COLLECT: “GRACIOUSLY HEAR OUR SUPPLICATION, O LORD, SO THAT WE, WHO BELIEVE THAT THE SAVIOUR OF THE HUMAN RACE IS WITH YOU IN YOUR GLORY, MAY EXPERIENCE, AS HE PROMISED, UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD, HIS ABIDING PRESENCE AMONG US. WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Acts 1:12-14; Ps 26:1,4,7-8a; 1Pt 4:13-16; Jn 17:1-11
"COUNT YOURSELF BLESSED WHEN YOU ARE PERSECUTED, INSULTED AND MALTREATED FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST"
Some two notorious frogs fell into hot oil. As they suspended on top of the oil, frog “A” was helpless and was “finished” and just stayed like that and eventually went down into the bottom of the oil container and died in the oil. Frog “B” on the other hand said to himself that he would not give up until he could not do otherwise to save himself. Therefore, he swam and continued swimming and eventually he realised that the oil began to coagulate. The surface of the oil eventually formed a solid layer. The frog having taken advantage of that, rested a while to gather some energy to hop out of the oil pot.
Today’s gospel is the scene of Jesus’ last meeting with the Apostles, after having gone through a lot of persecution and torture and is now waiting to go through his very last earthly ordeal, He prays, both to be heard by his Father, and to be overheard by his disciples. Other gospels put this scene at our Lord’s agony in the garden.
Indeed, things have not been so easy or rosy for Jesus – beginning at his birth till this very moment. We know what he has to go through up to his death. However, throughout his suffering, Jesus never gives up faith in his Father. He perseveres and endures up to this point of His “Hour” that has come. With conviction, he makes this priestly prayer to the Father. Jesus is however aware that the Apostles will go through similar things he has gone through. Therefore, Jesus prays for them.
Indeed, the Apostles and early Christians suffered crucifixion, stoning, martyrdom, assaults and insults, false accusations, molestations, imprisonment, flogging or severe beating, etc. Yet, like Jesus, they remained steadfast in the faith. They even rejoiced in several instances, when they were maltreated, joyfully or happily counting themselves among the sharers of Christ’s (Christians’) suffering.
This is the background of the 2nd Reading, where Peter is giving his listeners some encouragement in the face of persecution and suffering. Christians should know that if Christ, our Lord and Master had to undergo persecution, hardships and tribulations, we would equally go through such, and therefore we should be prepared for that in the world. According to Peter, in the face of persecution and suffering, Christians should continue to live and work as Christians and be happy and joyful as they would be glorified with Jesus Christ, who suffered a lot to redeem us.
Yes, Jesus, as well as the Apostles amid sufferings, hardships and persecutions, were able to faithfully carry out the work that God gave them on earth. The secret behind that was their enduring faith and also their perseverance in prayer.
What about you and me? We might not be called to do great and mighty things but ordinary simple things like those for: Housewife, Husband, Teacher, Doctor, Nurse, Cleaner, Priest, Religious, politician, civil servant, trader, cook, etc. How do we execute our duties especially in the face of trials, persecutions and tribulations? Do we try to recoil or run away or do we persevere and endure? Do not and never recoil because of suffering and persecution. Pray for the patience to continue doing your work.
Our share of persecution may not be those mentioned above which Jesus, the Apostles and some of the early Christians had to undergo on earth. Ours may be those troubled times when we think and feel that God is probably far away from us, that God is unconcerned about what is happening to us. Ours may be in the face of mild or even serious misunderstandings in our relationships. Yours may be that you are the only one manning (“womanning”) the household. Yours may be acute hatred for no apparent reason at the job side or in the office, where things are not progressing and everything seems to be against you. Yours may be vocation crisis, etc.
In fact, when we are going through one or some of the above, it is like we have fallen into hot oil/water/soup. The answer or solution for all the above hot “oil/water/soup” and their like, is enduring faith in God, perseverance and intense prayer. In your prayer, also be convinced that Jesus Christ is praying with you and therefore through the Holy Spirit, he will take care of your worries, fears and anxieties.
Let us take inspiration from St. Paul when he was about to leave Ephesus, he summoned the presbyters there and in his final words before he left for Jerusalem, he told them he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem because he knew what awaited him there – imprisonment and hardship. “Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the Gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:22-24).
Let us take inspiration from the Dagaaba expression that: “Dogee ba kuuro” (Lit. Suffering does not kill). Also remember that, “No condition is permanent”. Indeed, suffering may transform us into a life of blessing in future. Truly, unless we deliberately desert Christ because of suffering and pain and miss his blessings and what he promises us, if we are faithful to him and pray to/with him, he will always be with us to lessen our burden and pain, for he promised to always be with us and pray for us. He has also assured us in Mt 11:28ff, to “come to all who are……………” May the Lord grant each one of us the patience, perseverance and endurance needed for our spiritual journey here on earth. Stay blessed and happy Sunday.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, SUNDAY, ON THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES: ‘THE RESURRECTION, THE ASCENSION, THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE ASSUMPTION, AND THE CORONATION’. (WE PRAY FOR FAITH, HOPE, LOVE OF GOD, GRACE OF A HAPPY DEATH AND TRUST IN MARY’S INTERCESSION) “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 at the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “HEAR US, O GOD OUR SAVIOUR, AND GRANT US CONFIDENCE, THAT THROUGH THESE SACRED MYSTERIES THERE WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE BODY OF THE WHOLE CHURCH WHAT HAS ALREADY COME TO PASS IN CHRIST HER. WHO LIVES AND REIGNS FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com
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