DAILY HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK OF EASTER (2)

DAILY HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK OF EASTER 

THEME: AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW

BY: Fr. Karabari Paul

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY MAY 12 2022

‘If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.’

When Jesus was washing the disciples’ feet, in the Gospel of today (John 13:16-20), He was doing more than just a nice, caring act. He was setting them an example to follow. Jesus said: ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent you’ (John 13:16). In fact, Jesus’ whole life was an example to the disciples, and to us. He showed us how to act in different situations and with different people.

He taught us how to have a relationship with God. And He showed us how to cope with the emotions we feel and the challenges we face. We need to be setting good examples to those around us, and encouraging them to live a Christ-filled life. And the greatest example to set is to love one who sees you as an enemy to the end. Judas wasn’t excluded from those whose feet Jesus washed. It is difficult to love those who possess the inclination to betray and destroy us.

Basically, we should be setting an example for others in all areas of our lives. We also need to be setting an example to those who don’t yet believe in Jesus. If we’re living however we want and claiming that we are Christians, we are not glorifying God or representing Him well. The Bible says: ‘In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us’ (Titus 2:7-8). This isn’t said to put a huge amount of pressure on us; we are human, so we will all make mistakes at some point. We fail ourselves and others. But let’s try to be the best example to others that we can be. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God heal our world, bless and protect us through Christ our Lord Amen. Good morning.

Fr. Karabari Paul