Acts 13:44-52

Acts 13:44-52 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

⁴⁴ The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.^{[a] 45} But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul. ⁴⁶ Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,

‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles,
    so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

⁴⁸ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers.⁴⁹ Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. ⁵⁰ But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. ⁵¹ So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Two things stand out to me in this reading:

1) The religious leaders and people of prominence and power, likely fearing the loss of influence they would suffer if this gospel message were to become popular, stirred up strife against the apostles. This seems to be a pattern for all those who preach faithfully. Sooner or later, they run up against opposition from powerful societal forces, and are persecuted, imprisoned, and even killed. So it was in the beginning of our faith, and so it continues throughout the world today.

And yet!

2) “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Their response to this persecution and antagonism was not to whine, or rage against the powers that be. They went on their way, focused on thier mission, and their joy was in the Lord! How much I need to take this example to heart. Applause and approval are not the goal. Faithfulness is the goal.