Tuesday May 5
Tuesday of 4th Week of Easter
A NEW MISSIONARY APPROACH
Introduction
The Christians of Antioch, the first to be called “Christians” as disciples of Christ, were of two kinds: those Greek-speaking of Jewish origin, who had fled to Antioch from the persecuted Church in Jerusalem. They communicated their faith to their fellow Jews, but they must have spoken of their faith in Christ also to some people of pagan roots who accepted Christ, now no longer as the promised Messiah but as the Lord of all. This placed the Church in a dilemma. Were these marginal Christians only second-class followers of Christ? Barnabas, filled with the Holy Spirit, recognized God’s grace at work in them. Where the official Church of Jerusalem hesitates, Barnabas reads the signs of the times. To him, it is God’s will that these people accept Christ as their Lord. He faces and solves the missionary problems locally and is not afraid to go new ways.
Opening Prayer
Lord God, our Father,
the Spirit of Jesus calls us, as he called your Son,
to abandon our old selves and our old world
to be free for new life and growth.
Forgive us our fear and hesitations,
lead us out of our worn-out phrases and habits,
and our self-made certainties,
steep us in the Gospel of your Son,
that his Good News may become credible
in our times and our world.
We ask you this through Christ, our Lord.
Reading 1 ACTS 11:19-26
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.
Responsorial Psalm 87:1B-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. (117:1a) All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
"This man was born there."
And of Zion they shall say:
"One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD."
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
"This man was born there."
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
"My home is within you."
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleliua JN 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel JN 10:22-30
The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
"How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father's name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father's hand.
The Father and I are one."
Commentary
With the growing number of Gentile converts entering the church, the break with traditional Judaism became more pronounced. Gradually the center of the church’s life shifted from Jerusalem to Antioch. It was there that the so-called followers of the Way first became known as Christians.
This is a title that all of us carry with pride, but it is worth our effort to explore briefly its connotation. It was only when Christianity became fragmented that we adopted denominational names. Catholic may be fine, but it says far less than Christian. In our baptism we are united with Christ; our religious education centers on his teaching. Every milestone in our life—graduation, marriage, ordination—is laden with Christian meaning. It is in Christ that our final destiny is assured.
The opponents of Jesus in today’s Gospel want him to state clearly whether or not he is the Messiah. There were reasons why Jesus did not so proclaim himself, one of which was the heavy political baggage that the term had acquired. Once again Jesus appeals to his works, which give clear indication of his position. But only faith will bring about acceptance. His disciples adhere to him as the Good Shepherd, with a faith that gives full assurance.
The tide “Christian” is the noblest that we shall ever bear. It is not of our making or choice. It is part of the gift that God gives us. One of my relatives named a son “Christian” but always insisted that his name not be abbreviated to Chris or any other shortened form. Christian is a man today and still carries the name with pride. The same should be said of all of us.
Points to Ponder
Antioch, an early Christian center
The title “Christian”
The separation from Judaism
Hearing the voice of the shepherd
Intercessions
Let us pray today for the missionary Church and say: Lord, hear our prayer.
– That the Church may never tire of preaching Christ as the Risen Lord, we pray:
– That the Church may never tire of asking the Lord to make it ever new and to be attentive to the signs of the times, we pray:
– That Christians may live in such a way that their life of faith attracts people to Christ, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Loving Father,
the bread and the wine on this table
speak to us of a journey into the future
to go together with your Son.
Change us as you change these gifts,
and transform us into the image of your Son.
Make us into people who dare to stand up
to speak your message without fear
in the language our times understand,
people who have the courage
to go new ways when demanded,
yet always loyal to your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord forever.
Prayer after Communion
Loving Father,
we are glad that we are called Christians,
men and women who follow Christ, your Son.
May we remain faithful to him
with a steadfast commitment
and fill us with the grace of the Lord,
that the Holy Spirit may live in us
and that we too may bring many to the Lord
and be worthy of the name
of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
May the grace of God be at work in us to keep us faithful with steadfast commitment, that we may be true disciples of Christ. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.