3RD TUESDAY HOMILY OF EASTER — YEAR A
3RD TUESDAY HOMILY OF EASTER — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: DIPLOMATIC EVANGELISM!
BY: Fr. Benedict AGBO
Acts 7:51–8:1a; Psalm 31:3-4, 6-8, 17-21; John 6:30-35
There is always a big conflict whenever there is a very big gap between the message, the messenger and the receiver of the Word of God. Such is what we find both in the 1st and 2nd readings of today;
In Stephen’s case, he needed to let the Jewish elders and scribes know that the person they crucified was the Lord of life. He wasn’t diplomatic enough perhaps. And he ended up using very offensive words like calling them ‘stiff – necked people, uncircumcised in hearts and ears, always resisting the Holy Spirit’. The end result was that they stoned him.
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In Jesus’ case, he needed to let them know that he was both the Son of God and Bread of Life. But that generation was too naive to understand the intricacies of Eucharistic/ Sacramental theology. Yet the truth needed to be told. He lost a big chunk of his followers at the end of that day because there were far more Protestants in their number than the Loyalists who accepted his teaching, Jn 6: 67.
How best can we confront a stiff necked society full of greed, selfishness and violence, with the message of our Lord Jesus Christ without hurting their emotional sensibilities?
Today, with the kind of leadership Nigeria has, there is a rise in insecurity even in States like Enugu State that has hitherto been a peaceful State. The increase in kidnap and terrorism especially as purported to be sponsored by the so called Miyetti Allah group is alarming.
The rise in neopaganism is becoming also terrible. Our Youths are going back to the religious belief of our forefathers (manifesting in different kinds of masquerade cult, swearing, witchcraft and sorcery. And a new brand of Christianity is fast emerging to fan the embers of this unhealthy religious whirlwind.
It is becoming glaringly clear that the only thing that can save our society is diplomatic Christian evangelism – an evangelism that is not money – minded but soul – minded. Christians who receive Jesus everyday as the bread of life can bring love and forgiveness into the world where there is so much hatred and violence. We could give our world a better servant – leader perspective to leadership and reduce the level of greed and selfishness among our leaders. Jesus Christ is the gift of God the father to our famished world. He is the true bread that nourishes the soul. He is the prophylactic drug that our soul needs. Let’s learn to spread his message of good news with love and diplomacy wherever we are without compromise of the true faith. May God bless you today!
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