Reflection on Today’s Readings, 5th Sunday of Easter, May 15th, 2022
Texts: Acts 14:21b-27; Ps 145:8-13ab; Revelation 21: 1-5a; John 13:31-33a.34-35
We are told in the first reading the report of the missionary endeavours of Paul and Barnabas. They gave account of how God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. However, what was the key to this door of faith? It was the witness of Paul and Barnabas. God did not open the door of faith to the people without the witness of Paul and Barnabas. Paul, himself, acknowledge this when he says, “But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Rom. 10:14-15). Without witness the door of faith will remain close. If faith does not grow and multiply it is because we have no witness.
It is also good to note that the witness determines the quality of faith produced. If the witness is fake, he will also produce superficial faith, the kind of faith that is not deep and only remains at the surface. It is easy to bemoan the high level of crimes and moral decadence in our various societies, but very difficult to see how we have contributed to it. Which kind of witness I am in my workplace? Which kind of witness I am as a parent? Which kind of witness I am as a priest? Do I animate the society with the Spirit of Christ or my spirit? Do I animate my family with the Spirit of Christ? Have we not closed the door of faith to people? We know what is right but we do not do it. This is because we tend towards the spirit of the world rather than the Spirit of Christ.
We see in today’ gospel reading that a witness glorifies God and that God is also glorified in him. Jesus Christ witnessed to the love of the Father by His death and resurrection. It is said, “Jesus said, “Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.” When he speaks of His glory, He means His death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. By His death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus Christ bore witness to His Father. We need to surrender ourselves to God, we need to accept the lot that fall to us to bear witness to God. It is also clear in the reading that when we show love we bear witness to God. It is said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” It is through love that we bear witness to God.
Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal. Amen (Collect).
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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