DAILY CHEWING STICK FOR FRIDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF EASTER 13TH APRIL 2018(Acts 5:34-42 ; John 6:1-15)
By REV. FR. FRANCIS ONUGHA
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
JESUS I love You, All I have is Yours, Yours I am, Yours I want to be, Do with me whatever You will. Good Morning and Remain Blessed today and Forever. Amen.
Dearly Beloved in Christ, I have said before that THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING GOOD IN THE WORST OF US, AND SOMETHING WORST IN THE GOOD OF US.
Today, we see something GOOD in the WORST of the SANHENDRIN. I'm sure you have been following the FIRST READINGS since after Easter Sunday from the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, and seen how the SANHENDRINS have frustrated, humiliated, imprisoned, warned, flogged, the Apostles. This is something WORST of them. But today, the INTERVENTION/ADVICE OF GAMALIEL in the first reading is something GOOD and has so many LESSONS for us. He said:
_If this movement of the Apostles is of HUMAN ORIGIN, it will break up of its own accord; but if it does in fact COMES FROM GOD you will not only be unable to destroy them, but you might find yourselves FIGHTING AGAINST GOD.
A Brother Priest reminded me of a funny incident that happened back then at Bodija seminary on the popular song of Lucky Dube “Nobody Can Stop Reggae.” And in response by a PRIEST FORMATOR to the reggae culture gaining popularity then, said truly nobody can stop reggae but the people playing reggae can be stopped.
Brethren, the above reminds us that there are things that are within our control and there are other things that are beyond our control. For instance, we can switch on and off the lights but we cannot switch on or off the sunlight. We can turn the tap for the water to flow or stop, but we cannot turn the skies on for rain or to stop it.
Another example can be what is called ACTS OF MAN(unintentional action of blinking of the eyes, sneezing, etc that you can't control) & HUMAN ACTS(willful & deliberate action). A good example of that is POLLUTING THE AIR(what some people call "Mess"), it can be controlled. When it is coming, you can respectfully and out of courtesy excuse yourself and go out to enjoy it all alone. But if you want to punish those around you, you simply use elevation method of raising your leg up slightly, control and suppress the sound and then release it like a Gas. But if you want to create a scene and make fun, you can let it sound like atomic bomb. The point is, YOU CAN CONTROL IT.
This reminds me of that beautiful Prayer:
O Lord, grant me the SERENITY to accept the things I cannot CHANGE; the COURAGE to CHANGR the things I can; and the WISDOM to know the DIFFERENCE.
The SANHENDRIN tried to stop the apostles from preaching about Jesus. They wanted to stop both reggae and the people singing it. Nothing and nobody has been able to stop the gospel till this day. And that GOSPEL is the CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Finally Dear Friends, HOW MUCH RESPECT DO YOU COMMAND IN YOUR HOME, PLACE OF WORK, SCHOOL, CHURCH, IN YOUR MEETING/ORGANIZATION, ETC? GAMALIEL was respected by all, not simply because he was a TEACHER, but because HE WAS A WISE MAN, who spoke when he had something to say and who said something meaningful.
HOW ABOUT US? Do we always want to stand up in gatherings and talk so that our voices can be heard? Or you want people to know how much of English you can speak? Do speak because you want everyone to take your opinion simply because of your status?
GAMALIEL reminded all that IF GOD IS THE ORIGIN OF ANY VENTURE, your enemies are fighting a lost battle.
WHAT KIND OF ADVICE DO YOU GIVE WHEN YOU HAVE TO SPEAK?
Peace be with you!
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