Be Not Sorrowful But Fervent

 

Reflection on Today's Readings, Tuesday of 6th Week of Easter, Year B, May 11th, 2021
Texts: Acts 16:22-34; Ps. 138:1-3.7-8; John 16:5-11
We are reminded today that we should not allow sorrow to deprive us of something good. In today's gospel reading, Jesus told His disciples He would be returning to the Father and this made the disciples to be sorrowful. For this, Jesus says, "Now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts." There are some things that might have caused us sorrow, if we had found out why they happened, we might have been happy instead of being sad. For us who are faithful to God, whatever happens in our lives is for our good and the glory of God. Hence, we have no reason to be sad because of any situation. Jesus affirms this, when He says,  "Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."
The arrival of the Counsellor, Holy Spirit, will enhance the disciples to contribute to the mission of Christ; they will be able to fulfil the mandate to go and make the disciples of all nations; they will be able to bear witness to Christ by their deeds. The Holy Spirit will make us grow and unleash our potentials. With the Holy Spirit, the better version of us will come out. The Holy Spirit will also make Jesus Christ present in our lives and unite us with Him. When the Holy Spirit comes, He will vindicate us. Jesus says, "And when he comes, he will convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgement: of sin, because they do not believe in me; of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; of judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged.”  With all these, there was no reason for the disciples to be sad because He told them He was going away. Jesus' going away simply means that He will no longer be known in the flesh but above the flesh (2Cor. 5:16); it is not an abandonment but another form of experience. We shall from now on know Him by faith, no longer by sight. In faith He is still with us as before;  in the Holy Spirit He is ever with us as before.
Paul and Silas, in today's first reading, did not allow their trouble, persecution, to make them sorrowful so as to forget to pray and sing praises to God in thanksgiving. When they prayed and sang praises to God, they experienced His presence, His mighty deeds. It is said, "and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened."
The message, today, is that we are not to allow the trouble of this life to take away our joy or take us away from God. The challenges we face should not weaken us and reduce our commitment to God. The troubles of this life should rather make us to seek God more earnestly and be abound in virtues and good works.

God our Father, give us the grace to bear the troubles of this life without losing our joy and peace, grant that we may always stand with you in spite of the life troubles. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke