YEAR A: HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK OF EASTER (1)

YEAR A: HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK OF EASTER

HOMILY THEME: SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS

BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU

 

HOMILY: READINGS: ACTS 16:1-10, PSALM 100, JOHN 15:18-21

THIS WEEKEND, beloved brethren, let us admire Paul’s hard work and relentlessness in spreading the Gospel of Christ. In these few verses 16:1-10 of Acts Paul is seen traversing at least seven places (cities). This should create a sparkle of zeal for God’s work in us; it should reawaken the dead and strengthen the lax spirit in us, it should charge us to greater commitment and dedication to matters of God in the Church. How COMMITTED are we today to God’s work: Priests, Church leaders, societies and the lay faithful?

Paul circumcised Timothy not because he aligned himself with Judaism. He did it to avoid further squabbles and possible delays to the important mission of evangelization that lay ahead. He set his priorities rightly and it paid off. We too find ourselves in similar situations many a times; there are things we don’t like doing but for the sake of love for instance, we do them. THERE ARE SOMETHINGS THAT NO OBSTACLE IS ENOUGH TO STOP US FROM DOING if God and neighbour are not offended: evangelization, love, saving of life etc.

The Churches Paul and Timothy visited taking the resolutions from the Council of Jerusalem were OBEDIENT Churches; they were TEACHABLE and SUBMISSIVE to the authority of the day. This being the case they were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers too. Nowadays, we find societies in Church and the world who are too knowledgeable to obey simple instructions from the hierarchy of the Church or government. WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO FEEL TOO SPIRITUAL AND INFORMED TO BE SUBSERVIENT TO CONSTITUTED AUTHORITIES. We may do well to learn from the elders and people of the Churches that Paul and Timothy visited by being cooperative to Church and state authorities. This will engender growth both in spirit and in body.

Paul and Timothy were very FAITHFUL TO THE WILL OF GOD. There were places they intended visiting: Asia and Bithynia, but since the Spirit of God opposed it, they passed them by. They were also PROMPT to go to where God directed – Macedonia. These men have become our teachers today; EVEN WHEN WE ARE GIFTED WITH NUMEROUS GIFTS AND POWERS, THE BIDDING OF GOD MUST COME FIRST. The Church would be a better institution if men learnt to advance God’s will other than theirs.

May we go about our activities conscious of our identity, a people chosen out of the world to lead holy and blameless lives. May we accept ridicule, hate, sarcasm, persecution and bear insults patiently in the name of Christ whom we are following.

HELP THE POOR, FEED THE HUNGRY

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