Texts: Acts 8: 1b-8; Psalm 66:1-3a.4-5.6-7a; John 6:35-40
We are told, today, that persecution arose in Jerusalem which made the disciples scatter abroad. Their leaving Jerusalem because of persecution could be seen as an act of cowardice but that it could be true. Though they ran away from imprisonment, torture, and death but did not abandon the faith. It is said, “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to a city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did.” Their running away is not a denial of the faith; it became an impetus for the growth and spreading of the faith. They were not like us who are identified with the faith but live life contrary to it. Day by day we betray the faith and make people ask whether we are truly Christians or something else. We make them think, perhaps, that is what being Christian is: preaching one thing but doing the opposite.
Those disciples scattered abroad because of persecution were courageous people; courageous to continue with the faith, courageous to continue preaching the word. They were not discouraged by the persecution. They did not ask why God did not prevent the death of Stephen. They did not ask why God even allow the persecution. They did ask why God did not strike Saul down. Those are the questions many of us will dwell on if we find ourselves in such situation. Those questions that we make us think God is powerless, unloving and unconcerned about our situation.
The insistence on preaching the word in spite of persecution demonstrates their faith in the word. They had strong confidence in the word and such confidence could not but bring about commitment to the word. They were faithful to the word and that was the greatest miracle God worked in their life, not the opening of the eyes of the blind, not driving out of evil spirits, not making the deaf to hear and mute to speak. If Christian living is so easy, we will not be talking of many Christians betraying the word. If we could only work miracle but miracle does not happen in our own lives, we are just vessels destined to be thrown away after work is accomplished. It is by our commitment to the faith that we are saved and save others. It is by commitment to the faith that we bring joy to our society, our nation and to the world. In the reading it is said, “For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice; and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.” If the people who witnessed driving out of evil spirits, healing of the paralysed and lame could experience so much joy, how much more joy the greatest miracle that transforms entire life brings. It will bring greater joy. Let us be faithful to the word and our society, nation and world will experience so much joy.
We learn from today’s gospel reading that not all those who are around Jesus Christ actually believe in Him, for it is said, “Jesus said to the crowds, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.’” Only those who are faithful to His word actually believe in Him and experience resurrection here and now and await its fullness at the end of time. Those who keep the word of Jesus are like Him who came down from heaven not to do His will but the will of Him who sent Him.
Be present to your family, O Lord, we pray, and graciously ensure those you have endowed with the grace of faith an eternal share in the Resurrection of your Only Begotten Son. Amen (Collect)
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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