Advancing In The Midst Persecution

Acts 8:1-8
John 6:35-40

The death of Stephen opened the floodgates of persecution. It is a day that would go down in history as infamy in one hand, but a day that would signify the beginning of the spread of the good news to the Gentiles. From a human perspective, one might look at the death of Stephen, a truly mighty man of God, as “premature” and as a horrible tragedy. But his death was not premature, for he fully accomplished the work the Father had planned for him to accomplish (John 4:34 and John 17:4)God’s perspective of the value of one life is not the same as our perspective, for we seen only in time, while God sees in eternity.

The disciples were scattered as a result of the persecution. But all the leaders did by scattering the disciples was to plant them in the places to which they had been scattered, for there they “preached the word” (Acts 8:4) Is that true of you? Wherever you find yourself—whether scattered by work or family or education or some other means—have you considered yourself planted in that place? Have you put down roots and born fruit for Jesus Christ? Do you blossom where you are planted? That is what these early Christians did. It is because of this activity that even the bad things that had happened to them served to advance the cause of Christ. Later Paul would write, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans8:28)

Here are some few points to note;

• Persecution is inevitable for the godly; don’t be surprised by it; Prepare! Always prepare!
• Persecution accomplishes God’s overall goals for the health and growth of His church – We can fortify ourselves by studying the grace that God provided to His servants who gave the ultimate sacrifice down through church history
• We should have solidarity and prayer support for our brothers and sisters who are under direct attack
• We should be confident in our ultimate victory as we focus on the vision of heavenly glory and the Advocacy on our behalf by Christ-the Righteous One who has sent the Holy Spirit to assist us.

In today’s Gospel , Jesus says “”I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” Biblical references to Jesus as the Bread of Life are clearly eucharistic: “Then Jesus took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.’” Do this in memory of me!

Jesus calls us to do likewise. It is when we share our lives in service to others that we become truly who we are…sons and daughters of God. The mystery of faith is we must give ourselves away to find our true selves. In a sense, we become who God created us to be when we die to ourselves and nourish others. We are the Bread of Life in today’s world. When we say AMEN when receiving the Eucharist, we are saying “Yes, let it be so.” Let us be a source of life for others by sharing our lives as Jesus does.

Fr Joseph Osho