Readings: Acts 16:1-10; Psalm 100; John 15:18-21
In the Gospel of today, Jesus made a very powerful statement. He said, “A servant is not greater than his master.” This reminds us that in our relationship with Jesus, we should never try to be at the front, to push boundaries, to impose our will, to teach God how He ought to answer our prayers and govern our affairs.
We must come as a servant, with a sense of obedience and a readiness to surrender our will. We must always allow God to take the lead, to direct us, to have His way, to govern us according to His purpose, to answer us as He wills and not necessarily as we wish.
In the First Reading of today, Paul demonstrates to us how we ought to come before the Lord – acknowledging Him as the Master who knows best and has the final say. Paul and his companions wanted to go into Asia, but the Holy Spirit said “no.” Then they planned to go into Bithynia, and again the Holy Spirit prevented them. They ended up in Troas and from Troas, they were called to Macedonia (a place they probably hadn’t planned for at that time).
Sometimes the Lord says “no” to us. He says “no” to something “good” that we have in mind. He says “no” to a plan, a relationship, a vision, a friendship, a program, a contract, a job, an application, a project, a request, a desire, an ambition, a pursuit.
He said “no” to the missionary plan of Paul – the time was not yet right and He had another plan for them.
Sometimes God leads us to somewhere we didn’t plan. He closes a door that we desperately want to pass through.
What is our reaction when God says “No” to what we want?
When He closes a door; when He alters our plan?
Do we lay down our will and surrender to His better purpose?
Do we acknowledge Him as the Master or do we begin to doubt His love, question His wisdom, protest His providence, blame Him for being unhelpful?
Let us pray for the grace to surrender to the Lord always, to accept whatever He will for us, to allow Him to be the Master and take the lead and to follow, trusting in His infinite wisdom, love and goodness.
Sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on May 4, 2024