HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK OF EASTER
THEME: Jesus is the light, that has come into the world.
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 11 2022
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Acts 12:24-13:5
Psalm 66:2-3,5-6,8
John 12:44-50
*FROM THE FIRST READING*
Today’s first reading is the moment when the gospel makes the first significant spread westwards from the land of Israel, to the island of Cyprus. It was the generosity of a church in Syria, to the north of Israel, that made this possible. The church of Antioch, in response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, set aside two of their own leading members for this mission, Barnabas and Saul. They allowed themselves to become poorer so that others would be enriched. This was the pattern of Jesus’ own life. Paul in one of his subsequent letters will say of Jesus that ‘though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich’.
*FROM THE GOSPEL READING*
In the gospel reading, Jesus says that he came as light into the world so that others might not stay in the dark any more. Whenever the pattern of Jesus’ life becomes the pattern of our lives, then his light continues to shine through us.
*CONCLUSION*
Dear brethrens, Jesus emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, so that we all might have life and have it to the full. This is to be the pattern of our own lives too. We all have some gift or grace that we can give away so that others might live more fully in some way. When we let go in this way, after the example of the church in Antioch, we not only make others more alive but we become more alive ourselves, the Spirit grows more fully within us.
*LET US PRAY*
Good Father, you so loved the world that you gave your only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. Father, thank you for your Son. Thank you for Jesus the Word made flesh and dwelt among us. Thank you Father!
Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA