Some Bibles translate the second sentence of the first reading as: "Barnabas and Paul returned to Jerusalem on completing their relief mission..." The words "relief mission" immediately struck me as very modern-sounding. When a natural disaster hits any country or community, so many organizations respond with exemplary generosity by sending "relief missions" bringing all kinds of aid.

The early Church, of course, was not as highly structured as the modern Church or as modern governments and international agencies. But it is a great consolation to know the Church in Antioch so spontaneously responded to the needs of the Christians in Judea and sent Barnabas and Paul on the "relief mission."

Throughout the ages, the Church has helped those in need. Saints have gathered followers to help different groups of people with specific needs: orphans, abused women, the elderly poor. No matter how highly we may and must praise and appreciate social work, the mission of the Church is much wider and deeper than social work. It has always been a part of the understanding of Christian faith that the love of God necessarily includes the love of our brothers and sisters, all those who share with us the dignity of being children of our Father in heaven.