1st Reading: Acts 5:17-26; Psalm: 34. R. v. 7a; Gospel: Jn 3:16-21

WHEN THE TIME IS RIPE

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

There are certain things we cannot stop because their time is ripe. Even nature respects the saying “When the time is ripe.” Fruit trees produce fruits and harvesting these fruits is subject to the discretion of man. However, “when the time is ripe” is a reality beyond the control of man. At these times, fruits that have naturally ripened would fall on their own. No matter the effort of man, stopping this from happening is a waste of energy. Nature has to follow her due course. This is how God planned it and it would naturally follow so.

Jesus promised his apostles the Holy Spirit before his ascension. He gave them the assurance that the Holy Spirit, whom the Father would send in his name, will teach them all things (Jn 14:26). The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost set this promise in motion. The apostles began to boldly do what ordinarily they couldn’t do before. They healed several sick people and by that many came to believe. It was for this reason that the high priest and the Sadducees had to arrest and imprison the apostles. But at night, the angel of the Lord freed them and said “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:20). When the time is ripe, necessary effects are unstoppable.

If we observe fruits, we would notice that they are hard and sour when not ripe but sweet and tasty when they ripen. Our dark or challenging moments in life can be sour and difficult to bear. But our God always has a way of bringing out good from those seemingly dark times. Even the food we eat experiences the heat of the fire before we can feast on it. We need to trust in God during our difficult moments. Our glorious moments shall come when the time is ripe. And once that time is here, no one can stop what God has designed for us. When the time is ripe, “The lines will fall for us in pleasant places” (Ps 16:6).  

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, increase our faith and trust in you. Amen.