HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF 5TH WEEK OF EASTER. (2)

HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF 5TH WEEK OF EASTER.

THEME: A peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

BY: FR. DEOTATIOUS CHIKONTWE SMA.

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Acts 14:19-28
Psalm 144:10-13,21
John 14:27-31

*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
WHITE

*FROM OUR FIRST READING*
the first reading we find Paul and Barnabas putting fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith. One of the ways they put fresh heart into the disciples was by calling forth pastoral leaders from among them, ‘elders’, whom they commended to the Lord with prayer and fasting. The ministry of encouragement, of putting fresh heart into one another, as people of faith remains a vital ministry today. The temptation to discouragement can be quite strong in these times, so this ministry of encouragement is all the more vital.

*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks to his disciples whose hearts are troubled and afraid. The emotional state of the disciples is understandable because this is the night of the last supper and the prospect of Jesus’ death at the hands of his enemies weighs heavily upon them. Yet, it is clear that Jesus himself is not troubled or afraid. Rather, he is at peace, and he offers the gift of his peace to his troubled and fearful disciples, ‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you’. Jesus’ peace is rooted in his loving relationship with God his Father. He knows himself to be eternally loved by his heavenly Father. He also knows that beyond death he will be going to the Father whom he loves.

*CONCLUSION*
Both Paul and Jesus in todays readings, had a peace that, even in the face of great hostility and rejection, allowed them to bring peace and encouragement to others. This peace could only be of God. It was the fruit of their love for God and their deep awareness of God’s love for them. In the gospel reading, Jesus declares, ‘I love the Father’. He will go on to say, ‘the Father has loved me’. Jesus wants us to experience the same love of the Father through him, ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you’. In opening ourselves to this love, we too will know a peace the world cannot give, and we will become peacemakers, bringing fresh heart to those we meet.
Peace be with You.

Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.

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