Tidal Flows

This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.

Jesus has fallen in and out of favor throughout history, just as he was wildly popular at certain periods of His earthly life, utterly unknown at others, and roundly rejected at still others.

We should not be surprised to see this pattern repeat itself in human history. During the times of the Roman Empire, Christians were personae non gratae, and their numbers were in fact whittled down to a tiny number within Rome itself. When, for example, the deacon St. Lawrence was martyred, not a single living deacon was left in the city.

Then, during a period in the early Middle Ages, Christianity spread and grew as it had in the early apostolic times, the times we read about in today’s first reading. Just as in the Acts of the Apostles, new communities join Christian ranks and new apostles (such as Apollos today) seem to spring up like weeds, so during a period of the Middle Ages, Christianity spread like wildfire.

In our day, we see to our chagrin that many superficial Christians, who perhaps never embraced the fullness of the faith and its demands, are ceasing their practice of the faith and effectively renouncing Christianity in their practical lives. It is not unlike those whom Jesus fed in droves with the multiplication of the loaves, but then who left Him when He announced Himself as the Bread of Life.

It should not alarm us that Jesus falls in and out of vogue culturally in our world. It does not mean that He is losing the battle, or winning it for that matter. The battle for salvation and sanctification is only won in those souls who truly give themselves to Him, who constitute a minority in every era. As mysterious as this is, it falls entirely in line with His providential plan.

Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Ask Jesus to give you faith and trust of steel, which can withstand the deepest discouragements the world can bring, in its failure to commit to Him. Ask Him to make your own commitment firm and steadfast, through any trial that may come.