Homily for Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter Year A (2)




Homily for Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter Year A

Theme: Selfless Vocation

By: Fr Emmanuel Muodebelu C.s.sp

 

Homily for Friday April 24 2020

(Acts 5:34-42; John 6:1-15).

The early disciples rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name of Jesus. And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

My question is, can we the modern Christians rejoice because we suffer for the name of Jesus, or for the love of our neighbours? or do we say it is not our portion, that that is not why we are called? How many Priests, pastors and men of God are willing to take up a difficult mission in the name of God? The faith we received came as a result of other people’s blood and suffering. Many suffered martyrdom in order to spread the faith. They did it happily because they were convinced of what they preached not minding any material gain. Offcourse, their sacrifices did not go unrewarded. The Church celebrates them because their names are in the book of life. The modern theologians see cross-less Christianity and acquiring of material wealth as a sign of God’s blessings therefore, suffering is not Christian dorm.

Brethren, Jesus needed to pray and rest but the crowd was much. This crowd, some of them slept over and others two days seeking for Christ. They were tired and hungry but never complained or withdrew. That was why Jesus had to sacrifice His private time to attend to the people. He asked Philip, “How are we to buy bread so that these people will eat?” He had to sacrifice His time and rest in order to quench their hunger. He did it to show the level of compassion He has for them. Beloved, there is no amount of sacrifice made for Jesus Christ that goes unrewarded.

Friends in Christ, our vocation as Christians is nothing but a call to the cross. It is a call for sacrifice. It is a call to devote ourselves to the service of God and the entire humanity. The major question we can ask ourselves today is, “what is the source of our joy? Is it from our selfless sacrifice towards the Gospel and Church of Christ ? or towards what we acquire from the Church of Christ ? The Alleluia Response from Matthew 4:4b reminds us that, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Therefore, let us make Jesus and the early Christians our models in sowing the seed of the Gospel. Their sacrifice was not in vain therefore, ours will never be in vain. Let us follow Jesus in our difficult and good times. He knows our problems and can take care of us as He did to the multitude who followed Him. Either Jesus or nothing. Jesus is my all. Good morning.

Fr Emmanuel Muodebelu C.s.sp

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