Homily
Wednesday of Third Week of Easter (M. Saint Catherine of Siena- Udoekpo, Michael,
Fr.@ shsst chapel
Readings:
Acts 8:1b-8; Ps 66:1-3a, 4-7a; John 6:35-40
Difficulties that Bring Out the Best in Us!
(2) In the first reading Luke tells
us that it was a result of the persecution of the Church of Jerusalem that that
the gospel was spread to Samaria and beyond, in fact, to non-Jews towns and
territories. Stephen became the first martyr. He was killed and buried under this
umbrella of persecution and difficulties. Saul who would soon ironically receive
his calling and conversion to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, in Acts 9, and
occupy almost one-third of the NT later, was a key player. His primary goal
initially was to destroy the Church. Scripture tells, he moves from house to
house dragging out people, men and women for persecution, torture and imprisonment.
(3) The Greek verb used repeatedly in
Acts’ passage (vv.1, 4; 11:9), that coveys this irony is diaspeirÅ,
meaning “scatter.” But, I prefer to translate it as “spread.” It has a
missionary implication. As members of the early church including Philip were
running away from persecution and difficulties they spread the good-news, the
bread and source of lives. They are healed, cured diseases, the cripples and paralyzes.
In other words, seeming difficulties can sometimes bring out the best in us!
(4) In the case of Saint Catherine
of Siena history has it that she was born prematurely with her twin sister,
Giovanna into a very large Italian family. Giovanna, the twin sister later died
at infancy, while Catherine survived. About
the age of six Catherine had a mystical vision of Jesus smiling at her and
blessing her and leaving her in a state of ecstasy- perhaps to the amazement of
her family
(5) When her older sister
Bonaventura died, her parents wanted the 16 year old Catherine to marry her
sister’s widower. She fought back and opposed the idea. As a result she was badly
treated. She experienced all kinds of difficulties, including ill health, and opposition
from her family not to join the Dominican Convent. Catherine, after he had gone through a lot, finally
joined the Dominican tertiaries in 1335, took the habit, and remained at home in
prayers for three years.
(6) In 1336 she experienced a “mystical
marriage” with Jesus, and actively expressed her faith through actions. She was
a mystic and an activist. She cared for the sick, the needy and the poor. If it
were today she would be center and front assisting victims of the ongoing
pandemic. She was also a peace maker, and would often initiates a dialogue between
quarrelling parties in Italy. Even though she went through difficulties and
died at the young age of 39, her difficult life’s journeys brought the best out
of Catherine, She became who God had wanted here to be: a Saint, a mystic, an activist,
a lover of the poor and the sick, a co-patron of Europe and a doctor of the
Church, whom the Church keeps honoring year after year!
(7) As the world continues to experience
challenges and difficulties, as a result of Covid-19, many, politicians, civil
and church leaders, are also realizing that the challenge of this virus can
bring out the best in all of us- citizens and leaders.
(8) Andrew Cuomo, the governor of
NY, during his press conference yesterday made this very same point. He said
that the ongoing pandemic could make us Americans (Nigerians etc…) rethink of
how vulnerable we are. How we are lacking in areas of tele-education,
evangelization/spreading the gospel through media, health care system and in
many other areas we thought we were invincible. This pandemic, he said, reminds
us to appreciate more and more our essentials workers: cooks, drivers,
cleaners, health workers and many others…..
(9) So for us here (and elsewhere..),
when we want to get over-worried about our difficulties…. : be it about our
ordinations' dates; the rest our seminary
formation, or travelling plans affected by this pandemic, may the courage
and gospel faith displayed by members of
the early Church and by St. Catherine of Siena, despite their difficulties(persecution,
illnesses, loss of loved ones’, family rejection etc), inspire and challenge us to continue to trust and hope for
the best in the Risen Lord!