Monday of the 5th Week of Easter
Acts 14:5-18
Jn 14:21-26
Not to us, Lord, but to your name give the glory
The prayer table at home has a candle lit at all times. This has resulted in a high usage of candles over time. As I was purchasing a new box of candles, I realised that the purpose of the candle is to burn itself out. The aim of the candle is to provide light and warmth to the people around it. The readings of today remind us of the role of the Christian to share the light of Christ to those around him.
Paul and Barnabas continued to share the joy of the Gospel they had received through their preaching in Asia Minor. The account which we read in today’s first reading is an indication that Christianity is not just about words, but also about action. The crippled man was healed of his infirmity and he jumped up at once. For this miracle to happen though, Paul recognized that the man possessed the faith to be cured.
Faith is indeed a gift and the pre-requisite for God’s work to begin. The belief in Jesus as our Saviour begins the work of salvation in our lives. Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of today that the lover of Jesus’s commandments will keep His word. Yet we will need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us interpret Jesus’s words in today’s world. The challenges to Christianity are numerous, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can definitely find the correct response which demonstrates the love of God.
There is no way we can predict the future, but we can certainly draw strength from the deep reservoirs of the love of God to guide our actions. Through the daily nourishment of Scripture and frequent reception of the Sacraments, may we continue to grow in grace and virtue to minister to the lives of others.
(Today‘s OXYGEN by Nicholas Chia)
Prayer: Jesus, help us to remain faithful to you amidst the ‘noise’ of the world.
Thanksgiving: We give thanks for all who show us the love of God.
OXYGEN 
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