Sixth Sunday after Pascha – Sunday of the Man Born Blind, Tone 5; The Holy Apostle Andronicus and those with him
Read
Acts 16:16-34; John 9:1-38
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Hope. This is one of the virtues which is most needed today in our time of lockdown, isolation, insecurity and anxiety. Let’s face it, between the Coronavirus, the economic and psychological instabilities that the states of emergency have caused, there’s a lot to worry about. But the good news of the Gospel today is that there is, even more, to hope for.
Sts. Paul, Silas and Luke are hopeful they will be able to engage some of the “Godfearing” Gentiles with the gospel of Christ in this new mission field of Philippi. As soon as they begin, they are tailed by a possessed girl, who happens to be shouting the truth loud and clear. Unfortunately, this is not the sort of press that the disciples are looking for, and what makes the situation all the more disheartening is the realization that this poor slave girl is being used by her owners for profit. Finally, Paul has had enough and casts out the demon in the name of Jesus. When her owners they saw that “their hope for gain” through exploitation was lost, they had the apostles arrested for disturbing the peace!
These contrasting hopes are nothing compared to what awaits the jailer in prison. Following the earthquake, the jailer thought his only hope was to fall on his own sword instead of facing the torture and execution that was coming his way for letting the prisoners escape. His hope was death one minute and true life through baptism the next! Not settling for this hope simply for himself, he has his whole household baptised (that means children and slaves too)! From death to life. From despair to hope.
Despite being locked in prison the apostles did not lose hope, not of being released, but of remaining in the presence of the Lord. What are your hopes? I’m sure we all have many at this time, but amidst all the insecurities, make sure that your hopes line up with your greatest good: salvation, eternity with the Lord, true life here and in the world to come!