NOURISHED FOR FORGIVENESS

Reflection for Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

(Act 7:51-8:1; Jn 6:30-35)

 From silence, Stephen addressed the council. His words were like arrows that pierced their hearts. He confronted them for their stubbornness and resistance to the Holy Spirit. As their fathers killed the prophets, so also they betrayed and murdered Jesus. Stephen was courageous. He did not speak to save his life, but proclaimed the truth. The council and his accusers found themselves sentenced by his words. “They were infuriated when they heard this, and ground their teeth at him” (Acts 7:54). Now there own evil ways have caught up with their conscience! Their actions have become burden to their minds. They ground their teeth because they had lost their freedom and authenticity. Instead of repenting, they became bloodthirsty. This self-inflicted injury is always there when a dishonest person is confronted with the truth.

 While they were battling with themselves, “Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand.” Stephen was caught up in an attraction stronger than death! He had a foretaste of the glory of God, so their fury and malice could not affect him. They rushed at him, thrust him out of the city and stoned him. “As they were stoning him, Stephen said in invocation, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’” He entrusted his life to Jesus as we do at every Eucharistic celebration. Surprisingly, and with a twist of tone, he said aloud, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Forgiveness is here shown as a sign that we have been caught up in the glory of God, and so can let go, and wish good for the offenders.

That is why we need to be nourished by Jesus often. “For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Only God can give us such strength that can withstand the oppositions we face in the world as Christians. Imagine the extent of the force against Stephen, and his gentle victory over their malice and death itself! Our faith in the resurrection of Jesus guarantees us such victory today. Hearing the good news about the bread from heaven, they people said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

Like Stephen, we are often faced with accusers; situations that test our faith, and people that trespass against us. Our spiritual energy can easily run dry, and our gaze upon the glory of God might be shifted away! But Jesus stands at the right hand of God and before us that silence and glory may cover us, while the grinding of teeth belongs to our accusers. Therefore, there is no hurt we cannot let go. Forgiveness is the testimony we bear that we have been fed and nourished in Jesus; our lives are caught up in His glory. Alleluia!

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Tuesday April 28^th, 2020.

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

My Jesus, I believe that you are really here in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you more than anything in the world, and I hunger to feed on your flesh. But since I cannot receive Communion at this moment, feed my soul at least spiritually. I unite myself to you now as I do when I actually receive you. Never let me drift away from you. Amen.

----St Alphonsus Liguori