HOMILY FOR 4TH WEDNESDAY IN EASTER — YEAR A

HOMILY FOR 4TH WEDNESDAY IN EASTER — YEAR A

HOMILY THEME: THEME: TRUE LOVE IS COSTLY AND SACRIFICIAL

BY: Fr. Isaac Awe

ACTS 1:15-17, 20-26, JOHN 15:9-17

Do we know the friendship of God? One of the special marks of favour shown in the scriptures is to be called the friend of God. Abraham is called the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8). God speaks with Abraham as a man speaks with his friend (Exodus 33:11). Jesus, the Lord and Master, in turn, calls the disciples his friends rather than his servants. What does it mean to be a friend of God? Friendship with God certainly entails a loving relationship which goes beyond mere duty and obedience.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY FOR 4TH WEDNESDAY IN EASTER 

Jesus’ discourse on friendship and brotherly love echoes the words of Proverbs: A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). The distinctive feature of Jesus’ relationship with his disciples was his personal love for them. He loved his own to the end (John 13:1). His love was unconditional and wholly directed to the good of others. His love was also sacrificial. He gave the best he had and all that he had. He gave his very life for those he loved in order to secure for them everlasting life with the Father.

True love is costly. A true lover gives the best he can offer and is willing to sacrifice everything he has for the beloved. God willingly paid the price for our redemption, the sacrifice of his only begotten Son. That’s the nature of true friendship and love, the willingness to give all for the beloved. True friends will lay down their lives for each other.

Judas betrayed Jesus’ love and he was replaced with St Matthias who knew Christ and gave his all for the sake of the gospel. Mathias love was genuinely sacrificial and not full of deceit. God will heal us! We are in the world whereby it’s even difficult to trust one another. Who are we ? Judas or Matthias in action, thought and words?

REFLECTION: We are going to be remembered for our actions!

PRAYER: Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for any reward, give us the grace to always do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (Prayer of Ignatius Loyola)

FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>

Dear friends in Christ, Your support for the past 12years has kept us going. We ask you to support us with your donations to enable us to upset our “annual bills”. Our priests are willing to offer Holy Masses for your Private Intentions. May you Click on “Next”, or the “Donate” button to get started. God bless you!!!