Faith grows and the Shepherd is heard

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary encourage us to reflect on the universal nature of the Kingdom of God. Friar Jude Winkler notes how the text from the Acts of the Apostles shows that persecution the followers of the Way by the Jews of Jerusalem moved the disciples to bring the Word to Greeks and Jews throughout the region. The Church at Antioch is evangelized by Barnabas and Saul and Gentiles are baptized. Daniel Patrick O'Reilly comments that the psalmist  proclaims that not only those from Zion know God, but people of Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre and Ethiopia as well. He struggles with the tension between discernment and being judgmental. Friar Jude contributes the idea that the gift of faith from God seems to have not been given in equal measure to all. Just like our commentator from Creighton University we sometimes judge from our viewpoint which too often assumes that the other had the same opportunities as we to have been prepared for life or faith. The year which Paul and Barnabas spent among the “Christians” at Antioch prepared them to hear the voice of the Shepherd which Jesus declares in the Gospel of John is what brings sheep to His flock. Frair Jude reminds us to be careful if we see predeterminism in this text. The gift of faith is the measure of our ability to hear the voice of the Shepherd. Christian evangelism develops faith through actions of forgiveness, discernment and inclusiveness. As with the Jews and Gentiles of Antioch, the universal community will know Christians by their Love. The experience of Love is the event within which we hear Jesus and the Father as One.