YEAR C: HOMILY FOR THE 6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER (6)

YEAR C: HOMILY FOR THE 6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER

HOMILY THEME: I AM GOING AWAY AND SHALL RETURN

BY: Fr. Cosmas Ukadike, C.M.

 

HOMILY: The mission of Jesus as man is gradually winding up and so he is beginning to drum it into the ears and minds of his disciples that, He is going away and shall return.

Naturally, his followers should be unhappy, troubled and afraid, but he told them not to be afraid (Jn 14, 27), he went on to insist that if his disciples love him, they should be glad that he is going away to the Father (Jn 14, 28).

One would have to ask himself, what is it about going to the Father? What’s so special about going to the Father? Perhaps, the Father must possess something that the Son has not? Or going to the Father will reveal the true identity of the Son? Why exactly should the disciples be glad that Jesus is going to the Father?

Jesus gives us the answer as he spoke on… “For the Father is greater than I” (Jn 14, 28).

The fact that Jesus said, My Father is greater than I" has led some to conclude that he was lesser in nature than God the Father. However this statement refers to Jesus’s; state of humiliation that he took when he became a human being. It does not have reference to his basic nature (his Godhead).

Thus, he had to suffer in the flesh and die, but Jesus basically reminds his followers that there is more to himself than just the human. He and the Father are one (Jn 11, 30). His statement is a reassurance to them, and it should be to us as well, that he is one with the father, and together with the Father, the presence of the Holy Spirit is sure.

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (Jn 16, 7).

In summary therefore, Jesus wants to reveal to his followers that in the Godhead, there are three persons; the Father, who creates and sends the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as our savior and sanctifier.

Thus, his going away is for our benefit so that the Spirit of truth will come and lead us to the complete truth in Christ with the power of His inspiration and new vision.

May the coming of the Holy Spirit bring us renewed freshness in our following of Jesus.

Have a fruitful week

Fr. Cosmas Ukadike, C.M.

 

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