Epaphras
Epaphras is a name from the first reading, Colossians, today. I have found it interesting the various names in the Bible. Many of which I cannot pronounce but not too many people know that. Besides, even today we are guessing on how one would have said that name two thousand years ago. Still, getting your name in the Bible means you did something very good or very bad.
Epaphras is noted for one reason: the Colossians heard the word of truth, the Gospel for the first time from Epaphras. A casual reading of Colossians you might miss that, but St Paul is thanking Epaphras for bring the Word of God to the people. Why is this important. St Paul says Epaphras was a fellow servant to Christ, or more precisely was a disciple to St Paul. Epaphras worked with Paul and then went to other cities to spread the gospel message. It is believed that when Epaphras was sharing the gospel, St Paul was in prison. We will learn in another book that Epaphras provides for St Paul while he is in prison. If you were in prison the state did not provide you food, it would be family and friends to do that.
Notice in the gospel today, Jesus says He must travel on to other cities. St Paul, Epaphras and others do just that. Encouraging people to always turn to Jesus. Know what. That message is just as important today as it was then.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen