Reflection on Today's Readings, Tuesday of 5th Week of Easter, Year B, May 4th, 2021
Texts: Acts 14:19-28; Ps. 145:10-13.21; John 14:27-31
Today's first reading shows that Paul gave his heart and soul to the gospel. In spite of the fierce attack he experienced from some Jews, he did not give up the preaching of the gospel. The attack is described to be servere but Paul's reaction makes it look as if it was nothing. It is said, "and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples". "Which kind of man was Paul", I asked myself: suffering and pain means nothing to him.
It was as if the attack made him to be more convinced that he was on the right path; he continued spreading the Goodnews unperturbed. In the life of Paul we come to understand the kind of peace Jesus mentioned in the gospel reading. He says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you." This kind of peace is the calmness of soul, whether in the face of trouble or not.
The zeal of Paul, his tenacity and perseverance in preaching the gospel are beyond human comprehension; they often leave us surprised. Such qualities could be human but the degree at which they manifest in the life of Paul is beyond human capacity; the qualities are rather fired by the Holy Spirit to such degree of manifestation in the life of Paul. The qualities are manifestation of the Holy Spirit in his life. We have no reason to doubt that Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit. The Lord is truly his strength. Hence, he said, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13). And he advised us thus: "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one" (2Thes. 3:3). When we come to God through Jesus, we no longer live by our power and strength but by the strength and power of the Holy Spirit.
Lord God, give us your peace and flood our souls with joy. Amen.
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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