Second week of Easter

 

12-17 APRIL 2021, HOLY MASS REFLECTION

 

12 APRIL 2021: ACTS 4. 23-31; JOHN 3. 1-8

 

Focus: One can resist the human powers but no one can resist and destroy the power of God

 

There is a total difference and change in the life of the apostles before and after the resurrection. After the resurrection, they were totally transformed, contrasting and startling in reference to their life before. There is an incredible boldness, incomparable wisdom and awe-evoking signs of miracles. They become passionate heralds and indefectible witnesses to the risen Lord. They become fearless and unstoppable. This is all due to the power of the risen Lord, the anointing by the Holy Spirit. It is this risen experience that transforms them into witnesses both in word and in deed. In the words of Jesus in the gospel, the apostles are truly those “reborn” of ‘water and spirit’. They are regenerated from above. In them, “the wind blows where it wills” in irresistible freedom, spontaneity, and effect. This wind is the Spirit. If one surrenders oneself to the action of the Spirit, then he will take care. He will direct the life. If we too are to be his witnesses, we too need to be reborn and born from above. We too are to be totally receptive and cooperative to the action of the Spirit. We too need to make a constant transition like Nicodemus from the “night” of imperfect faith to the light of perfect faith. We must be renewed from our old nature. We must constantly rise above what is merely earthly and worldly. We must allow the Spirit to blow and act freely in our lives.

 

Direction: It is fear that inhibits and hinders us from being deeply loyal and committed to the Lord. It needs conviction and courage to stand for him and accomplish his mission

 

13 APRIL 2021: ACTS 4. 32 – 5. 1; JOHN 3. 7-15

 

Focus: When the interior freedom is not there, the exterior freedom can easily become deviant and even pernicious

 

Freedom is one of the greatest assets of a human being. But today more than ever, this freedom is misunderstood. It is wrongly equated with indulgence and pleasurability. Thus very often freedom becomes destructive. This is truly false freedom because it is not positive or productive. Further, instead of freeing the person, it only enslaves the person, with subtle and unconscious bondages. It is this false freedom that enslaves many to greed and accumulation and leads many to gratify themselves in compromises and false values. In other words, the lack of inner freedom leads one to undue craving and attachment to money and material possessions. Detachment and true freedom go together.

The apostles obtained, nurtured and manifested this true freedom, the freedom of the Spirit. This is the productive freedom that makes the early Christian community to be deeply detached from worldly possessions. This is the altruistic freedom that shares generously with the needy. This is the constructive freedom that builds a community with one heart and mission. This is the transcending freedom that makes each of them a living testimony to the risen Lord. Selling off the properties in the spirit of detachment, and distributing them in generosity are the hallmarks of true disciples of Christ and a true Christian community.

This model of the early Christians and their community is really edifying, inspiring and worth-imitating. This is also a great challenge to many of the modern followers of Christ and the Christian communities, which are far from these ideals. A good number are deeply engrossed in a suffocating spirit of greed and accumulation, deceit and manipulation.

 

Direction: Let us raise our level and perspective of thinking and living from the merely earthly and below to what is heavenly and above. Otherwise, we cannot enjoy the freedom of the joy and power of the Spirit and the life of God

 

14 APRIL 2021: ACTS 5. 17-26; JOHN 3. 16-21

 

Focus: The man of today reels under the weight of defeat and loss, only because he deliberately fights against good and thus against God Himself

 

The Jewish authorities were not fools or ignorant. They knew very well that the apostles were authentic witnesses to Jesus Christ. If only a little open and humble, they would also know that Jesus Christ is the Life, the Truth, and the Light. They would know that it is the very power of God that was acting in and through the apostles. But the human jealousy and the evil incline pose them as opposed to that very power of God. Consequently, they would not realize that they were opposing not mere individuals, but God Himself. God brings them to their senses again and again that no stone walls of a prison, no chains of threat and persecution could restrain the apostles from preaching Christ openly and publicly.

Thus there is a clear contrast between the apostles and the unbelieving Jews: the apostles believe and experience the saving love of God through Jesus, who offers to the sin-laden humanity life, truth and light leading to salvation. They receive the life and live the life of God, they adhere to the truth and live truthfully and they open themselves to the light and become enlightened and radiant. On the contrary, the obstinate Jews refuse God’s life and become lifeless spiritually, they content themselves with falsity and they prefer to walk in the dark. They hate the light, love darkness, do the works of evil. Thus, they deliberately forfeit the grace of God. They throw away the love and forgiveness of God that offer a renewed life. Thus, while the believers merit salvation, the opponents deserve judgment and condemnation. In fact, it is auto-judgment and not a judgment imposed by God.

