A sower went out to sow....

"As you go make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand,'" (Matthew 10: 7)

These words may not ring a bell in us today, but they did for the disciples. Simple and practical folks that they were, they knew of only one "Kingdom" - the earthly kingdom they were living in, the kingdom called the Roman empire with its many vassal kings, a kingdom secured by war and violence, a kingdom whose language is might and power and wealth, a kingdom whose culture is materialistic, sensual, and carnal. For them, Jesus could have sounded radical and revolutionary, indeed. He was shouting for the coming of another Kingdom, and the overthrow of the kingdom they knew of.

Jesus was then telling the disciples: "You are acquainted with the lifestyle of this earthly kingdom. You are to be the advocates of an alternative lifestyle, a new world view where God and spirit should be supreme." How do these words of Jesus challenge us now?

We can learn from our Saint Today: Barnabas. Barnabas has been seen to be a good man who encourages those with him “to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart.” Barnabas is one of those in our communities who is an “Encourager” for good, a “Catalyst” for being faithful to the Lord and working for justice in our communities.

Today we need to take time to look around us – in our communities, workplace, nation – and recognize those who are sometimes “hidden” but do God’s work daily to give dignity to all persons and to bring about justice in our lives.

Those people seem – like Barnabas – to have been “Set apart”…for the special work the Holy Spirit has called them to do.  Often they are blamed for speaking the truth when it is not the opinion of the majority.  Often they are “set aside” because to speak for justice is counter-cultural to the majority in society.  They often suffer – as did Barnabas – but remain firm in their faith. They remain firm in their message about the “dignity” of all persons and the “justice” that needs to be practiced in our neighborhoods, cities, country.

Are you one of them? As you go, make this proclamation: The Kingdom of God is at hand!