What It Means To Have Faith

 

Our works should bear witness to us.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of 4th Week of Easter, April 23rd, 2024
Texts: Acts 11:19-26; Psalm 87; John 10:22-30 

Today’s readings reveal what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ. Today’s first reading is the story of how the faith came to the Gentiles. Some of those whom the persecution scattered spoke to the Greeks about the faith. Having received the faith they modelled their lives after Jesus. We read, “For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.” 

The people knew Jesus Christ through the teaching and preaching of the disciples. The writer introduces this fact when he says, “preaching the  Lord  Jesus”. Being called Christians means that they were faithful to the preaching and teaching of the disciples. They were not just hearers but doers. They teach us to be faithful to Scripture, Tradition and Magisterium of the church. We should not just be hearers of the word but also be doers.  

Their faith was not only in the mouth but also in their actions

The faith for the people means faithfulness to the preaching and teaching of the disciples. Their faith was not only in the mouth but also in their actions. Having been faithful in words and deeds, the people recognised Christ in them and called them Christians. Just like Jesus, our works should bear witness to us. In the words of Jesus: “The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness to me”. 

The Jews of today’s gospel just heard Jesus Christ but refused to believe. Jesus Christ puts it thus: "I told you, and you do not believe.” They were hearers but not doers of the word. Jesus tells us that people of their kind do not belong to His sheep; they do not follow Him. Faith in Jesus means following Him and being Christians. It also means having eternal life. Jesus says “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life”. 

Prayer 

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, celebrating the mysteries of the Lord’s Resurrection, we may merit to receive the joy of our redemption. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke