THE GRACE TO MOVE FORWARD

Reflection for Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter

(Acts 8:1-8; Jn 6:35-40)

Up until now, the Church was doing well in Jerusalem. With the death of Stephen, the virus of persecution that had been incubating began to spread. Lifeless body of Stephen seemed to them like the death of Christianity. Since death is their finality, the death of any member would be their victory. Saul who supervised the martyrdom of Stephen now took the central stage. He went house to house to fish out members. What a commitment to destroy Christianity! So the members fled Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria.

“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to a city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.” This is a sign that they did not bear grudge against their persecutors. They accepted it with joy as part of their sharing in the sufferings of Christ (Acts 5:41). Grudge, enmity, hatred and unforgiveness draw us backwards in every aspect of our lives. When parents teach their children to hate, they sow a seed that would draw them backwards unless uprooted. The Church spread more. Philip performed more miracles, and great multitudes believed through him.

The capacity of the Church to strive even in the midst of harsh persecutions is another evidence of the resurrection. “I am with you always, even to the end of time” (Mt 28:20). It is only with the grace of the resurrection that the Church can climb on that which ought to bring it down to rise to new heights. This is the grace we share individually as members of the Church. Every obstacle we face will become a stepping stone to climb to new heights if only we remove our eyes from revenge, grudge, etc.

That is why we must always contemplate the risen Jesus to be strengthened. “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” He assures of eternal nourishment, which no persecution or life-problem can take away. It is by faith that we enter into Christ to share in the grace to move forward in every circumstances. “For this is the will of my Father that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” The assurance of life Jesus gives over whelms us more than the threat of death and opposition we face each day. Today we see through situations in our lives that tend to limit us or project death, to deepen our hope in eternal life. Then our capacity to be unlimited, nourished through the Eucharist, will shine out.

Fr Jude C. Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday April 29^th, 2020.

Memorial of St Catherine of Siena.