Sometimes in life events, mishaps and crises can threaten to overwhelm us. Through all this, Jesus is always alongside us, gently praying for us – this gives us courage to carry on. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass.
Readings for Thursday of the 7th week of Easter can be found here.
Harold Macmillan, who served as British Prime Minister in the late 1950s and early 1960s, was once asked what was the biggest challenge he faced in government. In reply he simply said “events, dear boy, events”. The point he was making was that it is the problems, the mishaps and the crises that seem to appear out of nowhere that can blow a government off course. It can be like that in our own life as well. We can be going along quite happily, then all of a sudden something happens – an accident, a bereavement, the loss of a job – which really shakes us.
Paul the Apostle had his fair share of “events, dear boy, events” to contend with during his ministry as recorded in Acts. In today’s reading, we learn that he has been held in custody by the tribune, or Roman military commander for Jerusalem, who then brings him before the Jewish Sanhedrin. Previous to this, Paul has been attacked by a mob in the Temple and taken into Roman custody for his own safety. In tomorrow’s passage, we read of how he was sent to the Roman governor Festus in Caesarea, and then on Saturday we have the account of Paul going to Rome to stand trial before the Emperor himself. Events indeed! And yet, in the midst of all this, Jesus himself comes to Paul and gently says to him “take courage”. Even with storms battering him on every side, Paul remains faithful for the Lord is alongside him.
This is the same Lord who we hear praying for us in the Gospel. He prays not only for those gathered around him at the Last Supper, “but also for those who will believe in me through their word”. That includes you and me, gathered here today. When “events, dear boy, events” threaten to overwhelm us, let us remember the example of St Paul, and Jesus’ words to him in his moment of crisis. And let us also remember the beautiful prayer offered by Jesus the night before he died. No matter what happens, he will continue praying for us, and will always remain by our side.
Mass today is in St Dyfrig & St Samson at 10am.
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