A Different Success
Who were the first followers of Christ?
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians." At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. - Acts 11:19-30
Today's reading paints a picture of the early Church gaining a foothold in the Gentile world among the Hellenists of Antioch.
The irony here is that the message Jesus intended for the Jews becomes the message taken up by non Jews, eventually spreading throughout the world as Christianity.
It shows us that God's love spreads beyond any limits.
It wasn't that Jesus didn't want the Gentiles to be saved. As he said to the Syrophoenician woman, the food is meant for the children, yet she convinced him to let the crumbs fall for her children as well.
So, here we are in the first century, spreading crumbs throughout the Gentile community, and the children are being fed.
So, we may take away a lesson from this about our intentions and our goals in life. What we think we are trying to accomplish may be different from what we achieve, and that doesn't mean we have failed.
It's just a different success.
On Good Friday, the followers thought the story was over, but the Risen Jesus told us that was only the beginning of the story. The real story about God's love for us kicks off with the Resurrection.
And it is still changing lives.
So, the Good News is that love wins, and love spreads everywhere.
It goes viral, and we provide the fuel that keeps it growing.
Like Barnabas, we are charged with spreading the love of Christ to all, not just those we like or those we think need it. But everyone and everywhere.
Who knows where the next success will be?
More to come...