Both yesterday and today at daily Mass, we heard first readings from the 13th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, in which Paul is in in the city of Antioch. Paul presents Christ’s Gospel message of salvation and hope to the people in the synagogue in Antioch. For Paul and his companions, their faith in Jesus, Jesus' proclamation of God’s kingdom, and Jesus' death and resurrection, propel their work of Evangelization and their new life in the values of the Gospel. Every Easter season, when we hear the story of the development of the Early Church and the way in which Paul and the first disciples lived out their faith, we are called to be inspired by their zeal and energy. Everyone remembers that the Second Vatican Council called us to modernize the Church and to read the signs of our times. However, the Second Vatican Council also called us to learn more about the traditions and teachings of the Early Church, to see our roots as a community of believers in what members of the Early Church believed and practiced. Sometimes, we can get discouraged and anxious on our own journey of faith, thinking that we don’t have the courage or strength to continue. When we hear of the courage and tenacity of Paul and his companions, we cannot help but to feel edified and encouraged ourselves. May their example inspire us and lead us on our way.
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