It is our turn

 

Thursday, June 11, 2026

From the Gospel of Thursday, June 11, 2026, Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle (Matthew 10:7–13).

"As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.'" (Matt. 10:7)

Before the APC presidential primaries of 2022, in Abeokuta, the current President of Nigeria publicly declared his intention to run for office using the famous Yoruba expression "Emi Lokan" ("It is my turn").

Today, borrowing that expression in a completely different sense, I would like to title this reflection: "It Is Our Turn." It is our turn to continue the mission first entrusted to John the Baptist, then to Jesus Christ, and finally to His disciples.

"In those days"—our evangelist tells us—"John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near'" (Matt. 3:1–2).

Matthew continues: "When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee" (Matt. 4:12) and began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matt. 4:17).

After declaring that this kingdom belongs to the poor in spirit (Matt. 5:3) and to those persecuted for righteousness' sake (Matt. 5:10), and after teaching us to pray that this kingdom may come (Matt. 6:10), among other things, Jesus now commissions us to proclaim the good news we find in today's Gospel: "As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near'" (Matt. 10:7).

The first thing that strikes us is that the command begins with movement: "As you go..." The Gospel is not meant to remain locked within our churches, our homes, or our comfort zones. Disciples are always on the move. We encounter people where they are and bring Christ into the ordinary paths of daily life.

This movement requires courage and can only be sustained by faith. The instructions—"Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food" (Matt. 10:9–10)—are an invitation to trust completely in God rather than in our own preparations or resources.

We are to proclaim, as we go, the good news that the Kingdom of Heaven has come near. It is heart-breaking when, instead of leaving traces of this good news in the lives of others, we leave behind fear, discouragement, bitterness, hopelessness, or division. We are to be bearers of hope because Christ Himself is our hope.

Let us not forget that Jesus gave us authority before sending us (cf. Matt. 10:1). Therefore, we are not to "fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul" (Matt. 10:28). He remains with us always, even to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20).

It is true that we come bearing good news and a message of peace, but Jesus prepared us for a world that often opposes Him and, therefore, will also oppose us. When those moments come, let us remind ourselves of some of His words:

"See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves..." (Matt. 10:16)

"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death" (Matt. 10:21).

"And you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt. 10:22).

And let us also remember His promise concerning the Holy Spirit:

"When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" (Matt. 10:19–20).

From all that we have said about this mission, it is obvious that none of us is capable of carrying it out by our own strength. I am even afraid as I write these words. Yet we are no worse than those apostles who first listened to Him. They struggled, they failed at times, but they trusted.

Let us give God the chance to work through us, and He can use us to bring about His Kingdom.

Who does not desire a world where trust, peace, justice, joy, mercy, love, and goodness reign? Who is there that God cannot use if he or she trusts and submits to Him?

John the Baptist played his part. Barnabas, whom we celebrate today, played his part. The apostles played theirs. Now it is our turn. God continues to build His Kingdom through ordinary men and women who trust Him.

Ifeanyichukwu Joseph Ezemba

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