Salvation for All

 Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of 4th Week of Easter, May 10th, 2022
Texts: Acts 11:19-26; Psalm 87: 1-7; John 10:22-30

Salvation in Jesus Christ is universal. In today’s first reading we are told that some of those who were scattered spoke with the Gentiles. The reading does not tell us what spurred them to speak about Jesus to the Greeks. Perhaps, they were some of the Greeks who accommodated them and showed them care and love. Perhaps, those to whom they showed love and were attracted to them. Perhaps, those who were amazed by their way of life and were fond of them. Whatever may be the reason, it was the Holy Spirit who inspired them to speak to the Greeks about Jesus Christ. It is said, “But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord.” The Lord moved them by His spirit that dwelled in them. We cannot also push aside the influence of their way of life, for it is said, “and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.” The way they lived their life after that of Jesus was so serious and glaring that they had to call them Christians, that is, Christ-likes. This means, as much as the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of evangelization, we need to bear witness to Jesus by our ways of life.  

The fact that the salvation is universal tells us that the brother or sister next to us needs Jesus Christ for his/her salvation; Jesus wants to save him/her. This means we are to speak about Jesus Christ to everyone around us. We need to preach love to everyone; we need to show love to everyone. As much as Jesus Christ wants to save my friend, so also He wants to save my enemies. The salvation of the Gentiles to the Jews is likened to the salvation of our enemies. When the apostles heard about the conversion of the Gentiles, they thanked God and they welcomed them and quickly helped to sustain and grow their faith. It is said, “News of this came to the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.” This tells us to always be grateful for every soul gained for Christ. We are to welcome one another and also help one another to grow.  

We are invited today in the gospel reading to believe in Jesus to save ourselves from doubt and unnecessary suspense. If we believe His words, we will hear and know His voice in the midst of conflicting opinions in the world. Whenever we are confused about what is right, it is because we do not believe His words. Whenever we are in doubt, it is because we have not believed His words. If the people in the gospel reading had believed in Jesus Christ they would have not been in suspense. In the gospel reading, Jesus Christ says, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.” The basis of salvation in Jesus Christ is the fact that we also belong to Father and His seal of ownership is set on us. He puts it thus: “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” 

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that celebrating the mysteries of the Lord’s Resurrection, we may merit to receive the joy of our redemption. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke