GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 2ND MAY 2017
TUESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF EASTERTIDE
FIRST READING: Acts 7:51-8:1
PSALM: Psalm 31:3-4, 6-8, 17, 21
GOSPEL: John 6:30-35
THEME: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST
Christianity is not all about singing, dancing and praying, important though these things are. A core value of Christianity is character building. A true disciple is one who follows the master closely and in the process becomes like the master. The call to become Christian is a call to become Christ-like.
In the person of Stephen, we have an example of a Christian with a formidable Christ-like character. He walked in the footsteps of Jesus both in life and death. He is described as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit; he was filled with grace and power and worked miracles and great signs among the people (cf. Acts 5:5,8). He was a man of truth, who dared to speak the truth even in the face of death.
In our First Reading, as Stephen was being stoned to death for upholding the values of the Christian faith, he prayed the very prayer Jesus prayed on the cross: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” – It was a prayer of forgiveness. Even in death, Stephen had the character of Christ.
Often, many of us lose our Christ-like character when people start throwing stones at us. The stones may come in the form of betrayal, character assassination, insult, deception etc. In life, we will surely have people abusing us in various ways. In such moments, when stones are hurled at us, we can choose to call down fire on those who abuse us or like Stephen continue to uphold our godly character.
When all is said and done, character is the only thing we take with us into eternity when we die. This is why it is of utmost importance that we never lose the character of Christ in us even in the face of provocation.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I forgive all those who have hurt me in one way or the other. I pardon them all and I plead with you to forgive them. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).