There is much to do as disciples of the Lord during this Easter Season.  The danger is to stay put and just contemplate the wonder of the Risen Christ but not to proclaim the good news to others.  After a while this joy must be shared, and the disciples need to start working.  The readings today offer the blueprint on how to work for the Risen Lord.  The first reading says Paul and Barnabas and right from this information it is shown the task of sharing the good news of the resurrection is of teamwork.  It is supporting one another, being companions in sharing the good news to whatever city the Lord sends.  The reading continues saying they made considerable number of disciples which means that there is a number that needs to be met if the proclamation is effective.   A true and effective disciple makes more disciples for God. It is not only about proclaiming but about making considerable progress in the hearts of the people so they can turn to God. It is preaching with conviction, not with boredom.  Once the word has been shared the disciples stick around to strengthen the spirit of the new disciples and exhort them to preserve in faith.  From the very beginning the church has been missionary in the evangelizing activity, but it has also provided follow-up.  It is not about bringing people closer to God and then leave them stranded.  This is the problem with many so-called retreats that only want to make the people feel good for a moment, but then they leave them under their own devices. The true disciple offers accompaniment along the way of salvation because they know the new disciples will need it.  The true disciple does not paint a rosy picture that everything will go well if they follow Jesus, but rather proclaims the reality, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” And yet they are not alone, they are left with good leaders to do the follow-up and make sure they are strengthened in faith. These leaders are appointed by the church. In the Acts of the Apostles, they are called elders, or presbyters, now commonly known as priests. A true disciple does not make a “cult-like” following but leads all new disciples to be part of the Church and be actively involved. The true disciples after bringing other people closer to Christ knows how to get out of the way, lead them to church, and continue with prayer and fasting, commending them to the Lord in whom they had put their faith. And then moves on to the next mission while still praying for all converted to the Lord.  A true disciple of the Lord knows he or she has work to do.  It is nice to contemplate the Risen Lord but more so work for Him, so the Lord can “wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain for the old order has passed away.”  The true disciple knows that the Risen Christ will make all things new and will get right to work.