Dear Parishioners,
Last Sunday, the First Reading and the Gospel presented the sad and fearful opposition and conflict that often surround the life of a prophet or a disciple of the Gospel. The worry and anxiety that the prophet Jeremiah faced were traumatic and real. His experiences remind us that those who love God and do His will are not exempt from the frustrations and anguish that can accompany ministry.
This Sunday, the First Reading presents a classic example of the blessings that come when a prophet, disciple, or minister of the Gospel is warmly received. The encounter between the prophet Elisha and the Shunammite woman illustrates this beautifully. Elisha, the successor of the prophet Elijah, whose ministry focused primarily on the northern kingdom of Israel, not only confronted kings as his predecessor did but was also known as a wonder-worker. In the Gospel, Jesus’ miracles and healings are reminiscent of those of Elisha, whose ministry also began at the Jordan River following Elijah’s departure into heaven.
Jesus’ miracles would have resonated with His audience, who likely recalled the miracles attributed to the prophet Elisha. Anyone who welcomes the Gospel message discovers the unsurpassable value of following Jesus. This call does not diminish our love for family; rather, devotion to Christ strengthens and enriches our love for family, neighbors, and society as a whole. As Christians, we are not separate from society but are an integral part of it, called to transform it through the love that flows from faith in Jesus Christ. As Saint Paul reminds us, “The love of Christ urges us on.”
To be baptized into Christ implies sharing in His death dying to sin and rising to new life. Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so too are we called to walk in the newness of life. Our mission is to animate our society, culture, and communities with the generosity born of our faith. Like the Shunammite woman, we are compelled to share the goodness and love of Christ with everyone. We cannot keep this gift to ourselves. We are missionaries entrusted with the mission of bringing others to faith in Jesus Christ, whose death on the Cross and Resurrection have redeemed and reconciled the world to God the Father.
A simple act of hospitality toward the prophet brought the Shunammite woman the great blessing of a child. In the same way, following Jesus and living according to His teachings may not always be easy, but the rewards are truly great. Nothing can surpass the gift of eternal life that He promises to those who follow Him. Paradoxically, by losing one’s life for the sake of the Kingdom, one finds it. Therefore, “taking up the cross” means making a generous and free commitment to Jesus Christ and His Gospel, come what may, including the shame and suffering that the cross may represent.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Rev. Vitalis Anyanike, Pastor
