Word to the Wise
Tuesday, May 5, 2020 - 4th Week of Easter - Tues
[Acts 11:19-26 and John 10:22-30]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. [Acts]
MAY 5, ST. VINCENT FERRER, OP
Historic "moments" or events can escape us at times because we may focus on personalities or subsequent results of those events. The two sentences from the Acts of the Apostles, quoted above, represent such a moment. In fact, the whole passage today from Acts is worth a close look.
The first moment is when Jewish Christians began preaching about Jesus to non-Jewish people. A second moment occurred when to distinguish believers in Jesus from other Jews, the term "Christians" came into being!! The third moment occurred when Barnabus went to Tarsus to find the recently converted Pharisee named Saul and brought him back to Antioch to help with the preaching. On such little historical moments our very existence as "Christians" was founded!
It is hard to imagine what would have happened if the Jews who had become disciples of Jesus had simply kept their post-Pentecostal faith to themselves, even after leaving Jerusalem to escape persecution, instead of sharing it with others, especially pagans!! From very small beginnings in Palestine and the Middle East, Christianity has spread to the whole planet! The choice of Paul (Saul) to get involved in the mission had tremendous consequences. We constantly read his teachings about Jesus!
Pope Francis has challenged all the baptized to become "missionary disciples." All that may be required is the courage to share our faith with someone who may be curious about it. The First Letter of Peter (3:15) says it best: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence...." God will take care of the rest! AMEN