Reflection for Monday
of the 5th Week of Easter
(Acts 14:5-18; Jn
14:21-26)
Many people want to be celebrities;
to be popular and powerful. But only few people have the capacity to bear the
consequences of popularity. Accumulating popular acclamations that does not
correspond to one’s personal integrity and qualifications can be disastrous. Worse
still, when such popularity and power come suddenly, they become more difficult
to handle...Such was the kind of temptation that Paul and Barnabas faced at
Lystra.
On seeing the miracle Paul
performed, the people began to acclaim them to be gods. The priest of Zeus
prepared to offer sacrifices to them. “But when the apostles Barnabas and
Paul heard it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude...”
This was great temptation for the two apostles as they humbled themselves and
rejected the popularity. While persecution and death cannot stop the spread of
the Gospel, pride can dry up and quench the fire of the missionary. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the
glory.
Spiritual pride is more deadly than
a virus. It enters in the name of self-justification, and uses the name of God
to destroy. It comes like a trap. It is very easy for one working for God to
take the glory from the work of grace! That is why we need the Holy Spirit to
teach us how to be meek and humble, giving God what is His due. “But the
Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will
teach you all things...” The Holy Spirit
becomes our new rule of life; He guides our spiritual and physical actions. It
is the Spirit of Truth that leads us to fulfil all the commandments, including
overcoming spiritual pride. It is in keeping His commandments that we show our
love for Jesus and attract the love of the Father.
Therefore, like Paul and Barnabas
filled with the Holy Spirit and faith, we must live so as to sustain the fire
of the Spirit burning in our hearts. This is the one step that will keep us in
friendship with Jesus and in communion with the Holy Trinity. “If a man loves
me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him
and make our home with him.” So today let us pay extra attention to that inner
still voice of the Holy Spirit within, to avoid thoughts and actions that might
grieve the Spirit (Eph 4:30). Undue desire for popularity and power makes one
claim for himself the glory and allegiance due to God. This is what Paul and
Barnabas rejected. Let the Holy Spirit lead us this week so that we can enjoy
the Communion of the Trinity, and be successful in our endeavours. To God be
the glory! Amen.
Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Monday May 11th, 2020.
