Antioch flock

The psalmist in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today proclaims “All you nations, praise the Lord”. The psalm is titled “The Joy of Living in Zion”. The joy of the relationship with the Divine is intended by God for all nations. After the persecution of those who followed the Way in Jerusalem, the Spirit led Paul and Barnabas to Antioch where the Good News was ‘heard’ by the Gentiles and eventually the community there began to be called “Christians”. The Gospel of John proclaims the message that was difficult to hear by many “[John 10:30] the Father and I are one.” The implications of this proclamation offer to bring the joy expressed by the psalmist to Transcendent expression. The Body of Christ is the intimacy that slakes the thirst of humanity. The Word is Present. Hear O, Israel!