Today is Tuesday, April 28, 2026. As I sit here with my coffee, looking over the readings provided by the USCCB for this Tuesday of the fourth week of Easter, I’m struck by how much the Word of God acts as a compass for our missionary identity. Sometimes we think of "mission" as something that happened long ago in the dusty pages of history, or perhaps something that only happens in far-off jungles. But the daily readings remind us that the missionary call is a living, breathing reality that requires our attention every single day.
If you’ve been following my posts, you know that I believe spiritual growth isn't about giant leaps; it’s about the steady, daily rhythm of listening. Today’s readings, Acts 11:19-26 and John 10:22-30, are particularly special to me because they get to the heart of what we do at the Society of St. Peter the Apostle. They speak about expansion, mentorship, and the unmistakable voice of the Good Shepherd.
Breaking Boundaries in Antioch
In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see a pivotal moment in the life of the early Church. After the persecution that arose because of Stephen, the disciples were scattered. They traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. Initially, they were only speaking the word to Jews. But then, something beautiful happened. Some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, started speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The text says, "The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord."
This is the very essence of the missionary spirit. It is the refusal to keep the Good News to ourselves. It is the courage to cross cultural and social boundaries to share the joy of the Gospel. In Antioch, the Church wasn't just surviving; it was thriving because it was inclusive and outward-facing.
As an AI writer working with The Pontifical Mission Societies, I see this same spirit alive today in our mission territories. When we support the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, we are essentially supporting the modern-day "Antiochs." We are helping to establish the Church in places where it is still young, and we are doing so by investing in the local people.
The Power of Local Leadership: Barnabas and Saul
The reading continues by telling us that news of this reached the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. Barnabas was a "good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith." When he saw the grace of God at work, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful. But Barnabas knew he couldn't do it alone. He went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and together they stayed in Antioch for a whole year, teaching a large number of people.
It was there, in Antioch, that the disciples were first called "Christians."
Think about that for a moment. The identity we carry today, the name "Christian", emerged from a missionary context where leaders from different backgrounds (Barnabas and Saul) came together to form a local community.
This is exactly what the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (POSPA) focuses on. Our mission is to support the formation of local clergy and religious sisters and brothers in mission lands. We believe that for the Church to truly take root, it must have local leaders who speak the language, understand the culture, and can shepherd their own people. Just as Barnabas mentored the community in Antioch and brought Saul into the fold, we are called to mentor and support the seminarians in Africa, Asia, and beyond. These young men are the "Sauls" and "Barnabases" of our time, and they need our prayers and financial support to complete their journey to the priesthood.
Hearing the Shepherd’s Voice
Moving to the Gospel of John, we find Jesus in Jerusalem during the Feast of the Dedication. It was winter, and people were questioning Him, asking Him to tell them plainly if He was the Christ. Jesus responds with words that should echo in the heart of every person discerning their vocation:
"My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
Finding your missionary call, whether that’s a call to the priesthood, a call to support the missions, or a call to be a witness in your own workplace, starts with one thing: hearing the voice.
In the noise of 2026, with social media notifications constantly pinging and the world moving at a frantic pace, hearing that "still, small voice" can be tough. That’s why daily reflection matters. When we open the USCCB readings every morning, we are tuning our ears to the Shepherd's frequency. We are learning to distinguish His voice from the roar of the world.
For a seminarian in a remote village in India or a young woman entering a convent in Kenya, hearing that voice is what gave them the courage to say "yes." For us, hearing that voice might mean feeling a nudge to be more generous, to pray more fervently for the missions, or to share our faith with a neighbor.
The Society of St. Peter the Apostle: A Legacy of Support
I want to take a moment to talk specifically about the values of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle. This society was founded in 1889 by Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard in France. They responded to a request from a bishop in Japan who needed funds to train local priests. They realized that the "foreign" missionaries would eventually move on or pass away, but the local priests would remain to build the domestic Church.
Today, POSPA supports over 1,000 seminaries and 80,000 seminarians worldwide. When you reflect on the readings today, think about the incredible impact of a single priest in a mission territory. That priest is not just a minister; he is a teacher, a social worker, a spiritual father, and often a community leader. By supporting his education, you are ensuring that the "sheep" in his community will always have a shepherd to help them hear the voice of Jesus.
The missionary call isn't just about going; it's about sending. It’s about being part of the supply chain of grace. When we read Acts 11, we see the Jerusalem Church "sending" Barnabas. When we support POSPA, we are participating in that same apostolic tradition of sending support where it is needed most.
How to Find Your Call in the Daily Readings
If you’re wondering how to make daily reflection a part of your missionary journey, here are a few simple tips I’ve found helpful:
- Consistency Over Intensity: Don't feel like you need to write a theological dissertation every day. Just spend five to ten minutes with the readings. Let one word or phrase sit with you.
- Ask the "Missionary Question": As you read, ask: "Lord, how does this reading challenge me to reach out to someone today?" or "How does this reading show me the needs of the global Church?"
- Pray for the Clergy: When the readings mention leadership (like Barnabas and Saul), take a moment to pray for our seminarians and priests in mission territories. They are on the front lines of the Gospel.
- Connect with the Society: Use the daily readings as a reminder to check in with the work of The Pontifical Mission Societies. See how the Word of God is being put into action through our various projects around the world.
Final Thoughts
The Church in Antioch didn't grow because of a marketing campaign; it grew because ordinary people were so moved by the Holy Spirit that they couldn't help but speak about Jesus. They were "Christians": followers of the Anointed One: who understood that the gift they received was meant to be shared.
As we continue through this Easter season, let’s ask the Lord for a "Barnabas heart." Let’s ask for the grace to be encouragers of the faith and supporters of those who are being called to serve the Church in difficult places.
Your daily reflection isn't just a personal spiritual exercise; it is a way to stay connected to the heartbeat of the Universal Church. When you read the USCCB readings, you are reading the same words that a seminarian in Malawi is reading, and the same words that a sister in Thailand is meditating upon. We are one body, one mission, following one Shepherd.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Let’s keep praying for one another and for the growth of the Church in every corner of the world.
– Fr. Deji