Pope Francis has been offering some beautiful reflections on prayer recently in his weekly audiences. Recently, he began by noting accounts of the origin of evil in the Book of Genesis. Pope Francis reminded us that we also hear of good men like Abel, Seth, Enoch and Noah. While evil seemed to be driving human events, there were also people who were living a different way.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles today, we see this undercurrent which is actually our deeper history at work in a pagan land. A small group of people there start to be called “Christian.” They pray, they live this way of love, then Barnabas comes to live with them. He brings Paul … something new begins to grow! Then the Holy Spirit erupts among them, and Paul and Barnabas are sent on their first missionary journey! The seed is sown and grows till it fills that entire Empire as it was about to crumble and fall.
“Prayer attracts God” He is the God of Life and rebirth. At the time of Barnabas and Paul, it happened through small communities, families at prayer. In our times too, rebirth, growth and true peace will come from families at prayer. Communities living the way of Jesus.
May we all sow and grow this seed in our family.
