In our first reading today from Acts, we see Barnabas and Saul being “set apart” by the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim the Word of God. In the Gospel reading today from John 12, Jesus says, “I came into the world as light” and “I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.” While Jesus has already done the saving part, we, too, must share in His mission, and bring others to the light.
The Holy Spirit said to the brothers, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” The Scriptures then tell us that “they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went…” I’d like for us to think about this notion of being sent by the Holy Spirit today. Too often we think that that is a job for priests or nuns or religious. After all, they are the ones doing God’s work in the world, right? Well, that is right, but if we leave it at that, we’re leaving out a large part of the equation.
Have you ever felt as though you were “sent forth by the Holy Spirit?” Perhaps you remember a few select times in your life where this may have been the case. But I submit to you that we are sent by the Spirit into the world every single day. Whenever you go to work, school, shopping, a ball game…anywhere and everywhere. You have a very special calling and the Spirit sends you forth wherever you go. We are sent forth to proclaim the Word of God in every place and time. So, go get ’em, tiger!!
Father, we ask you to give us a new recognition of being sent out by your Spirit. Give us the grace and boldness to proclaim your Word everywhere we go. Amen.
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