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:

1. How should I react to the experience?
2. 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.

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!