The Lord has made his salvation known to all the nations
April 27, 2024 - Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Acts 13:44-52; Psalm 98:1-4; John 14:7-14
The psalmist proclaims that “the Lord has made his salvation known in the sight of the nations” (Psalm 98:2). We see that evident in our first reading today. In Acts 13:44-52, the message of the Gospel, rejected by the Jews out of jealousy, is welcomed by many Gentiles. This rejection led Paul and Barnabas to turn to the Gentiles, making the message of salvation known among the nations.
In today's Gospel, we hear an incredible promise of Jesus given to those who believe in Him: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12). Psalm 98 celebrates the reign of the Lord evident in his wondrous deeds. These wondrous deeds began with creating the universe described in Genesis 1-2. Then came the calling of Abraham, the miraculous birth of Isaac, and the growth of the family of Jacob into a nation. The next stage is connected with Moses, the Exodus from Egypt, the giving of the commandments at Mount Sinai, and the entry into the promised land.
But the Lord continued His wondrous deeds and sent His beloved Son to the world. Jesus' ministry began with the proclamation: “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Many people could experience God’s saving power through Jesus’ powerful deeds: lepers got cleansed, the sick got healed, sinners were forgiven, the dead were raised back to life, the hungry were fed, and the poor heard the Good News. Finally, there came Good Friday and Easter Sunday, when Jesus crushed the power of sin and death. How could we then do greater things than these?
In view of today's first reading, Jesus' statement can be interpreted as referring to the missionary success of the disciples. In the first few months after Jesus’ death and resurrection, many more men and women became His followers through their witness than had been so during Jesus’ personal ministry in Galilee and Judea. But, some biblical commentators rightly point out that the missionary success of the Church is the fruit of the presence of the Spirit of Christ. The Church can do "greater works" because Jesus is with the Father and has sent upon us the Holy Spirit. Thus, the "great works" are still the work of Christ accomplished by the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God the Father.
The Lord has made his salvation known through the Church. Even the rejection of the Gospel by the Jews was part of God's plan of salvation because their rejection opened the doors of God's mercy to the Gentiles. And when the Jews accept this salvation in Jesus Christ, that was first to be proclaimed to them, then as Saint Paul said, it will "mean but life from the dead" (Romans 11:15). "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33). "God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all" (Romans 11:32).