HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF 5TH WEEK OF EASTER. (1)

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF 5TH WEEK OF EASTER.

THEME: What I command you is to love one another.

BY: FR. DEOTATIOUS CHIKONTWE SMA.

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Acts 15:22-31
Psalm 56:8-12
John 15:12-17

*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
WHITE

*FROM OUR FIRST READING*
In today’s first reading we have a good example of how the members of the very early church supported one another and built up each other. The church in Jerusalem sent a delegation to the church in Antioch with a letter to be read out. When this letter from the church in Jerusalem was read out, the reading says that the members of the church in Antioch ‘were delighted with the encouragement it gave them’. The ministry of encouragement seems to have been a very important one in the early church.

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*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
The gospel reading of today shows us that our love for God is a love of friendship. He says: “You are my friends, if you do what I command you.” To be a friend of God is a great gift. There are many instances as stated in the Holy Bible where God makes friends with human beings like a man. Like for example, Abraham is called the friend of God (Is. 41:8). God speaks with Abraham as a man speaks with his friend (Ex. 33:11). Jesus calls His disciples His friends and not 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. 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,” (Prov. 17:17).

*CONCLUSION*
Dear friends in Christ, like love, today friendship is easily misrepresented by us. But friendship is more than convenience, mutual tolerance or mutual utility. Friends not only share love, they share secrets and intimate knowledge. Friendship implies an intimate sharing of goods. It involves familiarity and ease in mutual dealings. An old Jewish proverb says: “A friend is one who warns you.” Spiritual writers talk about the practice of “presence of God.” God is present in our hearts as a good friend. We can maintain a conversation and dialogue with Him as we go about our tasks for the day.
May God. bless us all through Chirst our Lord.

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