It is 19th April 2021.
The readings are from Acts 6:8-15; and the Gospel from John 6:22-29.
If they cannot win you, they will surely bin you.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[a] on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt.5:11,12).
That is what happened to St. Stephen, the first martyr for the growing Church and still happening the preachers, teachers and all those who take a stand for truth, justice, peace, and God.
It irritates the conscience of the other when they cannot offer a counter-living to those who challenge the existence of evil ways of living. We must not be the first person to give a counterargument rather counter-witnessing life like that of St. Stephen. The Church can re-root its Gospel values through the fertile and faithful living of the believers like you and me. After all, these values of the Kingdom of God are the food for our souls. Whenever our faith is challenged by others and the cruel life events, we need to prove it through our tokens of love, gratitude, forgiveness, and mercy towards ourselves and to the other.
The responsorial Psalm praises, “Blessed are those who walk I the law of the Lord.” (Ps.119:1).
If our seeking for Christ is not for eternal life, our quest would remain selfish, self-centred, and self-obsessed. No one can put us in to Hell except God. Therefore, there is no need to fear any human power when we are faithful and sincere to God. It is by our charitable endeavours to the humanity, and human family around, we are satisfied with bread of eternal life, who is Jesus. Even if itches the life of the other, we need to stand up for truth and charity consistently. The responses of the other cannot be allowed in our life to switch over or switch off the intended good that God is looking from each one of us. We have not done enough good to please God still. Let us give a chance today. Have a lovely day. God bless you.