God’s Words are Spirit and Life

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Saturday of 3rd Week of Easter, May 7th, 2022
Texts: Acts 9:31-42; Psalm 116: 12-17; John 6: 60-69

Today’s gospel reading speaks of the reaction of Jesus’ disciples to His teaching on Holy Eucharist. It was taken as an offence for Jesus to tell them that He would give them His flesh and blood. It is clear that they understood the words of Jesus according to the flesh. They were thinking of actual physical flesh and blood; Jesus meant spiritual body, His risen body. This also reminds us that we cannot understand God’s words by human effort alone. Hence, Jesus says, “And he said, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.’” We must have been enlightened by God to understand the gospel of Jesus. Just as Jesus is the way to the Father so also the Father is the way to Him.  

Jesus tell us, today, that His words are spirit and life. He says, “It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” This means we live by the words of God. Jesus once said, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Failure to live by the words of God is to be cut off from life. The life we talk about here is the life of God, not natural life. We participate in the life of God when we live by His words. It is also when we live by the words of God that we live by the Spirit. St. Paul says, “So then, brothers and sisters, we are obligated, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (Rom. 8:12-14).  

Today’s first reading shows us the power of words. It is said, “And Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.’ And immediately he rose.” St. Peter healed Aeneas by saying, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” This tells us that the words of God heal. When we live by God’s word we are healed from the wounds we might have incurred by sinning. The reading also reminds us that the words of God give life in bringing Tabitha to life. St. Peter raised Tabitha from dead by saying the words, “Tabitha, rise.” We experience resurrection when we live by God’s words. We are also reminded that on the last day we shall be called to rise from dead to life. 

O God, who in the font of Baptism have made new those who believe in you, keep safe those reborn in Christ, that defeating every onslaught of error, they may faithfully preserve the grace of your blessing. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke