Jesus is Alive

Details: Written by: Rev. Fr. Paul Gaa; Category: Reflections by Rev. Fr. Paul Gaa; Last Updated: 07 April 2024; Hits: 454

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Friday, May 18, 2018

TODAY'S REFLECTION - FRIDAY, 7TH WEEK OF EASTER
St. John I, Pope Martyr
Acts 25:13b-21/ Psalm 102:1-2,11-12,19-20/John 21:15-19

JESUS IS ALIVE
Beloved, after the dispute between the Pharisees and the Sadducees in our yesterday's first reading during St. Paul's trial, he continues to stand before other secular kings such as: Felix, Festus and Agrippa I. They handled Paul's case, but they could not find anything against him. What was Paul's "crime"? "A dead man called Jesus whom Paul alleged/claimed to be alive" (Acts 25:19). Jesus' resurrection is not a claim. Jesus is really alive. That is the core of the Christian faith. If we don't express our faith in the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, what else should a Christian believe in?

Friends, St. Peter denied Jesus three times before cockcrow, even though he regretted later. In our today's Gospel reading, Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love me more than these? Peter was upset for having been asked the third time, "do you love me?" Jesus told Peter: "Feed my lambs", " Look after my sheep"," Feed my sheep ". If we truly love God/Jesus, we will look after his own (flock). The mandate of every leader is to feed his/her followers. Their general welfare should be paramount. Spiritual leaders are to ensure the Spiritual nourishment of their faithful. For any healthy Spiritual growth, we need a "spiritual balanced diet", namely, the Word of God, the Sacraments, true/solid doctrine and a more cordial pastoral charity/care.

Jesus and St. Paul were dragged to courts; because of their love for God and the truth they stood for. We should also be psychologically prepared to suffer the same fate.

Because of the love of God and neighbour, a brothers/sisters, parents/wards, husbands/wives and friends may drag us to places against our will. We should be prepared to say, do or go through certain experiences because of others. To allow ourselves to be summoned, dragged around, tossed about as Christians, we need true love, faith, humility, self-sacrifice, etc. Let us pray for the grace to continue to express our faith in the resurrection. We also pray for the grace to feed Christ's faithful with the necessary nourishment. BE BLESSED.

Fr. Gaa (0206854323/0240308878) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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