The two men have returned to Jerusalem after a relief mission. There, in the midst of the disciples, the Holy Spirit tells the followers, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” They had been praying and fasting with the community, and now felt the call from the Holy Spirit. It was a call to a mission that, at least for Saul, would last the rest of his life. And the call from the Holy Spirit came as they prayed.
God can speak to us loudly in the silence of our lives. For many of us, one benefit of these current times is an increase in quiet and time to reflect. More time to listen in the stillness for God to speak to us.
Jesus says, “I came into the world as light so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.” All of us, like Barnabas and Saul, are called by God, sent on a mission for God to carry that light into the world. We are sent to witness with joy in our isolation.
For each of us, the sending is different. At our jobs, in person on or online, we can make an extra effort be kind in times of tension. At home we may have more time to spread light to others with phone calls, emails and making an extra effort for our family.
The word Apostle means “one who is sent.” Today, each of us is sent in some way into the world as the apostles were. It may not seem dramatic, but it is a relief mission of bringing comfort and light to others. We can share our joy and offer ourselves at a distance as a source of love and companionship, so that like Barnabas and Saul, “the word of God continued to spread and grow.”
One key thing to ponder here is the unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Prayerfully reflecting upon their unity is a very healthy meditation for our prayer life, because we are called to share in their unity, and we are called to share in unity with one another.
Unity is hard. It takes a tremendous amount of love. It means being fully present to the other, seeking to fully understand, accept and know them. And the Trinity is our model for this. Be it parents and children, spouses, friends or others, we are called to a deep and abiding unity.
Think about someone you know well. And think about someone that person knows well and loves. To a certain degree, you may feel you know that other person just by knowing the one who knows them. For example, say you have a very close friend who has a child and your friend shares much with you about their child. What you’re experiencing is the unity of that parent and child in your relationship with your friend.
So it is with God. As we come to know God the Son, we automatically come to know God the Father. And the good news is that if we know God, and then let another get to know us, the effect is that we will be letting them come to know God through us. This is one of the wonderful ways to evangelize and bring God to those whom we know and love.
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