5th week in Easter Time, Tuesday – 9th May 2023 – Acts 14,19-28; Jn 14,27-31
Functional Churches
In the first reading, Paul and Barnabas conclude their first missionary expedition and head back to the church of Antioch, who had sent them on the journey. In this voyage, they started faith communities all around Asia Minor with those who accepted the message of the Gospel. The purpose of their mission was to announce the Good News, to get the assemblies (Churches) started and move on. In each church, a pastoral structure was set up for the first time with the appointment of ‘presbyters’ or elders. With prayers and fasting, they were commended to the Lord. The elders (or presbyters) were community leaders chosen from among the communities by a laying on of hands. In this case, too, the elders were chosen by the apostles and not by the community. However, Paul and Barnabas had left behind nor just individual believers or leaders, but functioning communities with their own style of leadership.
