DATE: 13TH MAY 2017 SATURDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER FIRST READING: Acts 13:44-52 PSALM: Psalm 98:1-4 GOSPEL: John 14:7-14 THEME: FAITHFULNESS

Mother Teresa of Calcutta is quoted as saying, 'I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.' True to her words, she pursued the path of faithfulness and turned out to be one of the most successful Christian missionaries of the 21st century.

When you focus on success and things do not go as planned you are inclined to give up but when you focus on faithfulness, even when you are unsuccessful you keep going until success locates you.

In today's first reading, we are told that the ministry of Paul and Barnabas in Antioch in Pisidia received different reactions and responses. After Paul had proclaimed the Word in the synagogue, there were some (principally the Jews) who responded with jealousy and blasphemy and there were others (principally the gentiles) who were happy and thankful. Those who were unhappy with the ministry of Paul and Barnabas, worked upon some of the women of the upper classes and the leading men of the city and persuaded them to turn against the two and to expel them from the city. The two faithful preachers of the word did not allow this to dishearten them. Rather, they shook the dust off their feet and went off to another town, Iconium, proclaiming the Gospel.

In proclaiming the Word of God, we should not expect success everywhere we go. There will always be those who resist the Word and those who receive the Word. The power of the Word of God to change a person for good is real. However this power can only be operative in the life of a person who receives the Word with faith.

A faith-FUL disciple is one who is FULL of faith in the Lord. Faith gives ability and the promise of Jesus holds true for all faithful disciples: Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father (Jn 14:12).

As we follow the Lord, may our faith in Him never waver and He would accomplish great things in and through us.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are a shining example of faithfulness. Even the cross could not rob you of your faith in the will of the Father. Give me a heart of faithfulness to proclaim your word in season and out of season. Amen

DATE: 12TH MAY 2017 FRIDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER FIRST READING: Acts 13:26-33 PSALM: Psalm 2:6-11 GOSPEL: John 14:1-6 THEME: WHEN TROUBLE COMES

Troubles are like the waves of the sea. They are always there on the sea of life. Their magnitude and timing can take us by surprise. The strong waves of trouble often come with many dis, viz. discomfort, disappointment, disturbance, discouragement etc. Trouble is the litmus test that determines the quality of one's faith in the Lord. When it comes, you would either float or drown.

Our Gospel text forms part of what is often referred to as the Last Supper Discourses in the Gospel of John. In this text, Jesus speaks to his disciples within the context of his last meal with them prior to his passion. Trouble was looming and death was imminent. To prepare their hearts for the test of faith that was coming, he tells them, Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, Trust also in me (Jn14::1).

These words of Jesus are apt for every Christian. There are moments, in our walk of faith with the Lord, when things may go wrong. There are moments when in spite of the fact that we have been prayerful and led a righteous life, things may fall apart and we may find ourselves buffeted by the waves of the sea. Some of these troubles shoot up in our marriages, relationships, religious communities, workplaces, schools and other vocations in life. Health concerns may become a headache as we battle with one disease after the other. Sometimes, you run to the Church for shelter and even there you may find another big trouble waiting for you.

The trouble with trouble is that you do not need to look for it; it knows where and how to find you. Jesus never said that if you follow him there would be no trouble. When trouble gets hold of you, he says, Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God, Trust also in me.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are my anchor at sea and my pillar in the face of life's wind-blast. Though the earth should quake and the hills turn into dust, I declare my unflinching faith in you. Amen.
 

DATE: 11TH MAY 2017 THURSDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER FIRST READING: Acts 13:13-25 PSALM: Psalm 89: 2-3,21,22,25,27 GOSPEL: John 13:16-20 THEME: KEEP GOING

In life's journey, there are people who will back out or chicken out, either silently or loudly, at very critical moments. This can be very discouraging and frustrating, especially when our partnership with such persons is geared towards accomplishing an important project. However, their backing out should never rob us of the vision that propels our mission in life. We must keep going.

