HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF 3RD WEEK OF EASTER. (2)

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF 3RD WEEK OF EASTER.

THEME: Do not work for food that cannot last, but for food that endures to eternal life.

BY: FR. DEOTATIOUS CHIKONTWE SMA.

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Acts 6:8-15
Ps 118:23-24,26-27,29-30
John 6:22-29

*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
WHITE

*FROM OUR FIRST READING*
In our first reading today, we heard of the moment when Stephen, one of the first seven holy Deacons of the Church, appointed to assist in the works and mission of the Church, was confronted by those who opposed the Lord and His teachings, as they debated about the things which he has been proclaiming and teaching to the people, especially regarding the truth and the Good News of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. He spoke with great wisdom, courage and strength despite all the challenges and the plotting against him. His opponents even bribed people to give false testimonies and accusations against him, twisting the truth and the words that the Lord Himself has spoken, accusing him for spreading the teachings of the Lord Jesus among the people.

*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
In the gospel reading this morning Jesus makes a distinction between food that cannot last and food that endures to eternal life. He had just fed the people in the wilderness with bread and fish; he was very aware that people’s physical hunger needed to be satisfied. As the people continued to look for more of this physical food, Jesus called on them to look for food that endures to eternal life, food that satisfies the deepest hunger in our lives. Jesus has come not just to give people physical food but to give them the spiritual food of God’s presence, God’s life and God’s Spirit.

*CONCLUSION*
This gospel of today dear friends, reminds us that, while the physical and material is vital because we are physical and material beings, our searching must not stop at the physical and the material. There is a great deal more to life than the satisfaction of our physical needs. We have deeper, spiritual hungers and thirsts as well that we need to attend to if we are to live a truly balanced life and be at peace within ourselves. In the gospel reading Jesus offers himself to us as the one who offers us the food that endures to eternal life. He can satisfy the deepest hungers and thirsts in our hearts. Our seeking must ultimately be directed towards him; it cannot stop at or be satisfied with anything less.

I wish everyone a Blessed Week ahead.

Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA

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