6th Week of Easter : Friday 30th May 2025

“Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city” (v10-11). This vision of Paul was relatable to an event during Gallio’s governance as proconsul of Achaia. Gallio showed no concern whatsoever to the complaints made by the Jews in Corinth against Paul. Such unaccustomed protection had helped Paul to stay in Corinth for a year and a half and preach the word without much harm.

In his farewell discourse, Jesus assures His disciples that “No one will take away your joy[.] Very truly I tell you, My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name” (v22-23). In the last verse of John 16, Jesus ends by reassuring, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (v33). Harassment, subtle and violent persecution will come to challenge our moral principle and our relationship with Jesus. Yet, God’s saving intervention through good people, such as Thermouthis, the princely daughter of Pharaoh in saving Moses; King Cyrus in Babylonian captivity and Gamaliel in the Sanhedrin Council are just a few examples. Jesus triumphed over the antagonistic forces of the world and opened our eyes wider that peace is to all people of goodwill in spite of their race, religion, royalty.

Dear Lord, open my heart to submit to Your goodness beyond my prejudice.