Leave-taking of Mid-Pentecost; The Holy Martyr Glyceria (138-61)
Read
Acts 13:13-24; John 6:5-14
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Today’s reading recounts for us the first recorded preaching of St. Paul. St. John Chrysostom points out that, “Barnabas gives way to Paul… just as John gives way to Peter on all occasions, even though he commands more respect.” (Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles, 29). By giving way to the other, St. Paul is inspired by the Holy Spirit to give a beautiful sermon in the synagogue in Antioch. His sermon emphasizes and witnesses first to the abundance of God’s faithfulness and love for his people. St. John Chrysostom notes, “notice how he passes over the times of their misfortunes and nowhere brings forward their faults but only God’s kindness, leaving the rest for them to think over…” (Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles, 29).
Giving way to one another, especially when it is inspired by the Holy Spirit, can lead to surprising outcomes. Barnabas gave way to Paul and this inaugurates the shift of emphasis in the Acts of the Apostles from Peter to Paul, from a mission to the Jews to the Gentiles. In other words, great things can happen when we give way to one another. By giving way to someone in our family, or wherever, we may not begin an epic Christian mission, but we will certainly bring about blessing and the love of God into our midst. This may seem like a small contribution, but living out the Gospel is how we can change the world.