Scripture:
Reflection:
Witnessing Jesus
These Easter days’ readings from the Acts of the Apostles continue to impress upon us that St. Paul was truly a zealous traveling missionary who, along with a variety of companions, went from town to town to preach the Good News. He worked hard, had his share of sleepless nights – and his message of Jesus’ unconditional love was all-too-often not well received…to say the least! Yet, nothing deterred Paul from his divine calling and his passionate response.
We are women and men of faith today because of St. Paul and many others like him. Over the centuries, many people have generously responded to God’s call to be missionaries and evangelists; at the top of our “lists” are likely our own Passionist saints and blesseds such as Paul of the Cross, Vincent Strambi, Charles of Mt. Argus, Dominic Barberi, etc. As Jesus points out in today’s Gospel selection, sharing the Good News is not always easy; persecution and even hatred can stifle our efforts. And yet the Good News continues to be spread throughout the world today, even “to the very ends of the earth”. Yes!!
As “Church”, we are each called to be “missionary” in living and witnessing our faith in the person of Jesus, crucified and risen. By word, example, and deed we share the treasure of our faith and show the power of God’s love in our lives — especially in our love for one another. Jesus’ words apply to us: the message of love we proclaim may not always be received with great openness and enthusiasm; we may join Jesus in suffering as we proclaim God’s Kingdom to our 21st Century contemporaries.
May these Easter days and the anticipated gift of the Holy Spirit in Pentecost encourage us as missionary disciples in praying the words of Psalm 100: “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy…Sing joyfully to the Lord…Know that the Lord is God…the Lord is good…”
As Easter people, we proclaim: Amen! Alleluia!
Fr. John Schork, C.P. serves as the Province Vocation Director and also as Local Superior of the Passionist Community of Holy Name in Houston, Texas.