We are told in the First Reading that at Perga in Pamphylia (a city in modern Turkey), John Mark left Barnabas and Saul on their missionary journey and returned to Jerusalem. No reason is given for his decision to abandon the mission but it was a decision that did not go well with Saul (cf. Acts 15:36-40). In spite of the decision of John Mark to leave them, we are told in the verse that follows, They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14). In other words, the decision of John Mark did not stop them from continuing with their mission.

Perhaps somebody may have abandoned you in your life's journey. It could be due to a misunderstanding on an issue or maybe the person no longer shares in the vision of your life's journey. It can be a painful experience, but if that should happen we must always remember that life goes on. Like Barnabas and Saul, the vision must still be kept in sight. Keep focus and keep going. The departure of John Mark should never bring you to a standstill in life.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I put my trust in you. You have promised me that you will never leave me alone. Even if everyone should abandon me, I can still count on you. Amen.

DATE: 10TH MAY 2017 WEDNESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER FIRST READING: Acts 12:24--13:5 PSALM: Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6,8 GOSPEL: John 12:44-50 THEME: HERE AM I LORD

St. Catherine of Siena is quoted as saying, Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire. Inherent in this quote is the fundamental truth that God has a plan for each one of us and that when we surrender ourselves to this divine plan, we become agents of change in our world.

The Holy Spirit had a plan for Paul and Barnabas as revealed in today's First Reading. While the Church in Antioch were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" (Act 13:2). The Church yielded to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent them off. Led by the Holy Spirit, these two embarked on a missionary journey that would set the world of their generation on fire.

It was not Barnabas and Saul who decided one morning, out of the blue, to embark on a missionary journey. No, their mission was divine and a fruit of waiting upon God in prayer.

It is possible to do what appears to be good and receive applauses from people without necessarily walking in the purpose and plan of God for one's life. To become who God meant you to be, one must spend quality time in prayerful worship and discernment. Perhaps, instead of  going about looking for some work to do for God, let us first seek to wait upon God in prayer and then He would work with us to accomplish great things.

As followers of Christ, no major decision in life should be taken without first seeking the face of God.

PRAYER: Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

DATE: 9TH MAY 2017 TUESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER FIRST READING: Acts 11:19-26 PSALM: Psalm 87: 1-7 GOSPEL: John 10:22-30 THEME: PREACH THE GOSPEL ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE

Pope John Paul II, addressing thousands of young people at the 8th World Youth Day at Denver, USA, said, Do not be afraid to go out on the streets and into public places, like the first apostles who preached Christ and the Good News of salvation in the squares of cities, towns and villages. This is no time to be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the time to preach it from rooftops. Do not be afraid to break out of comfortable and routine modes of living, in order to take up the challenge of making Christ known in the modern metropolis. It is you who must go out into the byroads and invite everyone you meet to the banquet which God has prepared for his people. The Gospel must not be kept hidden because of fear or indifference. It was never meant to be hidden away in private. It has to be put on a stand so that people may see its light and give praise to our heavenly Father.

Many have sought to find a reasonable explanation for the rapid propagation of the Gospel by the first generation of Christians, who for the most part were unlearned men and women. Well, every Christian of the first generation considered it his/her duty to witness. This was the secret of the rapid expansion that took place in the first hour of Christianity.

The first reading is a classic case in point. The church in Antioch was founded by lay-men and women fleeing the persecution launched against them in Jerusalem after the death of Stephen. As they fled, they preached. The fruit of their proclamation of the Gospel was the birth of  Christian communities in towns and cities: the church in Antioch is an example. This church later received an apostolic visit from the mother-Church in Jerusalem by the sending forth of Barnabas to them. It was there in Antioch that, we are told, the disciples were first called Christians.

The point is this: You do not need to be a priest or religious missionary to preach the Word of God. It is the duty of every Christian to share the Gospel with somebody. For example, what prevents a lay-woman who sells tomatoes at the market from telling someone who is buying tomatoes from her, Jesus loves you?  What prevents Christians living in a neighbourhood from coming together to form a Basic Christian Community, where they can meet frequently to share their faith and with time invite others in the neighbourhood to join them? What prevents a nurse in the hospital from telling a sick patient, Jesus cares about you? Every one of us can share his/her faith in subtle ways with others so that the Kingdom of God may be established in our generation. Why not give it a try today? Allow the Holy Spirit to use you to tell someone about Jesus before the day ends.

