PRAYER: “O GOD, RESTORER AND LOVER OF INNOCENCE, DIRECT THE HEARTS OF YOUR SERVANTS TOWARDS YOURSELF, THAT THOSE YOU HAVE SET FREE FROM THE DARKNESS OF UNBELIEF MAY NEVER STRAY FROM THE LIGHT OF YOUR TRUTH. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Acts 15:1-6; Ps 121:1-5 and Jn 15:1-8.
Today’s passage from the Acts of the Apostles tells us how Paul and Barnabas have been successful in preaching to the Gentiles. But some believers who came down from Judea to Antioch insist that everyone must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic law to be true disciples. In the passage from the Gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples that he is the vine, his Father is the vine grower and the disciples (all of us), are the vine branches. He expects his disciples (all of us for that matter) to be the vine branches to “bear much fruit and become my disciples”. In other words, Jesus expects us to believe in his teachings and follow his way. He expects us to put our faith into action and produce good works for God and humankind.
Indeed, a true mark or sign or characteristic of Christianity is to believe in the teachings of Jesus and follow the way he has shown us, that is, living and putting Jesus’ teachings into practice. This is what St. James refers to as ‘Faith and Good Works’. Jesus also refers to a person in this category as ‘One who hears my words and does my Father’s will’. Hosea in his teaching also refers to this as: ‘I desire mercy, love and faith rather than sacrifice and burnt offerings’ (Cf. Hosea 6:6).
True, it is not the externals that matter in the sight of God but the internals. Our outward shows are not what God wants from us especially if these external shows are not in conformity with our inner dispositions. However, this was what these people who came down from Judea were insisting, that the Gentile converts must be circumcised, an external or physical sign or mark that they are believers and they are saved. This is ‘Phariseeism’ and hypocritical. It is not the question of following or observing rules and regulations that make one a productive and active believer/Christian or that brings salvation to one. This is a ‘holier than thou’ attitude.
There are so many people who go to Church or to their places of worship, do or follow all that is expected of them as church-goers or participants at worship, but deep down within them, their hearts are not there and they do not believe in what they are doing. A few days ago, I heard on the air that some young men go to Church these days to admire some indecent dressings that some ladies put on as their Church attire. Therefore, some Churches are coming out with prescribed church attire for their members. So, you can imagine the reason why some young men go to Church or places of worship these days. Other people have their reasons for going to Church or for doing all that is required by the Church’s law, other than coming to Church to believe in the Lord, listen to the Word of God, receive the Sacraments and be saved, and when saved, one can live as such and bear fruit in one’s life.
Ours may not be physical circumcision that we must undergo or force others to undergo as a sign that they are believers and therefore are saved, but we have our own ‘circumcisions’ that some of us scrupulously have been going through and sometimes we think that everyone must go through that to be saved. They include: strict observance of the Church’s laws and rules like attendance at Church every Sunday or every day, payment of Church dues, sometimes in advance, regular payment of tithes, constant offerings/offertory, constant reception of the Sacraments, regular attendance at prayer meetings, etc. These practices are good. However, if they are not in conformity with or if they do not have any bearing on our inner dispositions, they are useless. Some people can observe all the above simply for an ulterior/hidden evil motive without believing in the teachings of Jesus let alone putting that into practice. Let us pray to become true vine branches of Jesus the True Vine, so that we can bear much fruit as a sign that we believe and remain in his word/teachings and follow his way Stay blessed.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, WEDNESDAY, ON THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES: ‘THE RESURRECTION, THE ASCENSION, THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE ASSUMPTION, AND THE CORONATION’. (WE PRAY FOR FAITH, HOPE, LOVE OF GOD, GRACE OF A HAPPY DEATH AND TRUST IN MARY’S INTERCESSION) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “HEAR, O LORD, OUR PRAYERS, THAT THIS MOST HOLY EXCHANGE, BY WHICH YOU HAVE REDEEMED US, MAY BRING YOUR HELP IN THIS PRESENT LIFE AND ENSURE FOR US ETERNAL GLADNESS. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com
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