Thursday of 3rd Week of Easter: reflection

Theme: He will raise us up on the last day.

Readings: Acts 8:26–40; Jn 6:44–51

One of the beautiful sayings of Jesus in today’s gospel reading is that ‘all those who come to him will be raised up on the last day’. It is a saying that is full of hope, assuring all followers of Christ that death will not be their final destination; like Christ, death will not conquer them, they will rather be raised from the dead.

When examined attentively, this promise implies that those who believe in Christ will die, but will be raised after their death. Thus, the faith-declaration that ‘physical’ death is not our portion, which has practically become an anthem on the lips of many Christians, thanks to some ‘men/women of God’, should be seen as misleading. If the followers of Christ will die and will be raised after their death, it means that death is the portion of them all, as well as the portion of all the living; it is a necessary end that awaits everyone.

While some may argue that the declaration that death is not their portion implies that untimely death is not theirs, it is undeniable that it has led many believers to see death as a punishment and to accuse God of unfair treatment in the event of the death of loved ones. In fact, it has led many people to have a false sense of security in God, believing that whoever is in Him/serves Him will never test physical death.

Dear friends, just as Philip helped the Ethiopian Eunuch to understand prophet Isaiah’s prophecy in today’s first reading, I humbly wish to help you to understand that physical death is a portion that followers of Jesus will embrace before they will be raise to eternal life. Therefore, death is neither a punishment from God nor an indication that He has failed us.

May favours flow to you like a river this Thursday. Amen

Fr Isaac Chima