The Redemption of Evil

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Wednesday of 3rd Week of Easter, Year B, April 21st, 2021
Texts:  Acts 8:1-8; Ps. 66:1-7; John 6:35-40

One mystery about God is how He allows evil and turns it to fulfil His plan and purpose. This continuously reminds us that God will never allow evil that will not serve the salvation of man. This brings to mind the words of St. Paul: "We are well aware that God works with those who love him, those who have been called in accordance with his purpose, and turns everything to their good" (Rom. 8:28). If we firmly trust in God, we will not be afraid of evil; no evil occurs without the foreknowledge of God and meant to serve His plan and purpose.
Today's first reading tells the story of how God expand His Church and spread the good news to other places through the persecution of His people. It is said, "But Saul laid waste the Church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word." The story continues by telling us how Philip established the Church in Samaria. God performed signs and wonders to bring people to faith in the gospel. It is said, "Philip went down to a city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city." The gospel brought to them healing and joy, so also it does to anyone who believe in it.
The story teaches us that evil, sometimes, is meant to shake us off our comfort zone. God uses evil to widen our scope and broaden the horizon of our knowledge and deepen our understanding. Evil is used to strengthen us and make us firm in faith. Evil in the life of Christians has been redeemed, just as the crucifixion of our Lord made the tree of shame and punishment a tree of life. Hence, in the life of Christians there is no evil. Therefore, we are not to fear any evil. We should learn to offer everything to God in faith and obedience to His will. Hence, St. Paul says, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1Thes. 5:18). It is clear that in God there is no evil.
The reading also reminds us of Jesus' words: "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it" (Mtt.16:18). The more the enemies of the Church continue to persecute the people, the more the Church spread and grow. The activities of the enemies are like fuel making the fire more intense and growing.
The gospel reading tells us that we are in a safe hand, the hand of Jesus Christ. He is faithful to His Father who has entrusted us to Him. He says, "All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out. For I have come down ‘from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me; and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day." Jesus will not cast us out in spite of our nationality, race, colour, ethnic or tribe. It is in Jesus Christ we are redeemed and delivered from evil. He redeemed us in faithfulness to God the Father. Let us be sure that we are in safe hand and no torment shall touch us.

God our Father, we thank You for entrusting us into safe hand, Your Son Jesus Christ, and transforming our lives, grant that we may always be pleasing to You. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke