God our loving Father, it has been almost a day since we had perhaps our most hotly-contested elections so far that have divided us not only as a nation but also as family and friends, and sadly as followers of your Son, Jesus Christ. How sad that long before the start of the campaign period many among us have forgotten being Christians; it was the opposite that have happened lately, Christians persecuting fellow Christians simply because they belong to different camps in politics.
Those who ad been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but Jews. The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch. Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the Church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Acts 11:19, 22, 25-26
Though there was the sad note of persecution at the beginning of the Church, it turned out to be a blessing for it helped spread fast the good news to more people in more places; what is most wonderful, dear Father is the virtue of magnanimity among the disciples and early followers. As they gained followers with strong footholds especially at Antioch where they were first called Christians, they have always been magnanimous in their successes.
Teach us all to be magnanimous, Lord, especially the victors in these elections though it is still too early; may our words and deeds, especially our behavior and attitudes testify to our being Christians; enough with our sanctimonious stance with those opposed to us; may we imitate Barnabas is reaching out to others, of being open, of being converted daily in Jesus our Good Shepherd. Amen.
