Bring a friend

Today’s first reading (Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3) presents us with one of the earliest waves of growth in the early Church.

This reading also present us with what seems to be a small, personal action in the midst of that historic movement: Barnabas leaves Antioch and goes to Tarsus to fetch his friend Saul.

This small, personal action, of course, would have tremendous, global consequences: Saul would become known as Paul, the great Apostle to the gentiles and one of God’s most important instruments in spreading the Gospel of Christ.

We ourselves may not feel we are very important instruments in the hand of God nor might we consider any of our acquaintances as having this potential, but today’s first reading reminds us of the wonderful things that God can do, especially beginning with the synergy of friendship.

As we continue to seek to do the Lord’s work in our lives, may we always remember what God can do when we bring a friend.