NOURISHED FOR SUSTAINED GRWOTH

 Meditation for Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter

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

After the death of St. Stephen, a great persecution arose against the Church in Jerusalem. Saul took it to another level, entering house to house to drag out Christians. Imagine the uproar and confusion this would cause. The Church scattered, and believers found themselves in many other cities. Even now, the mighty hand of persecution has not left the Church. The aim of persecution was to silence and destroy the Church. Unfortunately, the seed of faith is not in Church buildings, but it is rooted in the heart of believers. Thus, persecution helped the seed of faith to germinate everywhere believers went.

The Christian faith has this unique quality that it contains within itself a principle of life that transforms persecution into a means of growth. Many attacks on teachings of the Church have helped to strengthen catholic theology and have given rise to neo-evangelization. This inherent capacity to be transformed and grow in the midst of persecution is the secret life of the Church, which is contained in her individual members. In addition, this is a testimony that to be a Christian is to have the joy of a shared life with Jesus. This spiritual joy becomes an internal energy that moves believers forward to conquer every opposition.

 

Jesus said in the gospel, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” He gives us that spiritual food in which we commune with Him, and have His life within us, such that the life of believers is not dependent on anything external for fulfillment. With such nourishment, the faith will continue to germinate and spread despite every persecution. That is why those who are truly fed and nourished in Christ Jesus do not lack creativity, and they never lack hope no matter the setback they may experience. Jesus says, “For this is the will of the Father, that everyone who sees and the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” Amen.

 

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Wednesday April 26^th, 2023.

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