May 4, Wednesday, the Third Week of Easter
Daily Readings: Acts 8:1b-8; Gospel John 6:35-40
Christ urges us to listen to him, believe in him, and follow his teachings. Real, complete, and eternal happiness can only be found in Jesus.
The disciples' commitment to proclaim Christ endures despite the threat of persecution. Their strong belief in Jesus empowers this. St. Paul says, "For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. Everything is for Jesus.”
Philip, urged by his strong faith in Jesus, appeared to the public and proclaimed Christ. The crowd who listened to his words and witnessed the signs being performed was overwhelmed by great joy. The possessed were liberated, and the paralyzed and crippled were cured. Philip brings Jesus to these people, and Christ shows his saving action before the sad realities of his people.
This is the fulfillment of what Christ himself tells us in the Gospel reading: "I will not reject anyone who comes to me." Those who listened to the words of God preached by Philip found their salvation. Salvation is offered to all.
The people of Samaria, as recorded in the first reading, through the experience of miracles performed by Philip, have foretasted the salvation brought by Christ before they experience the fullness of the joy of eternal life in the Kingdom of heaven. This is the concern of Christ, and it becomes the concern of his disciples too.
Christ’s concern for salvation is so intense. He uses all means to win salvation for us. The words and deeds were insufficient, so he sacrificed himself on the cross. His disciples followed the same commitment.
Some of us may bear the same suffering as Christ to convince our loved ones to return to the right path. In his suffering, Jesus has shown his solidarity with us.
We may have found happiness in material things, talents, family, friendship, and so on, but Jesus reminds us that the real, true, full, and eternal happiness can only be found in him in eternal life. So, listen to him! Christ invites us to listen to him, have faith in him, and act according to his teachings.
What are our responses? If Jesus and his followers, and so our loved ones, have sacrificed themselves to bring salvation for us, what are our answers? Have we fought enough for our salvation?
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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