5th Sunday of Easter Year A

Acts 6:1-7
1 Peter 2:4-9
John 14:1-12

How do we treat others who are different from us? How do we treat the seemingly menial work that we are sometimes called to do?

Sometimes in our life, a seemingly minor day-to-day incident can trigger deep reflection. This is the case with an episode in the early Christian community that we read in the First Reading this week. At that time, due to the earlier exploits of Alexander the Great, there were many Jews who have adopted the Greek culture. They are called Hellenists. In the First Reading, a case of discrimination against the Hellenists were reported to the Apostle, creating an administrative issue: “the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.” (verse 1) There are two points of reflection we can draw from this incident.

Firstly, even though the Hellenists were Jews, they were discriminated just because they adopted the Greek culture. So we ask ourselves: Do I discriminate against others just because they are different from me? Just as we saw discrimination in the early Jewish community, we see discrimination too in our Christian community, where we claim to be brothers and sisters in Christ. Have I discriminated against those who are of a different culture, different social status, different religion, different country of origin, etc.? For those of us who have fallen into this temptation, let us remember, Jesus was Himself discriminated by the religious authorities of His time, because he was different from the other rabbis. Quoting Psalm 118:22, St Peter said in the Second Reading: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner” (verse 7) Indeed, we must never judge a book by its cover, for we are all children of God, each created with dignity. St Paul reminded us, “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28)

The second point of reflection is: What is the primary role of the clergy? Is the role of a clergy primarily in spreading the Gospel message or in administration of the faith community? In the First Reading, upon receiving the complaint, the Apostles recognised that their paramount duty is in spreading the Gospel. They said, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables.” (verse 2) However, in upholding justice and compassion, the need of the Hellenist widows must not be neglected. Hence, in order for the Apostles not to neglect their primary duty, they delegated: “Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task” (verse 3). In a large faith community, it is tempting for priests or pasters to attend to all the daily administrative matters, so much so that they neglect the primary mission they are called to. Especially in a large community, delegation is essential. But delegation must be done with proper discernment. Notice that in delegating, the Apostles selected people who are “full of the Spirit and of wisdom”. For without the right spiritual disposition, it is tempting for those vested with authority to become proud, attention-seeking or even power-hungry. In the process, their self-serving attitude will cause divisions; even becoming counter-productive to the tasks they are delegated with – whether it is attending to the needy, running of church programs, or administration of the church.

The truth is, those of us called to the tasks of pastoral and administrative duties are just as important as those who are called to spread the Gospel. We are the two oars of the boat, which is the church. It is only when the two oars paddle in the same direction that our Church can grow and flourish. In the Second Reading, St Peter reminded us, “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people” (verse 9). Indeed, clergy or lay, we are all part of the “royal priesthood”. In Catholic teachings, clergies are the ordained priesthood while lay people are the common priesthood (CCC 1546-1547). We all have a role to lead people to Jesus. But some of us may ask, as Thomas did in the Gospel, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (verse 5) To which Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (verse 6) Thus, in all work that we do and all roles that we assume, we must show the people the way to Jesus. In the Gospel, Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” (verse 8) “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (verse 9) We must always remind ourselves, whether clergy or lay, whatever we are called to do, we are part of the team of workers in the Lord’s vineyard. As St Peter told us in the Second Reading, “let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (verse 5)

For those of us who at times lose sight of our calling, and engage in self-serving agendas, we are in fact disobeying the word of God, as St Peter cautioned, “They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.” (verse 8) Let us be inspired by the work of the Apostles and those they have chosen in the First Reading. We read that because the Apostles have acted wisely, “The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” (verse 7) Alleluia!