HOMILY OF 24TH FRIDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
HOMILY OF 24TH FRIDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Ps. 17:1,6-8,15, Luke 8:1-3
Today’s first reading, Paul’s initial counter to the Corinthian challenge to the resurrection of Jesus by some community members, follows immediately after his very telling witness on the resurrection appearances and how Jesus manifested and showed himself to his apostles and disciples after he was raised from the dead.
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Paul reaffirms the centrality of the resurrection of Jesus to the Christian faith. Early Church kerygma and indeed our proclamation of the Church’s faith today is centered on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, the Paschal Mystery. If this falls apart, our faith loses its foundations. Upon that foundation rests the belief that just as the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead, so shall disciples, who live and die believing in him, be raised from the dead, with Jesus leading the way, thus first fruits. Where he has gone, we hope to follow, if we remain enduringly faithful. That was the faith, reassurance and conviction behind the martyrdom of the Korean saints that we celebrate today; many of whom were martyred during the persecutions of the 19th Century, precisely, between 1839 and 1867. Their faith in the resurrection strengthened their resolve to die for Christ, despite the painful experience to which they were subjected. In today’s gospel, we are given a very important information by St. Luke, an information that people often take for granted. That is, that Jesus had women disciples, some of whom were named in the text. These were an essential part of his journeys and ministry, and they participated actively in his ministry. They served and provided for Jesus’ and his apostles’ ministry and mission out of their own resources. The role of women as journeying companions of the Lord must be taken seriously because we need to have them as integral parts of the mission of the Church every time and everywhere. Have you ever imagined what our churches would look like if women did not come to church at all; especially since many men and children come because wives and mothers want them there? It’s a good day to thank all the women, religious and female Christ’s lay faithful for their immense support for Christ and his Church; and to note that they must not relent in the efforts to make their impact felt. We love your presence and we need you for the Church to be complete.
Lord, bless all women, wives, mothers and religious in our Church. Raise us all to a new life in Christ. Amen.
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