Acts 12:24 - 13:5 / John 12:44-50
Some things are so obvious that we don't even need to think too much to come to a conclusion.
For example, if we can't see what we are reading, then we might need reading glasses. If we can't hear properly, then we might need a hearing aid. If we can't walk properly, then we will need a walking aid.
But as much as it might be obvious, we might not be willing to employ such means or aids for whatever reasons.
Similarly for the spiritual life, We often say that we want to hear God speaking to us but we also often complain that we don't seem to hear the voice of God.
So obviously, we need some help to hear the voice of God and what God wants to say to us.
In the 1st reading, we can see the means that the disciples in the early church had recourse to in order to be able to listen to the voice of God.
They were praying and keeping a fast when the Holy Spirit said that Barnabas and Saul were to be set apart for the work that they were called to do.
How the Holy Spirit "spoke" to them, the details were not described. But the Holy Spirit did speak and they heard and did what God wanted of them.
During Lent, the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting were emphasised. But that was meant to get us into the practice of prayer and fasting so that we can hear the Word of God.
Only when we have heard the voice of God will we be able to spread the Word of God like how the early church did.