The 'Escape Route'

 The ‘Escape Route’

Meditation for Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

(Acts 5:17-26; Jn 3:16-21)

The new life of the resurrection is bound to face opposition; ‘to be born anew’ will have to battle with the old life. The first reading tells us how the party of the Sadducees, that is, those who do not believe in the resurrection, led the opposition against the apostles. They were locked up in prison. But the word of God cannot be imprisoned; the power of the resurrection breaks through every barrier, and dispels every darkness. The open hearts of the apostles to the resurrection were stronger than the iron bars of the prison. The angel of the Lord led them out of the prison and sent them to the temple to preach.

In the face of the opposition, the apostles realized convincingly that they were not alone! The resurrected Jesus was deeply involved in their affairs just as they were committed to the preaching of the gospel. So, they went about their activities with inner joy and peace despite the persecution.

Faith in the resurrection of Jesus assures us of this victory over every opposition and persecution. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” God did not send His son to condemn the world. Thus, the Angel did not come to destroy the Sadducees nor pull down the prison. Unjust human structures may still be there; the opposition and persecution against believers may not go away. Even the believer himself might struggle with doubt and tend to surrender to present day Sadducees.

However, faith in Jesus is the ‘escape route.’ Our commitment to the gospel, and to the new life of the resurrection make us available to be rescued by divine grace, and to pass through any ‘prison bar’ that tries to hinder us. We are not alone; the presence of the resurrected Jesus abides with us. Whoever believes in Him cannot be locked in the dark, but shines out as light. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.” Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday April 27^th, 2022.

www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com