4th Sunday of EasterYear B - 22/4/2018 - Gospel: Jn 10:11-18
Glorifying God
When Jesus called the apostles to follow they followed Jesus and yet the purpose of following was not clear. One day Peter said to Jesus that they had left everything to follow and what would they get? Mk 1,28. Jesus told them they would receive abundance and plus persecution. The gospel of Matthew indicates that it would happen 'when all is made new' in Jesus Mt 19,27. These things would make no sense to them at the time but after the resurrection of Jesus they came to realize what Jesus had said. In a spiritual sense the apostles became the new creation in the Risen Christ. Being filled with the Holy Spirit Peter boldly embarked on the mission and the first fruit of his mission was to give a command for the cripple from birth to walk. They all went into the temple to praise God Acts 3,1-10. The captain of the Temple and the Sadducees were furious at it and arrested them.
Peter gave the addressed:
'If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple, and asking us how he was healed, then I am glad to tell you all and would indeed be glad to tell the whole people of Israel, that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the one you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy, here in your presence Acts 4, 9-11.
Peter now had only one single purpose in life. There was no more confusion or uncertainty as before, but one single which was clear and achievable and that was to give glory to God. It was whether he lived or died to give glory for Jesus. Being challenged by the Temple authority for doing a good act, Peter made clear to them that it was in the name of Jesus the One whom they crucified and in no other name but Jesus alone deserved all glory. Peter claimed no praises, no fame, no credit for himself but all for the Lord. Peter also made clear to the whole people that the Risen Lord had the power to heal our physical body but more importantly that he saved our souls and that he alone has such power because he has forever defeated dead. Death had no more power over him but instead Jesus had power over death and death was submitted to Him. Peter also affirmed that apart from Jesus there is no salvation.
'There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.'
Peter also mentioned to the leaders that you once, by following your arrogant attitude and human wisdom, had rejected Jesus- the stone rejected by you- The Risen Christ Who in his mercy gives you a second chance, be humble and come to your senses, to welcome the Risen Christ in your lives and give the praise and glory to God and be a member of God's family.
For Peter and other apostles the goal is clear - live to give glory to God- and the mission field is plenty. They had been renewed in the Risen Christ and bear in mind that persecution is ahead of them but fear not because glorification comes after persecution, not before.
We ask God to renew us in the Risen Christ
Peter gave the addressed:
'If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple, and asking us how he was healed, then I am glad to tell you all and would indeed be glad to tell the whole people of Israel, that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the one you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy, here in your presence Acts 4, 9-11.
Peter now had only one single purpose in life. There was no more confusion or uncertainty as before, but one single which was clear and achievable and that was to give glory to God. It was whether he lived or died to give glory for Jesus. Being challenged by the Temple authority for doing a good act, Peter made clear to them that it was in the name of Jesus the One whom they crucified and in no other name but Jesus alone deserved all glory. Peter claimed no praises, no fame, no credit for himself but all for the Lord. Peter also made clear to the whole people that the Risen Lord had the power to heal our physical body but more importantly that he saved our souls and that he alone has such power because he has forever defeated dead. Death had no more power over him but instead Jesus had power over death and death was submitted to Him. Peter also affirmed that apart from Jesus there is no salvation.
'There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.'
Peter also mentioned to the leaders that you once, by following your arrogant attitude and human wisdom, had rejected Jesus- the stone rejected by you- The Risen Christ Who in his mercy gives you a second chance, be humble and come to your senses, to welcome the Risen Christ in your lives and give the praise and glory to God and be a member of God's family.
For Peter and other apostles the goal is clear - live to give glory to God- and the mission field is plenty. They had been renewed in the Risen Christ and bear in mind that persecution is ahead of them but fear not because glorification comes after persecution, not before.
We ask God to renew us in the Risen Christ
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
