Fourth Week of Easter : Tuesday, 23rd April 2024

The Acts of the Apostles highlights the early missionary journey of the disciples. The persecution has compelled them to travel and spread the good news to Phoenicia and Cyprus, Cyrene and Antioch where Jews and Greeks dwelt. Barnabas travelled to Antioch and saw the work of the Lord among the believers and he went to see Saul in Tarsus. Both spent a whole year living together in Antioch, instructing a large number of people, and the name ‘Christians’” was accorded to the disciples. As privileged recipients of such a title, how are we continuing the missionary journey in our own context today?

The Gospel mentioned the festival of Dedication of the Temple which was associated with lights and fire. Two powerful symbols of life. There is a legend that when the Jews reclaimed the temple, they found one jug of unpolluted oil that miraculously kept the lamps alight for 4 days! While the Jews in this festival longed for a Messianic figure like David, Jesus reminded them of the messianic image of the Shepherd, so He reiterated “My sheep hear My voice, I know them and they follow Me and I give them eternal life.” (v27,28). It is in Jesus Christ that we find the true meanings of all Church festivals and the attraction of new members into the Church.

“Lord, grant us the grace to be sensitive to Your voice and dedicate our duties in accordance to the title ‘Christian’ that we bear.”