Throughout the Easter season, instead of reading from the Old Testament for the first reading, we have selections from the Acts of the Apostles. This book is the second book in the Bible written by the St. Luke, who also wrote the Gospel bearing his name. In today’s reading we hear of the first missionary journey of St. Paul.
Listening to the results that Paul and Barnabas get from their preaching is a good reminder not to judge our success by the immediate outcome. It often seems to be the case that, after preaching, Paul ends up being physically harmed and driven from the town with force. One time, he is hurt so badly that everyone thinks he is dead. Not exactly what one would call successful.
This reminds me of the saying of Mother Teresa, “God does not call us to be successful, but faithful.” Although Paul’s preaching could often look like failure, consider today’s reading. When the Jews reject Paul’s preaching about the Jewish messiah, he decides to take his message of good news to the Gentiles, the hated non-Jews. In fact, Paul, the most Jewish Jew ever, ends up being known by history as “The Apostle to the Gentiles.”
What is it that gives Paul such confidence to keep going and remain faithful even when there seems to be little success? The Holy Spirit. In fact, the Acts of the Apostles could easily be thought of as the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Paul is so responsive to the Spirit. “The Spirit said ‘go here,’ so I did. I wanted to go there, but the Spirit said ‘no,’ so I couldn’t.” Would that we all could have such a relationship with the Holy Spirit!
So do you want to know what you should do, where you should go? Ask the Holy Spirit. It may not be easy. It may even look like failure and suffering. But, if you follow the lead of the Spirit, you can be confident. It will be true of you as we read in the reading today, “The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.”