Fifth Sunday of Easter

Reflection on Scripture

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we are told how Saul came to see Jesus face to face and Saul abandoned his persecution of the Christians and became an ardent follower of the Lord. However, the Apostles were fearful of him and did not accept him until he had proclaimed before the Jewish authorities that Jesus is Lord and Savior.

Jesus does not only call perfect people to do His work. He often calls the greatest of sinners because He turns their passion to sin into a passion to bring the Good News to all people.

Even within the Apostles, St. John was probably the most pious of the Apostles and yet, Jesus selected Peter to lead His church and build up the body of Christ. Peter was opinionated, stubborn, and passionate for all the right reasons. God used the gifts He had given Peter to lead His people home.

Today, we are reminded that all people are called by God to proclaim and live the good News. Some are called in an extraordinary way, like St. Paul, and other are called more subtly into His presence. Each of us are given gifts and talents that are to freely be put to use for the buildup of the Body of Christ. Unless we answer God’s calling, we cannot be one with Him and one with each other.

Everything begins with piety. We recognize who God is and we recognize ourselves in that same process. Once we are convinced that we are nothing and we can do nothing without the grace of the Holy Spirit, only then can our life truly begin. Today, we need to stop relying on ourselves and trust in Jesus so, we too can bear much fruit.

If we wither and fade on the vine, we have not accomplished all that God has called us to. It is equivalent to saying we are Christian, and then living a non-Christian life. Nothing we can ever do is enough for the reward of salvation. Salvation is a gift freely given from God.

Today, let us ask for the grace to be the living expression of God’s love and salvation and all that we think, all that we say, and all that we do, give glory to God the Father.

Deacon Phil