Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 11:19-26; John 12:22-30)
In today’s first reading St. Luke, the author, states that
at Antioch the disciples of Jesus were first called “Christians.” The name must
have taken hold quickly and universally.
Luke probably wrote his gospel and the Acts of the Apostles in the
eighties of the first century. His
matter-of-fact way of saying that Jesus’ followers Jesus were “Christians”
indicates that it was a popular movement in Middle Eastern religion.
The term “Christ” comes from the Greek word meaning
anointing. As Jesus says on his visit to Nazareth as recorded by Luke, he was
anointed by the Spirit to bring good news to the poor. His followers also were anointed by the
Spirit to bring about a universal community of fellowship – very good news to people
of goodwill.
It is imperative that we ask ourselves, are we faithful to
the name “Christian”? Do we sow seeds of
justice and peace among those we encounter?
Some Christians – even among those who come to church regularly – often
create strife and contention. To be
faithful to the one for whom we live we should strive to fair and reconciling so
that people may come to Christ through us.
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