Obedience, Joy, and the Christian Faith: Embracing God's Grace
May 2, 2024 - Thursday, 5th Week of Easter
Acts 15:7-21; Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10; John 15:9-11
The contemporary world has influenced us with an idea that obedience is something bad. Rebellion and rebels are being held in esteem. We rebel against everyone and everything: governments, the Church, parents, education, values. Moreover, those acts of rebellion are easily justified. Our governments are corrupt, the Church is irrelevant, our parents are old-fashioned, education is useless, and our values were good for the Middle Ages but not for the 21st century. But do these acts of rebellion bring us joy?
On the other hand, the Bible talks a lot about obedience. Obedience is more important than offering sacrifices; it is a path to life and brings joy. The longest psalm in the Bible is Psalm 119. It is a meditation on God’s law. We find in it obedience and joy linked together. The psalmist requests God to teach him His commandments because he delights in them and loves them (Psalm 119:33, 35, 47). This love and joy for God’s commandments move him to speak about them “before kings” (Psalm 119:46).
In today's first reading, Peter stands out and declares that demanding circumcision and the observance of the Mosaic law from the Gentiles equals putting the Lord to the test. I love the honest confession of Peter included in his argument. It is hypocrisy to demand from others what we are unable to fulfill ourselves. Peter's exact words are worth quoting here: "Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?" (Acts 15:10). Then the apostle proclaims the words that ended the discussion: "we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they" (Acts 15:11). The proof of this statement was the gift of the Holy Spirit that fell upon a Roman military officer, Cornelius, and his entire household while Peter preached the message of the Gospel to them (see Acts 10:44-48).
The decision issued by the leaders of the Church in Jerusalem communicated to the Gentile Christians in Antioch brought them joy (Acts 15:30). Perhaps, upon hearing the Good News that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, it caused them to sing a new song that the psalmist invites us to sing today. We hear this new song in the book of Revelation sung in the heavenly liturgy. The song praises the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, for redeeming the world (Revelation 5:9-10). The book of Revelation also tells us that no one could learn that new song except those who followed the Lamb of God (Revelation 14:3-5).
A sad Christian is an anti-testimony to faith. Twice during our liturgical year, the Church brings to our awareness the theme of joy - during Advent and Easter. The third Sunday of Advent is called the Sunday of rejoicing. We rejoice at the mystery of the Word of God coming to dwell among us. Joy is proclaimed during Easter Vigil with the famous song known as the Exultet. It begins with a call to rejoice. This call is directed to the entire creation, heaven and earth, and to the Church. The reason for that joy is Christ’s victory over death.
Let us "rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4), let the joy of the Lord be our strength (see Nehemiah 8:10), and let our joy be complete (John 15:11).