The Sixth Sunday of Easter . . . Alone - Only By Choice
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Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 14th, 2023 (Click Here for Readings)
Today’s reading from Acts shows a major change happening in the Church’s growth beyond Jerusalem, The Samaritans at the time were looked upon as heretics and were forbidden to be preached to by the Jews. Conversely, the Samaritans were also reluctant to believe what the Jews preached.
It took Phillip’s miracles of healing for the Samaritans to observe and give heed to his words. Though Phillip opened the door to converting the Samaritans, it required Peter and John to travel to Samaria and baptize them in the Holy Spirit, considered to be the Samaritan’s Pentecost.
The Jews were shocked to see them being baptized. They just couldn’t imagine the Spirit of God working in them. But eventually, the tensions between the Jews and Samaritans over hundreds of years began to subside.
The Lesson for Us . . .
When we’re alongside others with differing behaviors and beliefs, do we consider ourselves spiritually better? If so, let us remind ourselves of the Jews’ original attitudes toward the Samaritans. When we shun or write someone off, we are pitting our own self-believed truths of the spirit against their truths. There are no self-made truths of the spirit. There is only one truth; God’s truth.
To those we confront who have no spirit or belief in our faith, St. Peter tells us in our second reading to stand by our faith and always be ready to give explanations for it. And when we can’t, know that the Advocate that Jesus refers to will be there to help us.
One effective way to convert non-believers is to shame them with our love and gentleness; to awaken them to the fact that our way, or Christ's way, is the only true way to live our lives. We must have the courage to attract their attention, and justify our faith and enthusiasm for Christ without fear of their reactions.
If we’re not accepted right away, it’s better that we suffer by the rejection and abuse we may get. If Christ was not exempted for his suffering, why should we be? We are called to suffer as he did, at least a little bit.
We Are Never Alone
Though we will be tested, we must always know that we'll never be alone in times of contention with others. God will always be there for our defense.
St. John tells us in today’s Gospel that Jesus will not leave us orphans. We will never be alone. Even as Peter denied Jesus, he was not abandoned by him. And regardless of how we may abandon or overlook Jesus from time to time, he will not abandon us.
Whenever we’re unsure of any challenge, we’re alone only when we choose to be. It’s easy to become an orphan when we stop praying, lose our faith and isolate ourselves by our own will.
We must also remind others that they are not alone and that when we love Jesus, he will bless us to no end. He is the way, and with him we will never be lost.
For more reflections on the Sunday readings, Go Here
