HOMILY OF THE 6TH TUESDAY IN EASTER — YEAR A

HOMILY OF THE 6TH TUESDAY IN EASTER — YEAR A

HOMILY THEME: “NOW I AM GOING TO THE ONE WHO SENT ME…”

BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido 

Acts 16:22-34; Psalm 137(138):1-3, 7-8; John 16:5–11

Jesus’ return to the Father was met with mixed feelings by the disciples. First, no one welcomes the loss of the personal presence of a wonderful and reliable friend, brother/sister or boss. Thankfully, Jesus’ return was not a loss. Where he was going, they would follow and we hope to follow; a hope that we celebrate on every Ascension Thursday. So, the communion we forge with Christ on earth is but a foretaste of the eternal unification of the faithful with Christ in heaven at the end of time.

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While we await that time, the Holy Spirit accompanies us and keeps us in the straight and narrow to our destination. Second, of course, is the expectation of the Holy Spirit and the accompanying blessings promised to the disciples, but whose realization is impossible without Jesus’ exit. Jesus’ return to the Father makes way for the Spirit’s coming. The disciples were, therefore, challenged to be open to his departure and wait eagerly for his renewed presence through the Holy Spirit, who, according to Jesus, will challenge and convict the world regarding sin and unbelief at his coming. In John’s gospel, there was no question of a long wait for that gift. It would be given on Calvary, from upon the Cross. So, once Jesus rose from the dead and visited the disciples, we are told that he breathed the Spirit on them, sending them out just as the Father sent him. The point for John was to establish continuity and note that there was no break in divine action and presence. The Spirit’s action of proving the world wrong already manifests in today’s first reading. Paul and Silas’ good day turned sour very quickly as they faced humiliation, aggression, beating, and imprisonment because of their commitment to the good news and their faith in Christ. Their response to the situation is truly instructive: praying and singing praises, offering it up to God. Their trust in God in their time of need paid off. They were miraculously delivered and they even won over and saved souls that were hitherto in the opposite camp. While the challenge of the Holy Spirit, as manifested in the deliverance of Paul and Silas, spelt judgment for those who remained obstinate and unbelieving, those who respond by repenting are saved from enslavement to the world.

Lord, stretch out your hand to save us in our time of need. Amen.

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