Homily: 4th Week of Easter - Tuesday - Gospel Breakthrough

The readings from the Book of Acts throughout the Easter season continue to give us a glimpse into the formation of the early Church.  We hear of what happened, after Jesus gave his apostles the Great Commission to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” 

Well, for four weeks, we’ve heard how the Gospel was spread in Jerusalem and Judea—amongst the Jews.  But today, we hear of one of the great breakthroughs of human history. 

The scene today takes place after the death of the first martyr, Stephen.  The blood of the martyrs are the seeds for the early Church.  People, like seeds, are scattered by the persecution of the Church that follows Stephen having been killed for his faith and for preaching about Jesus.  “They went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,” preaching the word to no one but the Jews.

Because of some of the new disciples of Christ were Greek-speakers, they began to share the good news of the Lord Jesus with some of the Gentiles in Antioch.  This may seem very natural and inevitable to us now, but this really was a breakthrough—Gentile converts. 

Each of us are called to work for converts by sharing the Good News.  Where do the breakthroughs need to occur in your own life?  When’s the last time you shared your faith with a stranger?  Could you see yourself talking to a stranger at a coffee shop or the rec center about Jesus and about the Catholic Church?  There are people out there who want to know more about Jesus, they want to know about Catholicism, but they have no one to talk to.  Just as the hand of the Lord was with those in the first reading, he is with us, guiding us to, pushing us into new missionary territory.

Could you see yourself praying the rosary peacefully outside an abortion clinic with other fellow Catholics?  Could you see yourself leading your family in prayer the next time they came to visit?

Jesus says in the Gospel today, “my sheep hears my voice”.  He wants to use us as his mouthpiece.  Will you spread the Good News today? For the glory of God and salvation of souls.