Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
There is an interesting tension in today’s readings. One on hand, we see the power of the Gospel to transcend vast differences. On the other hand, we see the rejection its truth regardless of how many times it is spoken. We certainly live in troubled times. Truthful Words and deeds from faithful men and women are often met with skepticism, even their truthfulness seems plainly clear. Today’s readings challenge us to rejoice in the Gospel when we encounter it with openness and grace.
The first reading, from the book of Acts, describes the power of the Gospel to transcend a broad range of differences. In the wake of St. Stephen’s martyrdom, the scattered faithful preached the Gospel but only to the Jewish community. However, some among the faithful branched out and proclaimed the Gospel to the pagan Greeks. Barnabas was sent from the Jerusalem Church to check on these going-ons. When he arrived, he “saw the grace of God” at work and encouraged their efforts. Not only did these “Cypriots and Cyrenians” spread the Gospel but Barnabas recognized them as authentic manifestations of God’s grace.
The second reading, from the Gospel of John, describes the rejection of truth regardless of how often it is proclaimed. Jesus is antagonized to admit he is the Christ. Jesus responds by telling his antagonists that he has already proclaimed it by the works done in his Father’s name. No matter how often Jesus showed them, they did not believe it. No amount of evidence could overcome their skepticism. However, those that were among flock could see and hear the truthfulness of Christ’s words and deeds because they were already in the ”Father’s hands.”
Barnabas could have responded with the skepticism of Christ’s antagonists. Instead, he saw the Gospel manifested in ways and places that he was not accustomed to. Rather than saying, “That not the way we do things,” Barnabas rejoiced and encouraged. He perceived God’s grace working in beautiful and unexpected ways.
Today let us ponder in our hearts how we might see the Gospel in the unexpected.
- Adam sheridan