HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK OF EASTER
THEME: Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you.
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
HOMILY FOR SATURDAY MAY 21 2022
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Acts 16:1-10
Psalm 99:1-3,5
John 15:18-21
*FROM THE FIRST READING*
The first reading of today, gives us a very positive picture of Paul’s ministry in what is now Turkey. Luke, the author, tells us that ‘the churches grew in faith, as well as growing daily in numbers’. They were growing in both quality and numbers. Paul reaches Troas which is on the north-west coast of modern day Turkey, and there he has a dream in which he hears the people of Macedonia, in Northern Greece, call out to him to preach the gospel among them. Paul immediately makes plans to cross from what we would call today Asia, Turkey, to Europe, Greece. This is the moment when the gospel reaches Europe for the first time, probably less than twenty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
*FROM THE GOSPEL READING*
In the gospel reading this morning Jesus tells his disciples on the night before he died that they can expect the same hatred from the world that he himself has experienced. In that regard, as in others, he remarks that a ‘servant is not greater than his master.
*CONCLUSION*
Dear brethrens, Jesus warns us today, when He said: “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first…. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you,. What does Jesus mean when he says “the world?” The “world” in Scripture refers to that society of people who are hostile towards God and opposed to His will. When Jesus talks of persecutions also, He was referring to the sufferings and persecutions His disciples would undergo in proclaiming His teachings. The “world” that rejects Jesus and His disciples can expect the same treatment. Jesus leaves no middle ground for his followers. We are either for Him or against Him, for His kingdom of light or for the kingdom of darkness.
*LET US PRAY*
Dear Lord, I ask for the grace to follow you boldly and courageously by speaking your truth rather than retreating into darkness. Thank you for the sacraments and their work in my life. Help me unite myself ever more closely to you in my prayer each and every day so that I can live as your faithful friend and disciple in all that I do. Bless me Father through your Son our Lord. Amen.
Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA