11/06/2022

The Mission at Antioch had flourished and Barnabas was sent to witness this. What he found was a congregation guided by the Holy Spirit. If I ask myself what it was that pleased him so greatly, the answer must be that the converts believed in the Resurrection and the "Return" which they awaited eagerly. They would also have scoured the Old Testament for refernces to Jesus following the teaching Jesus had given to the disciples from Emmaus. There were there people who had witnessed the Crucifixion and had joined in the shouting for Barabbas when given the choice by Pilate.

Would the newly named "Christians" of Antioch been aware of the teaching in today's Gospel? We know that all the recorded words of what is the "New Testament" were in a state of growth and were not formally codified until the Fourth and Fifth Centuries but various versions had been circulating from the earliest times. St Paul's letters to his foundations were written within thiry years after the resurrection. The recollections of the Evangelists were all in existence before the end of the first century.

We have all of the direct teachings and implicatons of Jesus' recorded life to inform our faith but  those earliest words and prayers are still the basis of our .faith  Maranatha! The return of the resurrected Lord is still our greatest hope.

Dear Lord let me live this day in the protection of your love. Let me return that love without sinning. Protect all your people who with good intention are performing good deeds. Today Mary many of thy children are facing dangers to help others. Please commend their efforts to Father, Son and Holy Spirit in whose eternal presence you now are in body and soul.