4th Week of Easter : Wednesday 11th May 2022

Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrection. We believe it frees us from sin and death for life with God now and forever. This is the fullness of life Jesus came to give. It is the reality of our Christian life, not a future promise. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live this life.

This Spirit set Barnabas and Saul apart for God’s work. The Spirit led them to faraway places on a mission to proclaim God and His saving love. This is how they lived their faith entirely. Jesus’ resurrection gives us the same freedom for the mission.

We might feel unworthy to say ‘yes’ to the Spirit’s promptings as Barnabas and Saul did. Also, we might fear being sent to unknown people on mission. Scripture gives us hope to respond. We read about Jesus choosing the most unlikely people like fishermen and a tax collector for His mission. His disciples included many whom society considered unworthy, like prostitutes and lepers. Today we read about Barnabas and Saul being sent to fellow Jews to bring the Good News. Jesus also reached out to His fellow Jews, as He did the Gentiles. Everyone joining Jesus on mission brings God’s light to the whole world.

Indeed, Jesus chooses us for mission because He sees us as worthy. Often, He sends us to those very near, like family, friends, work-mates and neighbours. They need God as much as those faraway. Today, we are challenged to believe that the risen Jesus knows best in missioning us.

Teach me to trust You, Lord.