Reflection on Today’s Readings, Friday of 4th Week of Easter, May 13th, 2022
Texts: Acts 13:26-33; Psalm 2:6-7.8-9.10-12a; John 14:1-6
Reading today’s first reading, I cannot but ask, ‘what has happened?’ Is it that Scripture can be so elusive that people who read and listen to it can also err? Where is the fault from? One thing that is clear in today’s first reading is that there can be a reading of Scripture without understanding. It is said, “For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognise him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him.” This reminds us of the words of St. Peter: “First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” We need the support of the Church and the Holy Spirit to understand the Scripture. St. Paul calls the Church the pillar of truth. He says, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth” (1Tim. 3:15).
The people and their rulers acted out of hatred and prejudice. This is clear in the words: “Though they could charge him with nothing deserving death, yet they asked Pilate to have him killed.” Hatred and prejudice that fill their hearts smear over their understanding of Scripture, which brings about distortion of thought and deviation from the meaning of Scripture. We need love to help us understand the meaning of Scripture; the love of God and our neighbours must reign in our hearts. Some people impose their own meaning on Scripture; they have in mind their own opinion and read the Scripture only to look for support. Such people end up getting their own meaning or message, not the meaning or message intended by God. We are to read and meditate on Scripture without any preconceived notion or opinion. When we read Scripture we need to ask the Lord for the meaning, not imposing our own meaning. Understanding Scripture requires reflection and meditation, we have to embrace them.
We also need to know that Jesus Christ is at the centre of Scripture: the Old Testament looked towards Him while He made the New Testament. Hence, in today’s gospel reading He said to the people, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the’ Father, but by me.” Without Jesus Christ we cannot understand the Scripture. He is the Truth we seek in the Scripture, He is the Way to seek it and the Life we seek in it. We should read Scripture to know Jesus Christ better. Our reading of Scripture should make us encounter Jesus Christ. If our reading of Scripture has not made us encounter Jesus Christ or know Him better, we are yet to grasp the understanding and meaning of Scripture. He is the One that speaks to us in the Scripture. He is the Word of God we want to hear in the Scripture. Without Him Scripture is no and void. It is impotent and non-active; He is the power of Scripture. Without Christ Scripture has no life and no truth to hold on to. It is the faith in Jesus Christ that makes Scripture meaningful, potent, active, alive and truth-filled.
O God, author of our freedom and our salvation, listen to the voice of our pleading, and grant that those you have redeemed by the shedding of your Son’s Blood, may have life through you and, under your protection, rejoice for ever unharmed. Amen (Collect)
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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