5th Sunday of Easter
At the service of the Word of God
Acts: 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; 1 Peter 2:4-9 & John 14:1-12
By Bro Azam Mansha
The apostle Peter acclaimed that they should be at the service of Word of God as he confessed before the court “we shall we follow you and God.”
Let us ask three questions:
Who is the Word of God?
Why it is important to be at the service of the Word of God?
What grace(s) may come while serving the Word of God?
The author of the letter to the Hebrews wrote:
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe (1:1-2)
The author of the letter to the Hebrews point towards the Son who is Jesus Christ. He is the spoken Word of God from the Father to show the merciful face of God. He is image of the invisible God who has created all things as professed by St. Paul:
He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions to rulers or authorities- all things have been created through Him and for Him (Col 1:15-16)
Therefore when the community of believers is at the service of the Word of God, they are receiving five spiritual gifts:
1. Life in abundance
“I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10).
2. Light for life
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12b)
3. Seeing the face of the Father
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works (Jn 14:10)
4. Communion with the Father
“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him” (Jn 14:23).
5. Bearing much fruit
Who remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit . . . if you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you (Jn 15:5 & 7).
May Mary, the first keeper of the Word of God in heart and womb, intercede for us to be at the service of the Word to God in order to glorify the Father in heaven!