Homily for May 14, 2017.
Given that
today’s Gospel passage is a repeat of the reading of Friday and Saturday, I am
sure most of us are already familiar with the message but that notwithstanding,
the word of God is always fresh and new no matter how many times we hear it.
Let not
your hearts be troubled.
The words
of Jesus in our Gospel passage today were spoken at a time Jesus was close to
his betrayal and death. He needed to strengthen the faith of his disciples.
Like these disciples, we all face challenges in life but then, despite whatever
may happen, let these words remain always at the back of your mind:
“Let not
your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.” Whenever we are
worried about anything, it is an indication of how much faith we have; big
faith equals small worries but small faith equals big worries. Note that Jesus
did not stop at “let not your hearts be troubled”, he quickly added the cure
for a troubled heart; “believe in God, believe also in me.”
Do not be
troubled, believe that there is God and that God knows, God sees, God
understands, that God cares and always wants the best for you. Believe also in
Jesus that he is the Son of God; that he once lived in human flesh and he
perfectly understands what you are going through.
I have
come to believe that whatever crisis God allows in our lives, it is because he
wants to use it to bring about something good. In the first reading, we read
about a crisis in the early Christian community about the distribution of food.
Out of this crisis, came the ordination of the first deacons in the church.
What is
that challenge you currently face? Are you walking through the valley of the
shadow of death? Fear Not. Worry Not. Like a little baby in its mother’s back,
hold on tightly to God and relax your mind. As St. Paul would say: “We know
that in everything God works for good with those who love him…” Romans
8:28
In my
Father’s House, are many Rooms.
By talking
about rooms in the father’s house, Jesus gives us a whole new meaning of death.
Death is not something to be afraid of, we shouldn’t even panic or feel
threatened when we face death because it is our opportunity of getting into the
many rooms Jesus has gone to prepare for us.
Again,
death is not something we can escape. Whether we like it or not, we shall still
die one day. As Jesus says: “And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come again and will take you to myself.” Never see this world as your final
destination. A better life awaits us in heaven, “what no eye has seen, nor ear
heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love
him.” 1st Corinthians 2:9.
In the
shoes of Thomas and Philip.
Anyone
conversant with the writing style of John would notice he likes employing the conversational
method whereby the message comes as a response to clear confusion or inform the
ignorant party. Recall how Nicodemus, the woman at the well, the man born blind
etc. all asked Jesus questions to which he provides deep answers.
In this
passage, Thomas and Philip represent all of us and the state of our minds. We
don’t want to miss heaven so like Thomas we ask for the way. And we want to
know God more concretely so like Philip we ask to be shown the Father.
To these
questions, Jesus says: “I am the Way, the truth and the Life…. I am in the
Father and the Father is in me.” In other words, Jesus is the answer; Jesus is
the solution; Jesus is the formula to solving all of life’s challenges and at
the same time, Jesus is God. To put it simply, Jesus is all we need.
To have
Jesus is to have everything and enjoy the best of life but to lack Jesus is to
be a walking dead. In another passage Jesus would say: “cut off from me, you
can do nothing.” John 15:5. If our relationship with Jesus suffers, we are most
to be pitied because Jesus himself is our life.
A Royal
Priesthood.
In our
second reading today, St. Peter reminds us of our true identity as priests. We
are priests because we are different, set apart; holy – we are living stones
who offer spiritual sacrifices to God by the kind of life we live.
What makes
us different is that unlike the rest of the world who constantly reject Jesus,
we have come to believe in Jesus and see in him the cornerstone of life. And
our Faith in Jesus is well rewarded by our accomplishments in life. As Jesus
says: “He who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater
works than these will he do.” John 14:12.
In
conclusion, the message for today is straightforward. If Jesus is truly in your
life, then you have no reason to fear or be worried any longer, not even death
can frighten you. You live life to the fullest and you operate as a priest in
God’s house.
Let us
pray: Lord Jesus, draw me nearer to you everyday. Amen
Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live
Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (5th Sunday
of Easter. Year A. Bible Study: Acts 6:1-11, 1st Peter 2:4-9 and
John 14:1-12).
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