Monday of the 3rd week of Easter year A
Theme: The good: Will triumph
In the 1st reading of today, we see the struggle between good and evil at play. Those who belonged to the other groups could not stand the exploits of Steven, and so they felt not secured. As a result of their insecurities, they instigated the people against Steven and brought false witnesses against him. The truth is that the fight between the good and bad is as old as man. Just like in the case of Steven, the fact that you are doing what is good and right does not exonerate you from the evil plots of wicked and evil people.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, the opposite is what happens most of the time. This is because your exploits for God will expose their inadequacies and they will be uncomfortable with your presence around them. We see that scenario in the case of Jesus, just like that of Steven in todays 1st reading. It is left for us as individuals to resolve to stand for what is always good and right. Remember, whoever God bless, no man can cause. We see that in the life of Steven, Jesus and so many others in the scripture. When you choose to be on the side of God, he gives you the wisdom from above that confounds the people of the world; just like in the case of Steven in the 1st reading of today.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, we must be mindful of the battles we fight, we must use the wisdom of God to select our battles. When we fight a just battle like Steven, Esther, and Jesus, we just play our role and allow God to take control of what is left. He will handle the situation in a way that will surprise you and all those who are battling with God, thinking they are fighting you. We were told in todays 1st reading that, “all who sat in the council to judge Steven, saw that his face was like the face of an angel. When God is involved, all protocols are broken for your good. We just need to be good and upright in our dealings and allow God to fight our battles for us. It is important to always remember that the God we serve will always fight for himself, you don’t need to fight for him. When you have done what you should do in that situation, then hand everything over to God and watch him handle the situation in his own way.
As we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we are all encouraged in today’s gospel reading to go in search of Jesus for the things that truly matter in our life, and not for perishable things that will end here on earth. Let us go in search of Jesus for the things we truly need, not for the things we want. Thus, we must work for the things that transcend our earthly life, to things of heaven. May the Lord bless his words in our hearts in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.