"THE DISCIPLES WERE FILLED WITH JOY."

Homily for May 17^th, 2014: Acts of he Apostles 13:44-52.

          Following the example of Jesus, Paul and Barnabas, who are now in Antioch, address their preaching first to their fellow Jews. They had considerable success. The passage immediately before our first reading says that: “Many Jews and devout Jewish converts followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to hold fast to the grace of God” (13:43). As a result, the opening sentence of our first reading tells us, “On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.” This causes the Devil to deploy one of his strongest weapons: jealousy. “When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.”

          “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,” Paul and Barnabas respond, “but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we turn to the Gentiles.”  Note the words, “condemn yourselves.” Condemnation does not come from God. It comes from our own free choice to reject God and the love he offers us as a free gift, not as a reward for services rendered.  

          Enraged, those at Antioch who have rejected the preaching of the gospel stir up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and run them out of town. Undismayed by the abuse and maltreatment they have received, Paul and Barnabas shake the dust from their feet and move on to Iconium. In so doing they were following the explicit command of the Lord, who told his disciples whom he sent out to preach the gospel: “If any place will not receive you or hear you, shake its dust from your feet in testimony against them as you leave” (Mark 6:11).

          The final sentence of today’s first reading surprises us: “The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” Do you want that joy? Which of us does not? To have it you must do one thing. Put thanksgiving at the center of your prayer, and of your life. If a long life has taught me anything, it is this. Grateful people are happy people – no exceptions! I couldn’t tell you how often I say every day, as I go through the day: “Lord, you’re so good to me – and I’m so happy.” Find your own way of saying that, and you too will be happy!