Preaching The Word

Our attainment of eternal life is by doing the will of God. 

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Wednesday of 3rd Week of Easter, Year B, April 17th, 2024
Texts: Acts 8:1-8; Psalm 66:1-7; John 6:35-40 

We read, today, thus: “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” This tells how powerful the word of God is. The word of God continues to spread in the face of persecution. The disciples continued to win more souls outside Jerusalem. We read, “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.”

We see in today’s first reading how God used persecution to advance His plan. No one can thwart the word of God and sabotage His plan. The plan of God for us is that we have eternal life through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus says, “For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." Eternal life is sure for us in Jesus Christ. Whatever happens to us works to fulfil God’s plan for us. 

They fulfilled the will of God by doing it

Jesus also teaches us, today, to do the will of God, not our will. He says, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me”. We are truly His disciples by following His footsteps, doing the will of God. The persecuted Christians continued to spread the word of God because they bent on doing God’s will. They fulfilled the will of God by doing it. Our attainment of eternal life is by doing the will of God.  

The early Christians teach us that our desire for eternal life should be greater than our fear of death. We falter in doing God’s will often because our desire for eternal life is not strong; our fear of death is often greater than the desire for eternal life. For some of us our desire for pleasure is even greater than our desire for eternal life.  

Our life is meaningful only when we attain eternal life

It is now time to know that the goal of our life here is eternal life. Missing eternal life is missing the purpose of our earthly existence and life becomes meaningless. Our life is meaningful only when we attain eternal life.  

Prayer 

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  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke