108 is a free telephone number for emergency services in India, currently operational in around 17 States of the country.

The 108 Emergency Response Service is a free emergency service providing integrated medical, police and fire emergency services.

It’s interesting to see that there are different versions to tell why this number 108 is chosen as the ’emergency number”.

One explanation (which some of us would have seen in the form of sms’s or multimedia photos) is this ‘108’ is a number derived from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 10, verse 8.

What is Mt 10:8? “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons”

This message of the Gospel reaches out as an aid and help in times of emergency to those in trouble and difficulty.

The Gospel of the Day contains this “emergency verse” in the mission commission that Jesus entrusts to his chosen Twelve.

Jesus has already inaugurated His mission of spreading the Kingdom of God.

This mission is characterised especially by reaching out to those in need and those in tribulations…
• To the sick, with the medicine of healing and comfort
• To the suppressed, with the balm of acceptance and love
• To the sinner, with the comfort of forgiveness and mercy

The chosen Twelve are also entrusted with this same commission of bringing the Kingdom of God to the lives of people: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons” (Mt 10: 8)

The Kingdom of God becomes a sign and symbol of bringing healing and wholeness to people.

This is the mandate that is entrusted to each one of us, as well, as Christians.

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Barnabas.
He is named as an Apostle in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 14:14), and was a companion to St Paul in his missionary journeys.

The name “Barnabas” means the “son of encouragement”.
And true to his name, he became a wonderful instrument of encouragement and consolation to the early Church.

The Gospel of the Day and the Saint of the Day invite us to adopt these traits in our life as a Christian: Being a source of encouragement in the “emergency” situations of the lives of people.

• Can I be a person who can be reached out, in consolation..
… when people undergo problems, crisis and face difficulties in life?

• Can I be a person who can be an encouragement…
… when people pass through the lowly valleys of discouragement and despair in life?

• Can I be a person who can be a healing balm and a soothing medicine…
…when people face immense heartbreaks and painful moments in life?

Jesus is an answer and solution in any “emergency” situation.
• It is in Him we find our strength.
• It is in Him we find our remedy.

May we too be “persons of encouragement” and be a source of healing, in situations and crisis of “emergencies”

God Bless! Live Jesus!