 

Direction: One need not lament and blame God sternly judging and condemning humanity. It is, in fact, an auto-judgment and condemnation, in all freedom and choice. God does not force anyone to sin and be liable to judgment

 

15 APRIL 2021: ACTS 5. 27-33; JOHN 3. 31-36

 

Focus: Those who are guided by human fragilities like jealousy, pride, stubbornness and false prestige operate on the human level and become resistant to every good

 

The Jewish authorities are entangled in the earthly realm. They are not able to rise above. They are totally overpowered and guided by human jealousy, self-interests and cheap motives. They vehemently resent and reject the apostles’ preaching. They resist the power of their witness to the risen Lord. They desperately try to suppress their irresistible ministry and the increasing numbers of believers. They even forget that they may be placing themselves against God Himself. They suffer from a guilty conscience. Instead of repenting and changing their lives, the authorities all the more want to terminate the truth that goes on pricking and disturbing them. Thus, they decide to kill the apostles. Simultaneously, they also throw away the eternal life, offered by the Son. It is not merely the rejection of an individual called Jesus, or the rejection of a new religion called Christianity. It is in fact the rejection of the grace of God itself, and the rejection of a new way of life.

It is in this context, the bold assertion and conviction of the apostles is an eye-opener, challenge and guiding norm for all of us: “We must obey God rather than the humans”. This obedience ennobles and enables them to be witnesses to the Lord, risking their own lives. The apostles believed in the Son, as sent by the Father. They bear testimony to the Son just as the Son bears testimony to the Father. In consequence, they may face death at human hands but they will obtain eternal life from the hands of God.

Ultimately, only obedience and witness are the greatest directives for a true follower of Christ!

It is good to check and see on whose side we are: the unbelieving Jews or the faithful apostles?

 

Direction: Unfortunately, often the norm for the decisions and actions of many is obeying and pleasing the world and not God and good. Accordingly, they have to render a strict account to God

 

16 APRIL 2021: ACTS 5. 34-42: JOHN 6. 1-15

 

Focus: We must always remember the simple principle in life: If something is God’s will, nobody can resist it; if it is not God’s will, nobody can assist it

 

How wise is Gamaliel! He appeals to be judicious and discerning concerning religious issues and matters of faith! He provides a simple criterion to test whether something is of God or not. And that is perseverance and durability: if something comes from God, it will last in spite of all the obstacles and struggles; if it is merely a human enterprise, it will vanish sooner or later. What a difference of quality and beneficiality can there be if only God’s holy will becomes the deciding criterion for every process of discernment and implementation!

Alas, very often the human calculations and pretentious intelligence become normative for most of the decisions and actions. That is why great human enterprises easily fail and collapse because they are not of God. A disciple of Christ must have the spirit of trust and surrender. They should always believe that God never abandons them. God comes to their rescue, in every sort of difficulty. It can be the suffering because of their faith or can be a need like hunger as in the gospel. Whatever be the kind of problem, unfailing faith is most important. It is this faith that makes the apostles stand bold and firm, and rejoice even amidst affliction. What a faith it is: they are not upset or ashamed. But they feel great and honoured to suffer something for God!

The gospel episode of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand also presents another faith situation. True faith cooperates with God’s grace. In the Acts of the Apostles, this cooperation is seen in their perseverance. In the gospel, it is seen in a happy offering to God at His disposal. It indicates a willingness to place at the Lord’s disposal our very little - five loaves and two fish. It is to surrender the whole “needy and desperate situation” to the Lord’s concern, trusting in his benevolence and power as well.

 

Direction: Miracles still happen not because our faith is great or our contribution is mighty, but only because God’ love and power are abundant to meet and satisfy our needs

 

17 APRIL 2021: ACTS 6. 1-7; JOHN 6. 16-21

 

Focus: At times, in life, a strong wind will be blowing and hitting the lifeboat. We may be frightened. It is in such times, we must attentively listen to the Lord’s assurance, “It is I; do not be afraid”

 

Surely, in life difficulties and challenges will come upon us. They can be of different kinds, sometimes, human, sometimes, natural. In the Acts of the Apostles, the apostles faced the problem of misunderstanding, displeasure and division – a human situation of injustice and unfairness. It is a matter of conflict between the Hellenistic believers and the Hebrew. In the gospel, it is a natural difficulty due to heavy wind in the sea against the boat – a situation of fear and tension. But, they did not get lost or frustrated at the problematic situation. They confronted and addressed it. The apostles prayed. They turned to God. They sought the light of the Spirit. They obtained wisdom. They discerned the clarity of priorities. Accordingly, they devote themselves to prayer and ministry of the word, while they choose 7 deacons to do the serving at the tables. They know that both the ministries, of the word and of the service, are important. But they also realize that their priority as apostles is the spiritual ministry. This cannot suffer at the hands of the other ministry. However, they do not undervalue its importance. Therefore, they pray to the Holy Spirit and choose men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.

Similarly, in the gospel, the apostles get frightened at the strong wind. But, they listen to Jesus’ directive not to be afraid but to confide in him. They gladly take him into the boat, and the boat has a smooth sail to the shore.

It is not wise to expect a no-problem situation in our life. Our faith is not a foolproof or shield or guarantee against all problems and adversities. When faced with problems, the first recourse should be to God. Wisdom and Discernment should be our properties with which we clarify our priorities. Trust and surrender to him even amidst fear and anxiety should be our assurance and solace.

 

Direction: The joy of life is not in evading problems, especially in our journey of discipleship. Rather, it is in encountering them and resolving them with the light of the Spirit and the power of the risen Lord