Difficulties that Bring Out the Best in Us!;; Homily- Wed, 3rd Week of Easter/St. Catherine of Siena

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!

 (1)In the midst of ongoing Pandemic, we celebrate today the life and remember the contributions of Saint Catherine of Siena,  virgin, co-patron of Europe, and the first woman or lay person to be named a Doctor of the Church. In addition to her life story we are also blessed with a good selection of scriptures, especially the first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles 8:1b-8. Reflecting on this passage and on the Life of Saint Catherine of Siena in this era of Corona virus remind and challenge us to the sensitivity of the irony that sometimes difficulties can bring out the best in each and everyone one us! If there are difficult situations we cannot change; let the situation be a moment when we can change our lives, adjust and mend our approach towards a more and deeper trusting life in the Risen Lord, who is the source and Bread of life(John 6:35-40)!

(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 diaspeirō, 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!