7TH SUNDAY OF THE EASTER: YEAR C

7TH SUNDAY OF THE EASTER: YEAR C

HOMILY THEME: DWELLING IN LOVE AND UNITY WILL BE EVIDENCE OF OUR FAITH

BY: Tochukwu Okonkwo, OFM Cap.

Acts 1:1-11, Ps: 46; Eph 1:17-23; Lk 24:46-53

 The Gospel (Jn 17:20-26) of today shows the famous and only recorded prayer of unity of Jesus, “That they may be one.” He goes on to say that it is by this unity that they will bear witness to his being sent by the Father. The model of his oneness with the Father is that which he desires for all those who are his disciples. It is by the witness of their lives that the world will believe in the gospel.

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 In the first reading (Acts 7:55-60) of today, we see the witness of St Stephen, a young, courageous and generous disciple. His exemplary life led him to be chosen by the apostles to serve as one of the first seven deacons. His life bore witness to Christ, and he paid the ultimate price for his belief in Jesus to the point that he crowned it by giving up his life for Christ.

 Notably, Stephen would have kept his life if only he had decided to keep quiet in the face of evil. However, he did not fear his executioners nor their ferocity. He was not deterred from saying the truth about Christ. Many of us are not very often as courageous in the face of evil. We often prefer to save our skin from pain rather than speak up or even take a definitive and unpopular stand.
 Like Jesus, Stephen died a violent death. His death parallels that of Jesus. Both were falsely accused, died violent deaths and forgave their murderers. He lived passionately for Christ and died gallantly with the hope of the victory over death, which Jesus promises those who die in his friendship and love. He lived and especially died like a Christian – commended his soul to God, forgave his murderers and embraced God’s will for him willingly.

 The second reading (Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20) talks about the holy city as a reward for all those who have borne the fruits of the kingdom, and have had their robes washed in the blood of the lamb. It talks about the future glory that awaits all those who are God’s friends. To behold this future glory should be our greatest heart’s longing. Nothing on earth is fit enough to deprive us of this glory that God has prepared for us – the beatific vision.

 LESSONS FOR TODAY
1. Stephen exemplifies how every Christian should aspire to die, focusing all aspirations on God, forgiving everyone who has wronged us, enduring our sufferings with grace, and submitting them to Jesus, who assures us that he will give rest to those who come to him with their heavy burdens (see Mat. 11:28-30).
2. We are called to emulate Stephen’s courage and faith: Stephen’s courage in the face of death is a testimony that there is life beyond the grave, which cannot be compared to what we live here now. If, as the existentialists and positivists say, there is no hope beyond the grave, then why would he throw away his life, so to speak, untasted? He knew and believed that Christ’s promises are true.
3. God writes straight on crooked lines: God transformed what was a tragedy into immense good, making it the tool of human salvation in Christ, and in Stephen’s case, God made it the instrument of the spread of the Church. What every Christian should desire is a life secured and guaranteed in God. It is only in God that life has meaning. It is only in Him that human suffering has a salvific dimension.
4. We are called to spiritual martyrdom: Times have changed such that only a few of us may be called to physical martyrdom, but we are called to live out the values of our baptismal vows in an increasingly depraved society averse to Christian values. The world will not be convinced of the good news unless we all begin to live the life of love, unity, forgiveness and other fruits. Jesus wants our love and unity to make an impact in our society.
 This implicitly means that there is no room in the Church of God for back benchers, ceremonial or honorary members and passive members. All hands must be on deck. We are all called to be at the forefront, bringing our talents, time, abilities and resources in the service of God and our neighbour.
5. Am I someone who causes division or unifies? One pertinent question that we all need to ask is whether the prayer of Jesus for unity is infringed by our actions in any way. Does my presence in a group unify or divide? Do the people in the group I belong to want me involved whenever there is decision-making, or do they wish I would miss the gathering?

 FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Many Christians live today without the consciousness of the afterlife, or they try to turn a deaf ear to the voice of their conscience. How attentive are you to the voice of your conscience? How courageous are you in the face of evil? What kind of choices do you make when faced with challenging issues in life? The quality of the Christian life we live is not to be measured by what we say but by the fruits we bear.

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