Today’s Readings:
Acts 9:1-20;
Psalm 117;
John 6:52-59
Did you know that before the followers of Christ were called “Christians”, they were referred to as followers of “The Way”?
Acts 9:2 – “Paul had gone to the high priest and asked for letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, that would authorise him to arrest and take to Jerusalem any followers of’ ‘the Way’, men or women, that he could find.”
Why “The Way”?
This is a reference to Jesus’ statement about Himself in John 14:6:
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." It is a bold claim to say that you are the way which means that others are misled. By claiming to be the truth, Jesus says that any other set of beliefs that run contrary to His teachings are false. So, there is no such thing as “my truth” or “your truth”; there is only truth. And if your truth is not Christ’s, then you are wrong. By claiming to be life, Jesus says that those who do not believe in him are already marked for death and destruction by virtue of their rebellion against Him. And he proved this by His death and resurrection.
Why is it important to follow the way?
We all are curious about our purpose in life; we want to know why we are in this world. The answer to these questions is the person of Jesus Christ. And until we follow the way He points out; we will remain confused and frustrated. The way He points out is the path of love.
A lawyer once asked Jesus, “What is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Matthew 22:37-40 – “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’
Love of God above all things and love of one’s neighbour is the summary teaching of The Way. Saint Paul had to be shown ‘the way’. He was persecuting the followers of Christ. Jesus confronts him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ By killing Christians, Paul was breaking the second commandment of The Way which commands us to love our neighbour.
We cannot follow ‘The Way’ by our own strength. By default, we have a tendency to be self-centered. We struggle to check on others or assist them in their needs (even our family members). We mostly care about ourselves and those we hope to benefit from. But even pagans do as much. We are followers of 'The Way' because we consider everyone as our brethren in Christ. And kindness shown to anyone is shown to God (“Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, you do it to me” Matthew 25:40). How then do we evolve a Christ-like mindset? Jesus offers us a way (John 6:52-59):
SPIRITUAL LIFE THROUGH THE EUCHARIST – “If you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you.”
ETERNAL LIFE – “Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise
him up on the last day.”
DIVINE IN DWELLING – “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in Me, and I live in him.”
DAILY RENEWAL OF GRACE – “As I, who am sent by the living Father, Myself draw life from the
Father, so whoever eats Me will draw life from Me.”
NO FEAR OF DEATH – “Anyone who eats this bread will live forever.”
The only adequate response to ‘The Way’ is to accept Jesus’ word as the word of life and to receive Him as often as possible in the Eucharist as the source of supernatural strength. When the Scriptures say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”; it is referring to study of scripture and frequent reception of the Eucharist. Indifference to Christ is a sign of spiritual death. Where you are not opportuned to receive the Eucharist physically, make a spiritual act of communion:
“My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.”
JUDE-MARY OWOH
Prayer:
Father lead me on the path of happiness, favour, peace and joy always, in Jesus name.
Lord, grant that I see You more clearly, follow You more nearly, and love You more dearly all the days of my life, in Jesus name.
Lord uproot everything You have not planted in Your Church, and revive your Pentecostal power and fire, in Jesus name.
Father grant that we have god-fearing leaders in our nation, Nigeria, heal her and move her forward, in Jesus name.
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