The Presence of
Christ through the Holy Spirit
Homily Sixth
Sunday of Easter Year C: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
· Acts 15:1-2, 22-29;
· Rev 21:10-14, 22-23
· John 14:23-29
Easter Cycle is
winding down as we approach the Ascension and the Pentecost. With this, today’s
readings reminds us of the ever presence of Christ in our midst, through the
Holy Spirit. This Spirit brings us reconciliation, unity, joy, love of God and
peace.
The first reading
from the Acts of the Apostles paints a picture of disputes and misunderstanding
between Paul’s community and the Jerusalem Community concerning the OT practice
of circumcision and practice of mosaic laws. This dispute, we notice was not
resolved with weapons and military might, nor with protracted court litigation,
but with mutual dialogue between the two parties. This is an excellent example
for how Christians, especially in a volatile world of today, should resolve
conflicts: with prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and through mutual
respect, dialogue of peace and love.
This love is the
way of Christ. And Christ minces no words in today’s gospel when he says to his
disciples, whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him and
we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” Whoever imitates Christ
and follows his teachings have Christ constantly dwelling and living with him
or her in Spirit.
This Spirit of
Christ radiates joy in place of sadness. It promotes reconciliation instead of
revenge. It brings us peace (shālôm), growth and prosperity, instead of decay, war, violence and terrorism. And
when Christ says in the gospel, “ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to
you,” as a Jew, he meant to say, he wishes us everything that is good in this
life: success in the works of our hand, our well -being, unity, good health,
long life, and many other blessings that only God can give.
As Christians,
when we receive these blessings, we are obliged to reach out and to share these
blessings of joy, reconciliation, respect for all, dialogue of love and peace
with the society of our neighbors, lit by the light of the glory of God (Rev
21:10-14, 22-23), and of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection
Questions
1.
Do
we realize that Christ is ever present in our midst?
2.
Are
we agent and conduits of peace to others?
3.
What
are our challenges in terms of embracing Christ’s presence in our communities
and a families?
Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled
Homily Sixth Sunday of Easter Year C: Fr. Michael Ufok
Udoekpo
·
Acts15:1-2, 22-29
·
Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
·
Rev 21:10-14, 22-23
·
John 14:23-29
“Do
not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, ‘I am going
away and I will come back to you.” These are words of Jesus addressed to his
disciples in today’s Gospel John 14:23–29), on this 6th Sunday of
Easter. Similar message could be heard both in the 1st and in the 2nd
reading as well. Same message was heard over and over again during the papacy
of Blessed John Paul II—do not be afraid!
What
troubles you? What makes you afraid? Is it your neighbor; high cost of living,
our corrupt political system, the question of who wins the next election..,
uncompassionate leaders, the examinations that we need to pass, and the
promotions we expect, the strict laws we need to keep, the unforeseeable future
in our careers; those sudden departures of our loved ones, insecurity, broken
family structures, our broken temples, broken churches, cities, dilapidated
infrastructures, rifts, conflicts, uncertainties, the estranged
relationship with our friends, unpredictable economy or our times or
imminent wars, or is it the rampant terrorism of our day? Any of this is
enough to cause fear in you!
In the case of Jesus and his disciples in
this gospel portion- the book of glory, the last supper discourse- it was
Jesus’ prediction of his departure to the glorious cross that sent chilling
fears into the hearts of his disciples. They must have been wondering where he
was going, and what will happen to them socially, economically, religiously and
politically. You see, with fear we can make wrong choices. With fear our
heads spin! With fear we can forget the love of God and his teachings. With
fear we can forgot those baptism promises. Jesus rather prefers loves. He
recommends love to his disciples saying “whoever loves me keep my word,
and my father will love him.” Which words? Those words that Jesus had preached
in their company. Those miracles he worked. Those healing he made. Those feet
he washed! Those words on the Cross,”Eloi Eloi, Lama Sabathani,"
----"Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing!
For
the group of the early Church in today’s 1st reading, Acts of
the Apostle 15, the question whether the Gentile Christians should observed the
dietary laws or strict Jewish-Mosaic laws was contentious enough to cause fear
in the early Christian community. Thanks be to God with the guidance of the
Holy Spirit it was decided that it was unnecessary to place the burden of
physical circumcision and observance of Mosaic laws on the early Christian. The
council of the Jerusalem decided that “the early church should not be troubled,
or be afraid of been forced to observed the dietary laws physical circumcision.
It is the image of this New Jerusalem that
we see in today’s 2nd reading, Book of Revelation 21 and
earlier in the Prophet Ezekiel 47-48. It is a new city of hope and
life gleamed with the image and splendor of God- love, mercy,
freshness, forgiveness, charity, and inclusiveness. Inclusiveness, in the
sense that, it has 12 gates, not one gates, not selected gates, but 12
gates, and the names of the 12 tribes, not one tribe, not some tribes, not
selected tribes, not favored tribes or villages and towns, but all the 12
tribes of Israel is inscribed in this new city of Jerusalem, an ecumenical
council, the Church. A free wall. A city and a Church that welcomes
immigrants, Jews and Gentiles alike, the Weak and the Strong (Romans 14-15:13).
Therefore,
no one, irrespective of your conditions, losses, sins or brokenness, should be
afraid to come or aspire for this city—namely the Lamb of God, Christ our
merciful and loving Savior, who says to each of us today, “Do not be afraid. Do
not let your hearts be troubled.”
Reflection
Questions
1.
Do
we realize that Christ is ever present in our midst?
2.
Are
we agent and conduits of peace to others?
3.
What
are our challenges in terms of embracing Christ’s presence in our communities
and a families?
4.
What
are our fears in matter of faith?
