Saturday Of The 5th Week Of Eastertide 

Acts 16:1-10
John 15:18-21

We bear witness to the Easter experience, spreading it to the furthest corners of the world.

In today’s Gospel selection, Jesus highlights that sharing the Good News is not always an easy task. Often, our efforts can be stifled by persecution and even hatred. Despite this, the Good News continues to be spread throughout the world, even “to the very ends of the earth”.

As a community of believers, we are each called to be “missionaries” by living and witnessing our faith in the person of Jesus Christ. Through our words, actions, and examples, we can share the treasure of our faith and demonstrate the power of God’s love in our lives, and especially in our love for one another.

However, as Jesus reminds us, the message of love we proclaim may not always be received with great openness and enthusiasm. We may suffer as we proclaim God’s Kingdom to our contemporaries in the 21st century.

As Christians, our love for one another distinguishes us from the world, which is characterized by hatred and evil. When we love and obey Christ, we are often rejected by the world. The moment we refuse to accept sinful and selfish ways, we are not accepted by the world.

This hatred comes in various forms, including trials, tribulations, suffering, persecution, threats, mockery, malice, and oppression. The enemy’s strategy is to kill, steal, and destroy, and we are always hated by evil.

As Christians, we must choose to be on the Lord’s side by keeping his commandments of love. The truth is eternal and ever-hunting to all who hate it. We should live by the scriptures, be directed by the Holy Spirit, and spread the word of God wherever we go. We should go beyond our borders as there is always a need for help on the other side. Let us send your light, O Lord!

Fr Joseph Osho