Acts 12:24-13:5a; John 12:44-50
Fidelity makes us the Good Shepherd’s Sheep, and he, our Good Shepherd
The first instance of a Christian’s adoption is the presence of the Holy Spirit in such a person (Gal 3:1-5; 4:4-7). To confirm this, Paul says no one can say Jesus is Lord except through the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3). It follows that Paul and Barnabas not only possess the Holy Spirit, but have been found worthy to be made preachers of the good news to others; so the Holy Spirit set them apart for this specific mission – evangelization of Jews and Gentiles. Furthermore, on account of their fidelity, they were called Christians yesterday (Acts 11:26).
The mission given to Paul and Barnabas is ours today; here, precisely, is today’s message: that the Holy Spirit wishes to use you and me to bring the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth. One lesson, among others, we can learn, from Paul and Barnabas, is docility to the call and mission of holiness and evangelization given to them by the Holy Spirit. We may not be called to go to foreign lands and peoples, like Paul and Barnabas, but the call to holiness is extended to every Christian. The first step to be taken by us is fidelity to God, through the Holy Spirit’s promptings, just as Paul and Barnabas did not remonstrate with the Holy Spirit’s call and mission.
Today’s gospel tells us the consequences of the refusal to be faithful to God: “Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day” (John 12:48). Condemnation of the unfaithful is not immediately, but on judgment day. This still provides every Christian, here and now, with the opportunity to try to be faithful to God’s word, for God’s words are Spirit and they are life (John 6:63).
Therefore, if we want to make heaven, then, we will take seriously what Jesus said towards the end of today’s gospel: “And I know that his commandment is eternal life” (John 12:50a). And, by keeping his commandments, we become his sheep, and Jesus remains our good shepherd. Let us also be mindful of Jesus’ statement, on Sunday, that no one can steal his sheep from the Father’s hand; however, a Christian can decide to abandon God, through free will, and embrace damnation and final judgment.
The choice between keeping God’s word, which leads to eternal life as a reward to fidelity to God, and damnation as a result of not keeping God’s word, is ours to make!
Assignment of the Day:
Think of the commandment(s) you find most difficult to keep, and think of strategies of keeping it/them!