May 1, 2012 Acts 11:19-26; John 10: 22-30
We know that most of the first disciples were followers of Judaism … and they understood the teachings of Jesus through the lens of that belief system.
Yet … as more people heard the message of those first disciples … they perceived something different. The identity of these first disciples began to change … their commitment to Jesus and His message transcended their Judaism. It wasn’t long before they became something new … they began to be known as CHRISTIANS. The words at the end of the first reading tell us that!
And here we are …
Like the first disciples … we are called to spread the Good News … to act with the guiding values of generosity, courage and forgiveness as we interact with others.
We each have a variety of designations and titles … mister … doctor … professor … yet … whatever the title may be … nothing is more important than the name we all share … CHRISTIAN! Over and above titles … we SHOULD think of ourselves with that designation. If we think of our title as “Christian” … it may be likely that our actions and attitudes will reveal that Jesus and His teachings make us who we are.
Let us strive that no matter what else people see in us … they will never miss … and always see us … as CHRISTIAN!
