Monday of the 5th week of Easter
Theme: The glory of God
In today’s 1st reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas continues to do exploit in the name of God; not minding the gang up against them and the rejection. They escaped from been stoned by the Jews and Gentiles and went to surrounding countries to continue their exploits in the name of God. Their action says a lot to us as Disciples of Christ in our own time. There are moments we face setbacks and rejection as followers of Christ, we must never give up, just like Paul and Barnabas did in today’s 1st reading. Our field of evangelization is as big as the whole world and there are people who can still meet God through us if we resolve to be true ambassadors of Christ. The rejection they encountered made them to move to other places and they were celebrated by the people.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, sometimes we go through difficult situations to get to where God wants us to be, that is why we must not allow the storms and difficulties we encounter in our life to stop us from pushing forward and doing what is good and acceptable to God. The humility exhibited by Paul and Barnabas when they were been celebrated by the people, is worthy of emulation by you and I as followers of Christ. They refused to take the glory that belongs to God. As against what is becoming a common practice in our own time; people taking the glory that belongs to God Almighty. As followers of Christ, we must learn to humble ourselves at such moments and allow God to bless us in his own way. Just like the action of Paul and Barnabas that is reiterated in the response to our psalm today, “Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory”.
In the Gospel reading Jesus invites us in a very special way to keep his commandment of love and experience in a very special way his love and that of his father. Dearly beloved in Christ, let us make honest and sincere effort to adhere to the admonition of Jesus and allow the love of God to guide all our actions in our daily life. The most important thing is for us to make effort to practice love in our life and God will supply whatever is left.
May Almighty God bless you, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.