Life Is Not All About Smooth Sail

 

There is always turbulent moment in life.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Saturday of 2nd Week of Easter, Year B, April 13th, 2024
Texts: Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,18-19; John 6:16-21 

Life is not all about smooth sail. There is always turbulent moment in life. The early Christians experienced their turbulent moment in life. The people that were once of one heart and soul was almost rent asunder by partiality and racism. Today’s first reading says, “In these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.” 

Today’s gospel reading gives the picture of turbulent moment of the people of God. We read, “It was now dark, and  Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea rose because a strong wind was blowing.” The people experienced turbulent moment because of loss of focus on Jesus Christ. It was the moment that they lost the light of Christ. The love of Christ was no longer in the hearts of those who perpetrated the racism. 

It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God

The apostles, in responding to the situation, teach us to prioritise the word of God and prayer. We read, “And the Twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.’” Hence, they asked the people to select seven persons for the service.  

Prioritising the right thing, right things fell into place for the apostles. Hence, we read, “And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” If they had prioritised the wrong thing, wrong things would have fallen into place for them. Whatever we sow we reap. Let us always prioritise the right thing, that right things might fall into place for us. 

Prayer 

Set aside, O Lord, the bond of sentence written for us by the law of sin, which in the Paschal Mystery you cancelled through the Resurrection of Christ your Son. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke