THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Wednesday in the fourth week of Easter, 2021

Acts 12:24-13:5a

Ps 67

John 12:44-50

Set apart for me…

Dear friends in Christ, when we were baptised into Christ Jesus, we were set apart to live like Him. Not just by walking down the roads of Palestine the way he did, but mainly by making him known everywhere we find ourselves as his disciples. It is very unfortunate that there are many professed Christians who have turned their gaze away from Jesus and will prefer to do things their own way, rather than the way of God.

In the first reading of today (Acts 12:24-13:5) Barnabas and Saul had returned from Jerusalem where it was said that they had fulfilled their mission bringing with them Mark who will later write the second Gospel. In Antioch, the church was growing fast, not only in the number of converts, but also in the gifts of the Spirit among them. The Holy Spirit then made a demand of the community to “Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work for which I have called them.” This mission will take them to different places in the proclamation of the faith and opening of new doors for the growth of Christianity. This was the first mission and to begin it effectively, they went to Cyprus, the home of Barnabas. The following years will witness the heroism and courage of many more missionaries, who like Saul (Paul) and Barnabas will leave their homeland for the unknown, to bring people home to God. Mission is about fetching the world home to God. Think again how God wants to use you, to bring many souls to salvation. What is God calling you to do—Sunday school teacher, a catechist in your parish, a chorister, a lector, to work in a particular society or organisation for charity? What is your response to this call?

In the Gospel of today (John 12:44-50) Jesus told his listeners, “He who believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness…” As the light of the world, Jesus sheds light on the hidden and dark spots of life and so challenges people and provokes a crisis. If we have faith in Christ, we come to see clearly what God is calling us to, if we however refuse to believe, we exclude ourselves from sharing in that fullness of life, which comes through Jesus. Real faith and real light, is to come out of the darkness of unbelief and accept that God sent Jesus to redeem us. By choosing to walk in the light, to do what is right, we are already on our way, to share in the glory of the redemption promised by God.

God has set you apart for a particular purpose. He has given you particular gifts and talents not just for the purpose of making money for a living, but also that you might through it, further the kingdom of God in the world. How many people have you enriched by the gifts you have received. ‘A candle does not lose its light by lighting other candles,’ it only creates more light and drives away the darkness.

Let us pray: Lord God, since you have brought us out of darkness into this wonderful light, help us to use our gifts and talents in your service and that of our neighbours. Amen.

+Remain blessed