From the Jewish Community to an Inclusive Community

Homily for Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Eastertide

Chapter eleven of the Acts of the Apostles illustrates a transition that changes the path of the Christian community. In St. Luke’s Gospel we hear of another transition that took place in chapter nine when Jesus resolutely determined that it was time to depart for Jerusalem. The Acts of the Apostles, also written by St. Luke, is a parallel text to his Gospel. He deliberately includes the shift from the Jerusalem based community to a Jewish-Gentile shared community to create this kind of textual parallelism. The text highlights the Holy Spirit’s pivotal role in guiding, empowering, and expanding the early church.

The passage starts by mentioning believers who had scattered due to persecution. Despite adversity, the Holy Spirit led them to preach the word, first to Jews and then to Gentiles in Antioch, marking a significant shift in the church's mission. When believers began speaking to Greeks in Antioch, the Holy Spirit ensured that "the hand of the Lord was with them," leading to a great number of people turning to the Lord. This demonstrates the Spirit’s power in convicting hearts and drawing people to faith.

When news of this reaches Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas, described as a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” Through the Spirit, he is said to have encouraged the new believers which led to strengthening the church and helping it grow even more. This description is drawn from his name which means “Son of Encouragement.” The Spirit guided Barnabas to seek out Saul (Paul) and bring him to Antioch, where they taught a great number of people. This moment was instrumental in Paul’s ministry, showing the Spirit’s role in developing leaders and fostering unity in the church.

The final line of today’s passage notes that it was in Antioch that followers of Jesus were first called “Christians," signaling a distinct identity from the Church of Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit was active in expanding, strengthening, and shaping the church. The passage beautifully illustrates how the Spirit is always working behind the scenes, directing believers, empowering their message, and building the kingdom.

There are times in our lives when the Holy Spirit may be calling us to be another Barnabas for the people in our lives who are discouraged and find their faith difficult to grasp. When our faith is strong, we can reach out to those who are troubled and to give them a listening ear and the encouragement they need to continue following Christ. Through the Eucharist and through the works of the Holy Spirit, we are strengthened so that we can continue in building up the Kingdom of God.