world, which has been used by both Hindus and Buddhists to worship the divine.
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In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, one of the most significant moments in the life of the Church has unfolded – the Gospel is shared with the Gentiles for the very first time.
Christianity has finally launched its worldwide mission.
If the Church were to ever erect a monument honoring a group of people, they would be it. By the end of the first century, these early pioneers for Christ would bring the Gospel to the ends of known world… but we don’t even know their names.
Their anonymity leaves us with two important reminders.
First, the value of humility. Though nameless in the annals of history, these Christians have their names written in the Book of Life. They fought for glory, not for themselves, but for the glory of God.
Second, they remind us that we have no need for monuments. We ourselves are the living stones, the body of Christ on earth. Together, we enflesh Christ’s love and share his teachings from one generation to the next.
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Although humans have a strong need to remember, often marking decisive moments in history with statues made of stone, we are reminded today that the most important figure in history is still alive.
Jesus Christ, who has not only been raised from the dead; he also lives in us. May our lives point to him, who alone deserves the glory.
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Image credits: (1) A-Z Quotes (2) UNESCO World Heritage Center (3) The Resurrection, Pierro della Francesca