Friday 30^th May – Friday of the 6th week of Easter

Reflection: Acts 18: 9-18

DO NOT BE AFRAID

Atheists have always had two things to ponder on with respect to their disbelief of God: Fear and Immortality! If there is no God and indeed man is the source and summit of himself, then, why do men fear, what are they afraid of and why do they die? The fact that we both fear and die is a pointer to the truth that we are not an end to ourselves and there is something greater than man.

In some sorts, we all have a bit of atheism in us when we doubt God or refuse to trust him enough, but allow fear to rule us. For the knowledge of God casts out fear. This is what God is saying to Paul today and indeed to all of us: do not be afraid! However, Jesus does not delude us to the basic reality of life, to the fate of man on earth, but told the Apostle the truth: You will weep and mourn, you will grieve”, but he comforts them even more when he said, “you will rejoice, and your joy, no one can take away…” (John 16: 20,22)

Like Paul, most of us may be in a state of transition; (for Paul it was turning from persecutor to preacher), for us it might be as little as changing from one academic level to the other, transiting from student to graduate, from graduate to worker, or even some more weightier matters like getting married or starting a lifelong commitment; the words of God is still the same……..do not be afraid! Yes, there will be challenges, there will be persecutions, but in the end, you will rejoice, and your joy, none shall take away.

PRAYER: Lord, the shepherd of your people, guide and guard us in our life’s pilgrimage, keeping us always safe in your arms from the wiles of the evil one, Amen

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 476 – How did Jesus pray as he was facing his death?

When face to face with death, Jesus experienced the utmost depths of human fear. Yet he found the strength even in that hour to trust his heavenly Father: “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; remove this chalice from me; yet not what I will, but what you will [be done]”

HIDE A TREASURE: “The knowledge of the kingdom of God has being given to you, but to the rest it comes by means of parables, so that they may look but not see, and listen but not understand” Luke 8: 10GNB

Readings for today: Acts 18: 9-18; Psalm 47: 2-7; John 16: 20-23