HOMILY OF THE 6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER: YEAR C
HOMILY THEME: LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED
BY: Fr Peter Gabriel Okon
Acts 15,1-2,22-29; Revelation 21,10-14, 22-23; John 14, 23-29
The readings today takes us through a very intriguing and challenging times for the Early Church. Here we see how the Apostles guided by the Holy Spirit resolved the tension between the Jewish and Gentile Christians and this has become a model for us, a mirror reflecting how we ought to go through our own challenging times and moments of crisis, be it material, marital, pastoral, vocational or spiritual.
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The first reading from Acts of the Apostles gives a step by step procedure undertaken by the Early Church to handle the crisis which threatened the very soul of the Church. What was the crisis about? Some unauthorized and “zealous” preachers who were Jewish converts troubled and unsettled the Gentile converts to the faith by stating: “unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses you cannot be saved”(Acts 15:1). This bordered and unsettled the new converts creating tension and confusion amongst the people. They were turning a sign of an Old Testament covenant into a universal law for all Christians.
However, let us reflect on how the early Church handled the matter and learn the lessons thereof. Firstly, the community concerned communicated the leadership of the Church in Jerusalem -Peter, the other Apostles and elders. No decision was taken arbitrarily, showing union and communion with the universal Church and respect to the Apostolic tradition and succession, translating to obedience to Christ, who is the invisible head of the Church. The Apostles themselves convoked a council to deal with the issue, which is the first council of the Church, The Jerusalem council – 50AD.
At the council, the Apostles prayed, acknowledging the Holy Spirit and invoking same for guidance before deciding. They focused on the essentials and not accidents of the matter, not to give room for sentiments but to protect the Church’s interest and unity. Admonished both the Jewish and Gentile Christians to avoid whatever is sinful. Not being circumcised is not a sin, thus Christians are at liberty to be circumcised or not. “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials; that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell”.(Acts 15:28-29).
Turning to the Gospel, our Lord Jesus Christ at His farewell address, made two promises, firstly He promised the Holy Spirit. Note that the Holy Spirit will not bring new teachings to contradict that taught by Jesus Christ, rather it is to clarify, deepen and strengthen the Church to keep the teachings and commands given by the Father through Jesus Christ. This expresses the unity of purpose in the Trinity and such is to be seen in the Church – the body of Christ. Jesus equally promises his peace. This peace is rooted in love and relationship, not as the world gives. His peace calms all fears, soothes troubling hearts and restores hope. With this in mind, we are invited to abide in Him and to allow His teachings to shape our lives and bring us peace.
Beloved in Christ, just as the early Church resolved peacefully the tensions in the Church, by going back to source and invoking the Holy Spirit to guide, let us at every moment of life challenging situations always remember that the Holy Spirit is still at work in the Church and our world as promised by Christ and so implore the Holy Spirit to take control so that our hearts may no more be troubled but may experience the peace of Christ. Like the early Church, may we continue to live in union and communion with Christ, the head of the Church through obedience to his commands.
Jesus admonished his disciples to remember his words, we pray that guided by the Holy Spirit, we may at all times hearken to the words of Christ our Lord and come to experience His peace through Christ our Lord Amen.
Wishing you a blessed Sunday.
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