The Spirit of
Witness and Oneness Needed!
Homily
Seventh Sunday of Easter Year C: Fr. Michael Ufok Udoekpo
·
Acts 7:55-60
·
Ps 97:1-2,6-7,9
·
Rev 22:12-14,16-17,20
·
John 17:20-26
The Gospel reading of today is widely known with
the appellation: the “Priestly Prayer/ or the High Priestly Prayer of
Jesus," (praecatio summi sacerdotis- David Chytraeus),or
"farewell prayer," prayer of Jesus(R. Bultmann). In this last
farewell prayer, and important testament of Jesus, we are told,
“Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying, ‘Holy Father, I pray not
only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so
that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they
also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me…”
This prayer, especially the phrase, “that they may all be
one” (Ut Omnes unum sint), as intercessory as it may be (according
to the patristic fathers), is a delight of many pastors, exegetes,
commentators, scholars and Church leaders. Many Bishops (e.g. +Camillus Etokudoh) have
also chosen it as their episcopal motos, and guiding principles of
ecumenism and evangelization.
It is a timely prayer that fits the 7th Sunday
of Easter, a post- ascension Church. It gives answers to the questions:
what happens to the Church after the ascension of Jesus. It calls for a spirit
of witness, prayers, and perseverance within the church even with the seeming
physical absence of Jesus. In this prayer, ut omnes, unum sint (that
they may all be one”) Jesus, the high priest stresses unity, faith, love and
peace after he might have ascended to the Father. Jesus anticipates a Church
marked with despair, distress and persecution, like in the case of Stephen, in
today’s 1st reading, Acts of the Apostle chapter 7.
Churches, Christians, families and even politicians
everywhere can relate to this priestly prayer, recognizing ab initio,
that the causes of disunity may include, ignorance, jealousy, envy, and
lack of respect for one another’s culture and religion.
In the United Nations today, the question of how to cope
with wars, and global terrorism posed by Isis and other religious extremists
remains alive. America like any other nation on earth, has its own
problems and challenges (racial, denominational divides etc) currently
addressed by members of both political parties: The Republicans and the
Democrats and by those who are Independents. In Nigeria, where the prayer for
“Nigeria in Distress” has long been maintained, the activities of Boko Haram,
and recently of some radical Herdsmen and corrupt elected officials are among
those realities threatening the unity of that nation.
No wonder the recent and timely meeting of the Nigerian
Catholic Bishops with President Muhamadu Buhari on May 2, 2016 has
unequivocally address the following unity-related needs:
·
For the Church and State to collaborate in building a united post-Boko Haram
Nigeria
- · To urgently address the recent farmers’/herdsmen’s conflict in Nigeria
- · For Freedom of worship, education and religion in all parts of Nigeria
- · To address current socio-political and economic hardship in the country
- · For a greater and collective sense of patriotism
In the face of these challenges a true life of witness is
expected. This may include, interdenominational prayer, change of attitude,
freedom of speech, respect to the dignity of every human person, their
fundamental human rights, security and freedom of education, worship and
true dialogue among religious groups, followers and leaders and promotion of
unity and sense of patriotism in our homes, families, villages, towns,
states, nations, churches, and dioceses.
Those who witness to this spirit of unity and
oneness in the face of distress, could be liken to those describe in the 2nd
reading (Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20). They have washed their robes of unity,
oneness and witness ready to participate in the right of the tree of life and
entrance into the heavenly city through the gates of life namely, Jesus,
who remains the way, the truth and the life.
Reflection Questions
1.
How do we relate
to today’s scripture passages?
2.
What prevents us
from promoting unity, oneness, and sense of common good in our communities?
3.
Do we realize that
Christ is the way, truth and life?
