Fourth Sunday of Easter: Good Shepherd Sunday - May 08, 2022
Readings: Acts 13:14, 43–52; Psalm 100:1–3, 5; Revelation 7:9, 14–17; John 10:27–30
(Jesus the Good Shepherd) To listen to my audio-video reflections on YouTube, please click on this link |
These days, we are flooded with the news of the bloody war in Ukraine unleashed by its neighbour Russia, the national economic crisis in our neighbouring country, Sri Lanka and unending communal hatred being spread by the loyalists and fanatics of the BJP supporters and its government/s in India. It would be interesting to ask if Paul and Barnabas were around what would have been their reaction as they go on their preaching trail? Which city they would have chosen as a base for their mission of saving work? The Acts of the Apostles says 'Iconium' was the city that they preferred. It was the safest. Paul and Barnabas even though they preached in Antioch in Pisidia had trouble from the community and so had to leave for Iconium. The passage reads: "The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit" in that city of peace and tranquillity (Acts 13:52).
1. God's strength in spite of failures
A lot of political game is going on here in Greek lands. We see first both Paul and Barnabas speaking with new converts to Judaism but now followers of Paul's faith and Paul tells them to remain faithful to their call of God. Then Paul and Barnabus turn to old Jews, and say to them these words, “It was necessary that the Word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:46). Paul is demanding absolute obedience from them. In spite of many failures that Paul encounters a great multitude of people joins his way.