By Praveen Bandula, CSC –
Readings: Acts 14: 19-28; Jn 14: 27-31
A call to be a Christian is a blessing; it is a call to live the life of Christ. In order to be a good Christian or follower of Christ everyone should be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. After resurrection Jesus assured the apostles that he will send an advocate who would speak for them. If we recollect the life of Christ, it was not easy to follow him without renouncing the gratifications of the world.
The teachings of Christ are demanding us to be a person who leaves everything behind. The spirit prompts us to be truthful, loving and peace-makers. In the process we will face both ups and downs because the world wants us to speak what is pleasing to it. If we reflect upon the lives of the prophets, apostles or saints they were persecuted by the rulers or people because they proclaimed the truth.
Today we read in the first reading that St. Paul says “it is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus told us to ‘enter through the narrow gate’. Here the narrow gate is Jesus himself because he said ‘I am the way, no one can enter into the kingdom of God except through me.’ Let us remember that Jesus was crucified because he stood for the truth and he is the truth. What is truth? Truth is nothing but ‘Jesus is the Messiah the son of God, the savior of the world.’ When we go with this good news some will receive, and some may reject us. The rejection may turn into persecution but ‘do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid’.