Acts 13:1-3
In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Reflection
The understanding that we are to always be about sharing the good news of Jesus was always present in the church that is described in the Acts of the Apostles. This passage of scripture tells us that the church in Antioch was listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit directed the church to commission Barnabas and Saul (later he would be known as Paul) to go to places where people had yet to hear about Jesus. The passage ends by saying that they prayed for Barnabas and Saul and they sent them off.
To be a missional church we have to be aware that we are all called to go into the world and share the good news of Jesus. We also need to be open to the voice of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the life of the church so that we will have direction in how we are to share the good news and so that we will be strengthened to fulfill the mission we have each been given. We need to understand that everyone is sent. We all have a mission to proclaim Jesus.
Do you live with the understanding that every day you are sent on a mission in the world that you live?
