HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF 7TH WEEK OF EASTER.
THEME: Father, may they be one in us,as you are in me and I am in you,so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
BY: Rev Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Acts 22:30,23:6-11
Psalm 15:1-2,5,7-11
John 17:20-26
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
WHITE
*INTRODUCTION*
Good morning dear brethrens, today we celebrate the thursday of the 7th Week of the Easter Period, liturgical calendar Year A.
*FROM OUR FIRST READING*
Today’s first reading reminds us that in the time of Jesus and the early church, there were strong differences of opinion among leading Jews regarding matters of faith. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, in angels and spirits. The Sadducees did not share any of these beliefs. In that reading, Paul refers to himself as a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee. His belief in the resurrection of the dead, in angels and spirits while a Pharisee was enriched and deepened through his encounter with the risen Lord. Jesus himself was at one with the Pharisees in these matters of belief and opposed to the Sadducees.
RELATED: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF 7TH WEEK OF EASTER.
*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
In todays gospel reading, Jesus continues to pray in intercession for his disciples, and for all future disciples, those who will believe through the witness of the first disciples. He prays that they would be one, as he and his Father are one. This prayer of Jesus has been an inspiration to the ecumenical movement in recent decades. He also prays that his disciples would be ‘with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me’. He prays that his disciples would be with him in all his glory, in eternal life. Jesus articulates here our ultimate destiny beyond this earthly life, a sharing in his own glorious destiny.
*CONCLUSION*
When we receive into our lives the love of God and the love of Jesus for us, then we will be able to love one another as we are loved and we will become more fully one. That is why at the end of the reading, Jesus expresses the hope that the love God has for him may be in his disciples. Jesus also prays to the Father that his disciples would ‘be with me where I am, so that they may always see my glory’. This is our final goal beyond this earthly life. Our ultimate destiny is to be in communion with the risen Lord. Our present calling which leads to that destiny is to allow the Lord to be in communion with us, so that we so that we can take the Lord as our way, the way of loving others as he loves us.
Your Word is indeed my Strength Oh Lord our God. May You All Have a Blessed Thursday.
Rev Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.
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