6th Sunday of Easter Year A
Acts 8:5-8,14-17
1 Peter 3:15-18
John 14:15-21
When bad things happen to me.
Why do bad things happen? This is a question many believers struggle with. It is especially difficult when bad things happen to good people. Indeed, this question is so difficult that many believers left the faith because of it. And it is often used by non-believers to debunk the very existence of God. In truth, on this topic, there are many layers in-depth reflection we can contemplate on. This week, the Scripture invites to reflect on one aspect of this question that is perhaps most personal and pertinent to us, that is, how do I react when bad thing happens to me? What is Jesus’ teaching on this? This week, the Scripture invites us to reflect on this question at two levels:
- How should I react to the experience?
- Where is the experience leading me to?
Often, when we are unjustly treated, the first instinct of our human nature is to take revenge. But often, such reaction would only sow the seeds of mutual resentment further. Indeed, such reaction is the way of the devil. Instead, as St Peter counselled in the Second Reading, “Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.” (verse 16) In other words, as followers of Jesus, we must remain righteous and honourable. Never take justice upon our own hands. But let God deliver His justice in His own manner and timing.
We know that St Peter is not speaking in a moral vacuum when he imparted this teaching. Most likely, he was drawing from the example of Jesus Himself. For Peter himself was once rash and vengeful. We recall what happened when the chief priests arrested Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear.” (Jn 18:10) Jesus’ immediate reaction was to say to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?” (Jn 18:11) And in other accounts, the Lord said, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Mt 26:53) And, as a powerful sign that He is a man of peace, Jesus “touched his ear and healed him.” (Lk 22:51) As followers of Jesus, we are called to follow Jesus’ example, that is, to adopt the attitude of peace rather than vengefulness. This was precisely what Jesus meant when He taught in the Sermon on the Mount, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). And indeed, “if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?” (Mt 5:46)
Why do bad things happen to good people? Or, to rephrase it in a way that is more aligned to the mysterious ways of God, let us ask: Why do seemingly bad things happen to seemingly good people? Firstly, we say “seemingly good people” because none of us are perfectly righteous. We cannot judge ourselves – or indeed others – to be good as we are limited beings. We are limited in our understanding, the way we act and the things we know. Only God is the perfect judge. Secondly, we say “seemingly bad things” because things are bad only because we judge them to be bad in our limited and immediate human perception. The account we read in the First Reading is a case in point. After St Stephen was martyred in Jerusalem, “a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.” (Acts 8:1). As a result of the persecution in Jerusalem, we read in the First Reading this week, “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.” (verse 5) Out of this seemingly bad encounter of martyrdom and persecution, God’s holy will was revealed. We read how in Samaria, a region whose the residents were considered by orthodox Jews to be outcast, “The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralysed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.” (verse 6-8) Hence, through the persecution in Jerusalem, God drew St Philip to a region where he converted an outcast people. Indeed, God works in mysterious ways. Reading this account, we can’t help but remember what God said to us through the prophet Isaiah, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8-9)
Hence, my brothers and sisters, whenever seemingly bad things happen to us, it is often an invitation from God for us to reflect: Through this uncomfortable event, where are you leading me to, God? And wherever God might lead us, let us heed the advice of St Peter in the Second Reading, “in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you” (verse 15). This is especially the case when the Lord leads into the unknown, out of our comfort zone and into unfamiliar territories, as was the case of St Philip. Under such circumstances, it is especially important that we stay firmly anchored onto Jesus.
This week, God invites us to reflect deeply on the seemingly misfortunates of our lives. This is not easy. But as His grace would direct us, He invites to adopt the way of peace even when we are unjustly treated. Jesus invites us to follow Him to where He wants to lead us, even if we find ourselves in unfamiliar territories. And whatever challenges that may confront us, we are asked to always remain anchored on Jesus. Indeed, my dear friends, this is how we find joy, even in the most adversarial of circumstances. The actions that Jesus is prompting us to take are actions of love – love of God and love of neighbours. It is easy to give lip services, to say that we love God. But it is in the trials of life that we really show that we love Jesus and the world. As Jesus said in the Gospel this week, “They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” (verse 21)
But actions of obedience and love often seem to be beyond us! How can we even do these? As human, we are fallen beings and are limited in our ability to love as Jesus does. This is why we need help – we need the help of the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity. This is why Jesus promises us in the Gospel this week: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.” (verse 16-17) In truth, by our own strength, we cannot live up Jesus’ calling. But only with God’s grace, revealed and imbued in us by the Holy Spirit, that we may become true faithful followers of Jesus.
May the Holy Spirit walk with us. Amen.