COLLECT: “O GOD, WHO RESTORE US TO ETERNAL LIFE IN THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, GRANT YOUR PEOPLE CONSTANCY IN FAITH AND HOPE, THAT WE MAY NEVER DOUBT THE PROMISES OF WHICH WE HAVE LEARNED FROM YOU. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Acts 14:19-28; Ps 144:10-13,21 and Jn 14:27-31a.
The Dagaaba proverb: “Ka foo tuuro zen-nyogra, fo na miile la memere/bebegre” (Lit. “If you follow a fisherman, you will get soiled with mud”), has once again, confirmed what Paul and Barnabas have to go through in the passage of the Book of Acts we reflect on today (Acts 14:19-28). In this portion of Acts, the sequence of Paul’s adventures continues. As if Paul and Barnabas could have some peace now from the trouble-shooting Jews who, out of envy and jealousy, are a nuisance to Paul’s missionary journey, this has not been the case.
These very Jews, who force Paul and Barnabas out of Iconium, follow them to Lystra where they win over the crowd and incite the crowd against them. Paul is stoned and dragged out of the city supposing he is dead. When Paul regains his consciousness, he goes with Barnabas to Derbe.
Later, revisiting all the cities they visited before, strengthening the spirits of the disciples and exhorting them to persevere in faith. Great encouragement. In the portion of John’s gospel for the day (14:27-31a), Jesus promises peace as his precious parting gift to the disciples, but not the peace as the world knows it. “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid”.
There is a vast difference between peace from the Lord (The Prince of Peace) and peace from this world dictated by Satan the Prince of the world.
(a) Peace from the Lord (Prince of Peace) does not seek revenge or retaliate. It does not hold grudges, waiting for a particular measure to react. It forgives even worse offenders. It shows love not hatred. It is not envious. It does not cause trouble. It does not disturb the existing peace where people live in tranquillity and harmony. It does not inflict pain and suffering even when it can. It does not murder or kill. In fact, this is a Christian principle, and every Christian should strive to live this way.
(b) The peace the world gives, which is being dictated by Satan the Prince of the world overturns and contradicts all that is in the peace that the Prince of Peace gives. This is unchristian, it is satanic and only Satan and his disciples live this way.
We need to learn many things today from Paul and Barnabas. Their behaviour shows they are true followers of Jesus, the Prince of peace; they are true Christians. They encountered troubles in some of the cities where they preached the good news. They experienced the fickle-mindedness of the people in some cities, especially in Lystra where the people took Paul and Barnabas to be their gods (Hermes/Mercury and Zeus/Jupiter) that had come back in the persons of Barnabas and Paul, because of the miracles they performed there.
Later on, the people turned against them. Paul and Barnabas did not however retaliate. They went back to them, putting things in order, strengthening and encouraging the people in these communities, even in so-called enemy cities. We also see, in a sense, the power of community prayer, or praying together. See how the disciples gathered around Paul in prayer when he was stoned. He regained consciousness, got up and entered the city preaching.
May we learn to pray together, and pray for others, especially those in trouble. May we also learn to live like Barnabas and Paul, genuine Christians, but not like the ‘some Jews from Antioch and Iconium who arrived there, incited, and won the crowd against Paul and Barnabas’. May we learn to forgive and always be ready to work for peace wherever we find ourselves. We pray for peace in marriages, in our homes/families, offices and workplaces and in the whole world. May Saint Bernardine intercede for us. Stay blessed and happy feast to all who bear the name Bernardine.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, TUESDAY, ON THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES: ‘THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN, THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR, THE CROWNING WITH THORNS, THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS AND THE CRUCIFIXION’ (WE PRAY FOR SORROW FOR SIN, PURITY, COURAGE, PATIENCE, AND PERSEVERANCE) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “LOOK WITH KINDNESS UPON YOUR PEOPLE, O LORD, AND GRANT, WE PRAY, THAT THOSE YOU WERE PLEASED TO RENEW BY ETERNAL MYSTERIES MAY ATTAIN IN THEIR FLESH THE INCORRUPTIBLE GLORY OF THE RESURRECTION. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863.
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