First Reading - Acts 12:24-13:5
Gospel - John 12:44-50
There are moments in life when we wonder what God is asking of us. We may feel a quiet call within—a desire to do something more, to serve, to give, to step out in faith. Yet, we hesitate, unsure of where it will lead. Today’s Word of God reminds us that when we listen to His voice and respond with trust, God leads us into a mission far greater than we could imagine.
In the first reading, we see the Church growing and guided by the Holy Spirit. In the community at Antioch, while they are praying and fasting, the Spirit speaks: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” The community responds with obedience—they pray, lay hands on them, and send them forth.
Here, we witness the beginning of missionary work. Barnabas and Saul of Tarsus do not choose this mission on their own—it is God who calls, and the Church that sends. Their journey is rooted in prayer, guided by the Spirit, and directed toward spreading the Word of God.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks openly about His identity and mission. He declares that whoever believes in Him believes not only in Him but in the One who sent Him. He is the light that has come into the world, so that no one who believes in Him should remain in darkness.
Jesus also reminds us that He does not come to condemn, but to save. Yet, His Word itself becomes the measure—those who reject it choose darkness, while those who accept it walk in the light.
Dear friends, these readings invite us to reflect on two important realities: being called and walking in the light.
First, we are called. Like Barnabas and Saul, each of us has a mission. It may not take us to distant lands, but it certainly calls us to serve—in our families, communities, workplaces, and daily encounters. God speaks to us through prayer, through His Word, and through the needs around us. The question is: are we listening?
Second, we are called to walk in the light. Jesus is the light who reveals truth, guides our path, and gives meaning to our lives. To believe in Him is to live according to His Word—to choose truth over falsehood, love over hatred, and faith over fear.
The early Church shows us that mission begins in prayer and is sustained by community. We are not sent alone—God goes with us, and the Church supports us.
The question for us today is: are we open to God’s call? And are we living as people of the light?
May we learn to listen to the voice of the Spirit in our lives. May we have the courage to respond generously to God’s call. And may we walk always in the light of Christ, bringing His truth and love to the world.
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