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

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK OF EASTER

THEME: I shall not call you servants any more,because a servant does not know his master’s business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father.

BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY MAY 20 2022

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

*FROM THE 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.

*FROM THE GOSPEL READING*
In this morning’s gospel reading Jesus says to his disciples, ‘I do not call you servants any more… I call you friends’. He had just washed the feet of his disciples, which was a very powerful act of friendship towards his disciples. His washing of their feet was but a foretaste of an even more powerful expression of his friendship for them on the following day, when he would lay down his life for them. Jesus has not washed our feet but he has given his life for us all.

*CONCLUSION*
Dear brethrens, in natural friendships there is always a giving and a receiving between friends. However, Jesus’ friendship is pure gift on his part, ‘You did not choose me: no, I chose you’. His friendship of us endures, even though he may receive little in return. Having befriended us in this Spirit inspired way, he then calls on us to befriend one another as he has befriended us, to love one another as he has loved us.

*LET US PRAY*
Lord, I want to know you as a true friend. I want to share the ins and outs of my life, my joys, and my sorrow. I want to live my day with you by my side, sharing with you whatever it is that I am doing. Give me the confidence that everything that matters to me matters to you, and form my heart so that everything that matters to you matters to me. Through you Christ my Lord. Amen.

Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA