6TH SUNDAY HOMILY IN EASTERTIDE — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: THE DISCIPLINE OF LOVE AND THE LIFE OF THE SPIRIT!
BY: Fr. Casmir Nkamuke
Act 8: 5 – 17, 1 Pet 3: 15 – 18, Jn 14: 15 – 21
As we prepare for the celebration of the ascension of Christ into heaven, the Church presents us with Christ´s parting words to his disciples. Today, the liturgy presents us with Christ´s command to his followers to express their love for him by observing his commandments, and his promise to send us the Holy Spirit of truth to guide us on our journey towards salvation and redemption.
The first reading of today shows is the manifestation of life in the Spirit. The Samaritans who were enemies of the Jews, received the Good News through Philip a Hellenistic Jew appointed a deacon. They also received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. That these faithful received the gift of the Holy Spirit shows that there is no barrier on division in the expression of God’s love. The Gospel gives joy and believers must make effort to make all the earth cry out with joy to the Lord without any form of discrimination.
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In today’s second reading, St. Peter reminds us that it is through our love for God and for each other that will be able to explain the goal of our Christian striving and the reason for our hope of salvation to the ignorant. Such love will also guide us in persevering in faith amidst trials, tribulations and persecution.
Today’s Gospel begins with the maxim, “If you love me, keep my commandments!” This commandment is the commandment to love as we see in John 13:34, and 15:17. If we love God, we will keep his commandment which is love for each other as Christ love, a love that bears no grudge, a love that is ready to make sacrifices. By loving one another, we attract God’s love to our lives, we become truly the disciples of Jesus, we show that we love Jesus, and we realize the coming of the Holy Spirit. Two words are used to describe the Holy Spirit in today’s gospel. He is the “Paraclete” who walks along with us to give us all the necessary comfort and strength to persevere in times of trials. He is the “Advocate” who bears witness to the gospel we proclaim, and who intercedes for us.
Beloved in the Lord, love is the most popular used word, yet the scarcest commodity in our society. The world is in turmoil today because many fail to heed the commandment to love. Our vocation as God´s children is a call to love, and that it is through the manifestation of Christlike love that we are guaranteed of the guidance of the Holy Spirit of truth in our society. We need love in our land and in the world. With love, peace reigns, our commonwealth is equitably distributed, justice and truth prevail, and violence and exploitation are extinguished.
As we resolve to show God’s love to the world, we pray that the Holy Spirit our advocate, the Spirit of truth, accompanies us in our journey and give us the wisdom and courage to be true apologists of the gospel.
Happy Sunday!
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