Saying farewell

Today in the readings we hear of two farewells. In the first reading from Acts 20:28-38, Paul is saying goodbye to the elders in Ephesus and their sadness is evident. They are all in tears as they know that they will never see Paul again. But Paul leaves them with words of consolation, urging them to remember the three years that he spent among them and telling them that he commends them to God and his grace which has the power to build them up as they watch over the community that has been formed. Then in the Gospel from John17:11-19, Jesus shows his great concern for his disciples whom he will soon be leaving. He asks his Father to protect them, but he does not limit their mission just to strengthening the community of the chuch. Their mission is to the world. In words often repeated by Pope Francis, Jesus says, ''As you, Father, sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.'' Our mission is not so much to preach the Good News as to be the Good News.Think of the people we will in contact with in the days ahead, family and friends, those we work with. We can be Good News to them when they see that our growing into life in Jesus fills us with peace and joy. May we be inspired by the beautiful words of Psalm 34, verse 5. ''Look to the Lord and be radiant.''