Keeping Faith Strong

 Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of 5th Week of Easter, May 17th, 2022
Texts: Acts 14: 19-28; Psalm 145:10-13ab.21; John 14:27-31a

Paul shows us today that we have to keep our faith strong; we should not give up on our faith for any reason. The account of his missionary journey in today’s first reading shows that he was a man who always kept his faith strong; he did not allow tribulation and persecution to deter him from his missionary endeavours. It is said thus: “Jews came [to Lystra] from Antioch and Iconium; 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.” Paul forged ahead no matter what. Paul's understanding of faith is such an excellent one. For Paul faith is not an elimination of tribulation, persecution and trials but victory over them. For Paul faith is standing firm in the face of persecution and tribulation and the courage to move on. It is said, “When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” He simply told them what was evident in his own life.

A victorious faith is such that continues in spite of persecution and tribulation. The Jews rose against Paul with intent to discredit and stop his missionary endeavours but he did not give up. We just have to learn how to stand firm in faith and to forge ahead. Faith is forward looking, it is the assurance of what we hope for and evidence of what we do not see. It thinks of what is left to accomplish and run to accomplish it. What makes us different from Paul is that we think most often of here and now. The account of the life of Paul shows that he no longer cared about this life; he was eager to experience heaven. He was ready to trade this world for heaven. Faith raises the heart to heaven.  

Jesus, in today’ gospel reading, tells us that he has given us peace, His peace. Calling this peace his own means it is worked out by Him; it is an assurance that He is making sure we have peace; he is concerned about whatever troubles us. Being his peace we can only get it from Him. This means we have to be in union with Him. He obtains this peace for us by his intercession before the Father. Hence, He says, “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.” That He is with the Father interceding for us, we have assurance of peace and so, this should encourage us to move on, striving to attain the peace.  

 

O God, who restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, grant your people constancy in faith and hope, that we may never doubt the promises of which we have learned from you. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke