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Laity Reflections for 5th Sunday of Easter - Year A
1st Reading: (Acts 6: 1-7)
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm 33:1-2.4-5.18-19 (R. 22)
2nd Reading: (1 Peter 2:4-9)
Gospel: (John 14: 1- 12)
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm 33:1-2.4-5.18-19 (R. 22)
2nd Reading: (1 Peter 2:4-9)
Gospel: (John 14: 1- 12)
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| Eshiebor Asemokhai Simon |
"Lord, we do not know where you are going.."
This was Thomas' response to Christ when Christ said, "And you know the way where I am going..."
There is something I like about Thomas; if he wants clarity, he asks for it. He's not ashamed to ask for it.
And it is because he asked, for clarity, that Christ explained further, letting them know he is the Way, the truth, and the life. In fact, we have that part of the scripture in the scriptures because Thomas asked for clarity. I guess so
What's my point? Sometimes when life is making us question our faith, asking God to strengthen our faith by manifesting himself is not necessarily a lack of Faith, but a proof that you don't want to deny that your Faith has not been tested.
Don't be ashamed to ask, "God where are you"? When going through tribulation. It is a sign that you believe he exists. Those who don't believe in the existence of God, will not bother to even ask where he is.
So it is faith, although faith, undergoing test, that seeks clarity.
May God help us. Amen
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| Nwaneri Genevieve |
God calls us not only to pray and preach ,but also to serve faithfully where we are needed.
The Hellenist widows were neglected in the daily sharing of food; they complained to the apostles and instead of ignoring them, they listened and acted wisely. They understood that both preaching the word of God and caring for people's physical needs were important and so they asked the community to select seven men to handle the responsibility. The result was peace and increase in the number of disciples.
May the lord help us to identify and listen to the complaints of others around us. Amen.
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| Nathaniel Onwuasoegwu |
My reflection is on the first reading.
The place of food in the ministry of Jesus.
Food is capable of bringing disunity among people of God if not properly managed.
Overtime we have seen this happen in our various groups.
Cmo cwo legion cyon harvest and so on.
Even among the disciples of Jesus it brought a problem.
If not for the wisdom of the apostles the ministry would have been divided along the line of food.
A lot of things can trouble us even though Jesus said let not our hearts be troubled in the gospel.
Stomach infrastructure is key because when a man is hungry he is angry.
Jesus even took time to address food in his ministry.
Little wonder he made his flesh food.
His body becomes eucharistic meal.
If we are able eat the Eucharist in one accord then we can apply it in our everyday food then our hearts will not be troubled even when we challenged we would navigate it.
The Eucharist is our lead.
At the breaking of bread he is recognised.
We need people of good heart to be in charge of the kitchen when are doing anything.
Let us learn to apply the eucharistic meal even in our physical meal
Let love lead.
With love we can always wine and dine together without trouble.
Ave!! Maria!!!
REFLECTION
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| Akiti Momodu Jude |
In ancient building practice, the cornerstone was the most important stone in the structure. It was the stone upon which every other part of the building took reference to for there proper alignment, direction, and stability. If the builders ignored the cornerstone or failed to align their work with it, the entire structure would become crooked, unstable, and ultimately unsafe. In life Christ is our cornerstone, He is the divine standard by which the whole spiritual house of God is measured and built.
As seen in the second reading we believers are builders and living stones in the house of God ( 1 Peter 2:5 ). We have been given the responsibility to build our lives, but we are not free to build according to our own wisdom, preferences, or standards. No, Our lives must take their reference from Christ. Every decision, conviction, desire, and pursuit must be measured reference Him as our model. If we build without reference to Him, then regardless of how beautiful or impressive the structure (our faith and works) appears outwardly, it is not properly aligned and will not stand the test of God.
To align with Christ means to imitate His life and virtues, but most importantly it is knowing and accepting Him into our life, for Who he is. We are called to walk in His obedience to the Father, His holiness, His humility, His love, His compassion, His truth, His unwavering commitment to righteousness and also have faith in Him, knowing he is God. Christ taught us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness ( Matthew 6:33), reminding us that when God’s kingdom becomes our first pursuit, every other legitimate need in our lives finds its proper place.
Christ has the authority to be this standard because He is not merely a teacher among many. He is God revealed in the flesh. When Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, Jesus replied, “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father” and again, “I am in the Father and the Father is in Me” ( John 14:10). In this, Christ affirmed His divinity and His perfect oneness with the Father. Therefore, His teachings are not optional advice. They are the very standard of God Himself. unfortunately some church denominations and there faithful still haven't come to this truth of Jesus Divinity.
As the initiator of the covenant, God alone sets its terms. We are recipients, not negotiators. We do not amend His covenant or redefine His standard. He has established the pattern in Christ, and all who belong to Him must build accordingly. Scripture tells us that Christ is not only the cornerstone but also “a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall” ( 1 Peter 2:8 ). This means that those who reject Him, oppose His will, or refuse His standard will inevitably stumble. Not because God delights in their fall, but because He has ordained that no one who rejects His appointed Cornerstone can stand. Their fall is the natural and just consequence of refusing the foundation God Himself has laid.
Therefore, no matter how morally upright, disciplined, or admirable a life may appear, if it is not built upon faith in Christ and aligned with His truth, it is not truly being built for God. “For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” ( 1 Corinthians 3:11 ). Without Christ, the structure may impress men, but it will not endure before God.
This is why in engaging a world full of moral systems, philosophies, and religions that teach virtue apart from Christ, we must remember that morality itself is not the cornerstone. Christ is. Virtue without Christ may produce outward order, but it cannot produce covenantal righteousness before God.
Let us therefore build carefully, for Christ is both the Cornerstone upon whom we build and the Judge before whom every structure will be tested.
May our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, our Divine Cornerstone, grant us the grace to build our lives wholly upon You. Align our hearts with this truth, our minds with Your wisdom, and our actions with Your holy will. This we pray through Christ our Lord, Amen.🙏
Shalom.. 👋
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| Comfort Mary Edewor |
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people....."
Each time I meditate on this scripture, my conclusion is that most Christians do not know their identity in Christ, because they would never while claiming to be Christians get involved in the despicable activities that are seen as normal in the secular world. God has set us apart for himself, therefore we are no longer to behave like everyone else and can no longer live according to the standards of the world. Through us, the world should see the marvel and wonders of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ Jesus is "the stone which the builders rejected that has become the cornerstone" Those who believe in him will not stumble because his light will always illuminate their paths since all that they do is in alignment with his words. Those who refuse to believe in him will continue to stumble because instead of the light of Christ, they grope in the darkness which they have chosen. We pray for enabling graces to help us remain citizens of this holy nation for whom the promises of God are sure.
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| Augustine Asuquo Udofa |
It is to be noted that no Christian Community is immune from internal complaints and disputes. Secondly that complaint in Christian Community is as old as Christianity itself. There's no human organization that there will be no complaints and internal disputes. Though the Scripture is silent as to whether the complaint was genuine or not, the handling of the matter by the Apostles is worth reflecting upon. How do we handle complaints and disputes in our various groups? If it were in our time we would most likely handle the problem with tribal sentiment.
The Apostles could have hand picked the deacons from the different tribes of the people at the time but no, they delegated the selection of the deacons to the people (disciples) themselves including the Hellenists - the Complainants. Of course they were all satisfied with proposals. However, the Apostles gave the criteria on which the selection must be made. The qualifications of the candidates were clearly stated by the Apostles - one who is of good repute, filled with the Holy Spirit and of wisdom. These criteria brothers and sisters were devoid of tribe - "my brother", "my sister", "my town man", "my town woman". The very excellent way of handling the complaints by the Apostles created a very good atmosphere whereby no aspect of the work of God suffered. Neither the preaching and the prayer nor the daily distributions. And so the word of God spread to all nooks and corners and finally to us here.
Let us always pray for the power of the Holy Spirit whenever we find ourselves in a position of taking a decision that affects the life of members in any organization because no bad decisions ever aid the progress of any group. May God help us. Amen
May the Lord bless His words in our hearts amen
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