The first reading narrates how the persecution that arose
after the death of Stephen scattered the believers and brought them to many cities
including Antioch. The Holy Spirit continued to manifest the divine presence
wherever they went. The Church leaders in Jerusalem heard about the great works
those who escaped persecution were performing in the name of Jesus, and they
sent Barnabas to Antioch. He was full of the Holy Spirit and faith. Barnabas
was glad, and he encouraged them to remain steadfast to the Lord. He went to
Tarsus and brought Saul. “For a whole year they met with the Church, and taught
a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time
called Christians.”
We see how the spread of the Christian faith was made possible first
by the action of the Holy Spirit working through human efforts. The believers
were surprised how their little efforts brough so much impact and won many
souls for the Lord. But those whose hearts were hardened denied what they experienced through the believers and refused to believe. That was why when the
Jews kept asking Jesus if He were the Christ, He answered them, “I told you,
and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear
witness to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.”
Those who are on the side of truth are the sheep that belong to Jesus; “My sheep
hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal
life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.”
The freedom, peace and love with which Christianity spreads,
and steps on persecution to grow, testifies to the presence of the Holy Spirit,
who is the unseen hand that moves us forward. It takes a humble man, who is
honest and open to truth to perceive this silent divine presence and accept the
faith. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Tuesday May 2, 2023
