Paul and Barnabas caused a great stir on the previous Sabbath by their outspoken preaching. During the week the two men kept in contact with some people who wanted to hear more of what they had to say. The stage was set for an exciting confrontation. Those looking for excitement were not disappointed! Today's reading gives a brief, clear and lively account of what happened.

That Sabbath meeting in the synagogue of small town Antioch led to a decisive step for the whole world. Due to the negative reaction of some powerful people Paul and Barnabas launched out on a missionary campaign that would bring the message of God's love to a much wider and more diversifed audience than they could ever have imagined.

They took the message to the Gentiles of the area, our ancestors in the faith. They brought joy to the world. That joy would be centred on the living, moving, sympathetic, loving Jesus, who in today's Gospel reveals the Father to us and promises to help us to know Him and love Him more.