4th week in Easter Time, Saturday – 6th May 2023 – Acts 13,44-52; Jn 14,7-14
Mature Follower
In the first reading, Paul and Barnabas continue their missionary journey into Asia Minor. As usual, after preaching in the Jewish synagogue, they are expelled by the Jews. The Jews refuse to see the truth of their own scriptures, revealing the saving works in the person of Jesus. The Gentiles rejoice in the message of the saving works of God. Their enthusiasm for the word of the Lord spread beyond the boundaries of the city. However, some of the Jews continued their harassments. They stirred up attacks on the two missionaries and eventually managed to drive them out. In response, following the teaching of the Gospel, they shook the dust of the city from their feet, as if to say nothing is redeemable in this town (Mt 10,14; Mk 6,11; Lk 9,5). In doing this, they showed the severance of responsibility and the repudiation of those who had rejected their message and had brought suffering to the servants of the Lord. Paul has a tender heart and expresses mature behaviour as follower of Jesus. Despite the dust he leaves behind in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13,51), he is also heartbroken when the Jews reject their own Messiah (Rom 9,3). We accept that abuse and persecution are part of spreading the gospel (Jn 15,20). We walk away when God’s word is not heard (Mk 6,11). But we mourn those who refuse to hear (Lk 23,34).
