Often times as social beings we find ourselves between the devil and the deep blue sea. Our first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles 22;30, 23: 6-11, invites us all to examine what our reaction would be in tight situations and how we respond to difficult situations. When we examine some biblical figures, we will see their response to difficult situations they found themselves in. The book of Genesis 12, tells how Abraham had to lie because he was worried his beautiful wife Sarah would be snatched and then he be put to death. As such, he lied she was his sister, and eventually that caused trouble for pharaoh.
Again, David in the 1st book of Samuel 21, had to feign insanity in other to free himself from Achish king of Gath. That is also not appropriate. Similarly, peter, confronted with a tight situation lied and denied Christ and therefore fell into sin. Like Abraham and David he was also scared.
If we leave biblical figures and try to consider some church fathers, polycarp would be a good example. At a point in his life, people were sent after him to take his life. Not knowing who he was, those sent after him met him and asked him, please where is Polycarp? even in this type of situation enough to send cold chill down ones spine, and capable of plunging one into the very abyss of fear, polycarp still did not wavered, he only answered you are not far from Polycarp. I think this should be our attitude.
Paul in our first reading also finds himself in a difficult situation. The argument that broke out between the pharisees and the saducees, put him in an awkward position. However, he displayed a high level of ingenuity, by clinging on their believe in the resurrection and that salvaged him from the situation. We are also encouraged to learn to ask for the light of the spirit in our own difficult and trying times that we may not fall into sin.
Right after paul slipped through their hands, God appeared to him and told him to take courage and gave another assignment to bear witness in Rome just like he did in Jerusalem. Often, i have heard priests say the result of hardwork is more work. This concept became clearer to me through the first reading of this morning. Paul just slipped through the hand of the pharisees and saducees and almost immeadiately he was saddled with another responsibility. What is our response to the additional responsibilities that is given to us outside the scope of the one which we should ordinarily do? do we wait for acknowledgement of the one we have done before we ever embark on another? our reading this morning invites us to bear in mind that God's grace that we experience in whatever situation we find ourselves only prepares us for the next challenge of faith.
In our gospel reading today, the last night before jesus went to the cross, he began what he now does unceasingly, that is, interceding for us.
This gospel of John 17 is a long prayer called the priestly prayer of our lord Jesus Christ and it unfolds in three different division. The first five verses, christ prayed for himself, verse 6-17, shows his prayer for his disciples, and finally the last part , he prayed for you and me that we may be one. That is, those who come to believe through the words of his disciples . I pray that may all those who come to us seeking God be not disappointed. But this can only be achieved when we are one and united, as the cliche goes, united we stand, divided we fall. Only when we are one that the world we know we belong to father. All forms of division amongst us should therefore be banished.
In this month of May dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and as we gradually await the down pour of the Holy Spirit, I pray through the intercession of the blessed virgin Mary and the power of the Holy Spirit that God would unite us all in love through Christ our lord, Amen.
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