THE BLESSINGS OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION-HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER (11TH OF MAY 2022)

THE BLESSINGS OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION

Acts 11:19-26, Jn 10:22-30

The reading of today is a continuation of the reading of yesterday from the Acts of the apostle's chapter 11. Today we are told that those who were scattered because of the persecution upon the church in Jerusalem, of which Stephen was martyred transited far into the Gentile region of Antioch, Cyprus and Phoenicia. There, some men of Cyprus and Cyrene on coming to Antioch preached the word of God to the Hellenists; consequently, in Acts 11: 24, it is recorded that “many were brought to the Lord”. Antioch, therefore, became the first Gentile Christian community which, eventually in an outstanding description became the starting point of the mission to the Gentiles. 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, the persecution that was meant to debase, devalue, demean, obliterate and diminish the early Christian community ended up becoming an avenue through which the missionary activity of the church grew; what they were trying to quench and suffocate they ended up flaring into flames so much so that their exemplary lives in Antioch earned them the name Christians.  Friends in Christ, in all honesty, “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God” (1cor13:19); and “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” ( Isaiah 55:9). Persecution did not deter the early Christian community from remaining focused on the Gospel, even as they ran for their dear lives they took alongside them the person of the risen Christ where ever they camped.

Beloved in Christ, no matter the disappointments, setbacks, obstacles, misfortunes, tragedies, anxieties and all whatnot you may be passing in life do not set God aside. Your judgment of your situation is limited but God is all-knowing, your yesterday, today and tomorrow all lie bare before him. Nothing happens to you without his awareness. Remain focused on him alone, remain focused on the voice of the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:27), anchor your confidence on him and everything will continue to fall into line in pleasant places.

I pray for you this day as you begin your day's activities that the Good Shepherd our Lord Jesus Christ, who knows his sheep (Jn 10:27), knows our difficulties, dangers, and struggles may continue to guarantee our security against the darts of the evil one. For he says “ and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hands” (Jn 10:28).

May God keep you safe in his sacred heart

Fr Remigius Okafor osj