Acts 12:24 - 13:5 / John 12:44-50
The Church has many aspects that reveals something of its essence.
The Church can be seen as a hierarchy, as an institution, as an organization, as a community, etc.
But the essence of the Church is founded in the mystery of God.
God is the very essence of the Church, and God has revealed Himself to the Church and yet it is also an on-going revelation.
In the 1st reading, the Word of God continued to spread and to gain followers.
That is certainly not by human effort but by the power of God.
And it is in worship and prayer and fasting that God revealed through the Holy Spirit the mission He has for Barnabas and Saul.
And it is in the communion of prayer that the early Church sent Barnabas and Saul into the mission that God has shown them.
May we, as the Church, always understand the fundamental importance of prayer.
It is in the communion of prayer that God will reveal to us His plans for us.
God’s plan is for all peoples to be saved. Let us pray for God’s blessings that we will carry out the mission of salvation.