PRAYER: Lord, my heart is ready. Lead me to share your Word with someone today. Grant me this grace and I will give you the glory.  For the sake of the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen

DATE: 8TH MAY 2017 MONDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK OF EASTERTIDE FIRST READING: Acts 11:1-18 PSALM: Psalm 42: 2-3; 43:3-4 GOSPEL: John 10:11-18

One trait of a healthy spiritual life is openness to be surprised by God. Rigidity is a big obstacle to spiritual growth. Often, the Spirit of God enters into places where our fine theological ideas cannot go. He steps in and all the rules we make are broken.

The story of the conversion of Cornelius, as recounted by Peter in the First Reading, was a mind-boggling event for the early Jewish Christians. Gentiles were generally not considered by the Jews as part of God's chosen people. However, Cornelius  a Gentile received the Holy Spirit. Secondly, he received the Holy Spirit before baptism (one would have expected that the Holy Spirit would be given only after baptism). Thirdly, he received the Holy Spirit in his house  the very place where a pious Jew would not enter for fear of being defiled. In sum, the Holy Spirit took the early Jewish Christian community by a big surprise.

It appears the Holy Spirit is always on a daily search looking for any heart that is ready to receive him. Over the years, as I listen to the different stories of how people have encountered the Holy Spirit, I have come to the conclusion that in matters of the Spirit, we need a humble heart. I have heard of people being filled with the Holy Spirit while driving in their cars. Some have burst out in tongues while taking their shower and others have been touched by the Lord in their sleep. The subsequent positive change in their character and lifestyle attests that they have truly had a divine encounter. Indeed, the Spirit blows wherever he wills and often causes surprises.

PRAYER: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me I let go of my rigidity and pride. I surrender like a child in your hands. Have your way in my life and cause a change in me. For the sake of the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen

DATE: 7TH MAY 2017 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (VOCATION SUNDAY) FIRST READING: Acts 2:14, 36-41 PSALM: Psalm 23:1-6 SECOND READING: 1Peter 2:20-25 GOSPEL: John 10:1-10 THEME: THE CALL

The word vocation takes its root from the Latin verb vocare which means to call. Each one of us is called by the Lord for a purpose in this world and until we discover and respond fully to that call our lives would have no meaning and direction. It takes a divine call to be a husband, wife, priest, religious, catechist etc. Some people embrace vocations that are not theirs and consequently live frustrated lives but those who discover their true call have massive impact on our world. An apple tree in the right soil and climate produces fruits. Similarly, the one who discovers his/her vocation would bear many good fruits.

Three important stages can be identified in every vocation. The first is the call to holiness. Addressing an audience who had been struck by his preaching on the Day of Pentecost, Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). It was a universal call to holiness; it is the bedrock of any genuine vocation.

The second stage is the particular call. Thus in our Gospel text, Jesus, using the imagery of a shepherd, says, he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (Jn. 10:3). The calling by name makes each vocation unique. No two vocations are the same even if they share similar characteristics. Each one of us has received a particular call from the Lord. It takes prayer and discernment to discover what God is asking of us and where his voice is leading us to.

The third is the stage of following. Jesus continues his discourse on the Good shepherd with the statement, When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (Jn. 10:4). After discovering one's particular vocation, one must follow the Lord in that vocation. For example, it is not enough for me to be a Dominican Friar; I must follow the Lord daily in my ministry as a Dominican. Likewise, a husband, wife, priest, deacon, bishop or religious must continually follow the Lord in his/her vocation.

A vocation can be likened to a candle that offers itself completely in order to give light and warmth. Wax must melt for light to shine in the dark. This calls for patience in suffering (see Second Reading).

As we celebrate Vocation Sunday today, each one of us should prayerfully ask him/herself, Have I discovered my true vocation in life and am I living it to the full? Again, we should each ask ourselves, How faithful am I in my vocation?

The eternal destination of each one of us is intimately intertwined with how we each respond to the call of the Lord.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I choose to listen to your voice this day; I choose to follow you; I choose eternal life. Amen.
 
Francis Amponsah, OP