The Daily Office for September 17, 2012
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel
Reflection
In today's New Testament reading Paul says to Barnabas that he'd like to return to the cities where they had established churches. It should be noted that they did not merely gain believers who were unattached from each other, but rather they established churches, or local assemblies of believers, in each city. The disagreement over John, whose surname was Mark, brought about the division of the first missionary team. Paul objected to taking Mark, who had departed from them earlier. The difference was so sharp that each took a new assistant and traveled in a different direction—Barnabas taking Mark and sailing to Cyprus; Paul choosing Silas and departing to Cilicia.
There has been much debate over the nature of this division; however, it is presented by Luke in a matter-of-fact tone. Evidently Paul and Barnabas each had a preference for his native land in his missionary work. Barnabas returned to Cyprus; Paul returned to his native Anatolia. As a missionary handbook, Acts indicates that immediate evangelization is most effective in a context where one is most familiar with the people and their needs. This does not mitigate against cross-cultural evangelism, for Paul would be engaged in such throughout most of his career. However, as a training model, the immediate implication seems to be that one receives his or her best early training for evangelism within a familiar cultural context.
The new teams were both very effective. Barnabas was able to recover and rebuild the life of Mark, whom Paul later referred to as one whom he appreciated. In the meantime, Paul was able to develop the qualities which he had observed in Silas. In either case God’s work was extended, and again the Lord of the church must be seen as sovereignly operating over and above the affairs, and even the disputes, of people.
Collect for the Day
Most glorious and holy God, whose servant Hildegard, strong in the faith, was caught up in the vision of your heavenly courts: by the breath of your Spirit open our eyes to glimpse your glory and our lips to sing your praises with all the angels; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.