Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday (A) (31st May, 2020)

Homily (Reflection) for the Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday (A) (31^st May, 2020) on the Gospel and the Solemnity

Acts 2:1-11;

Ps 103:1.24.29-31.34 (R.V.30);
1Cor 12:3-7.12-13;
Jn 20:19-23.

Today, it is not uncommon to see people fighting with words either in the form of spoken words or in the form of songs. The songs in question, I strongly believe the composers had in mind while working on them to find means of giving praise to whom it is due. But they have been turned into something else. One might wonder why people turn these means of praising God into weapons for fighting each other.

Topic: Holy Spirit: For or Against Us?

When some hear the name, Holy Spirit (Ghost), their minds normally think of a veritable weapon of mass destruction.  Hence, the expression “Holy Ghost Fire!” is so common these days. Even as I work on this homily, I heard some of the people drinking in one of the bars near the presbytery where we live shout ‘Holy Ghost – Fire!’ for a good number of times. Sometimes people including ordained ministers threaten children of God with the Holy Ghost fire – ‘I will call down Holy Ghost fire on you,’ just like those who worship idols threaten others with their idols. One of the things bothering me is whether this Spirit is still the same with the one Jesus promised that He would send. Or is the work of the Holy Spirit to destroy us?

Today is the solemnity of Pentecost, the commemoration of the decent of the Holy Spirit on the Church, which is the fulfilment of Christ’s promise. It is good for us to understand a little the Holy Spirit who’s filling of and remaining with the Church we celebrate today. This will help us know when we invoke the spirit of God or some other spirit/s knowingly or unknowingly. Let us look at some of the things the scripture tells us about Him. Holy Spirit is God’s gift to those who request for it, cf. Lk. 11:13; the power from above and is very important to every Christian, cf. Lk. 24: 49. We need the Holy Spirit in everything we do even to pray to God, cf. Rom 8:26; the Spirit that will be with us always, cf. Mtt. 28:20; Jn 14:16. Holy Spirit is God’s gift to those who keeps His commandments, cf. Acts 5:32. The Spirit of Truth, cf. Jn. 16:13; our Advocate, cf. Jn 16:7; the Counsellor, cf. Jn 14:26, and so on and on. Holy Spirit is sometimes called the Spirit of Christ, cf. Rom 8:9; 1Pt 1:11.

Before telling His disciples to receive the Holy Spirit in today’s gospel, Jesus first prayed a number of times that they may have peace, cf. Jn. 20:19, 21. This prayer or greeting “Peace be with you” means ‘May God give you every good thing’. Peace is a sine qua non for the reception of the Holy Spirit. We must look for peace if we want the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples His Spirit that will be with and for them, cf. Jn. 14: 15-31. Many who claim to possess the Holy Spirit do not. The presence of the Holy Spirit is not something that can be hidden. Those who invoke fire on others are those who either do not possess the Holy Spirit in them and as a result the fire in question therefore is not of God or those who do not understand what they possess. Holy Spirit comes principally with these gifts: “… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control ….” (Gal. 5:22-23). Can someone who possess these give out anything different from these? We give out what we have, nemo dat quod non habet.

As we try to call down fire on others, we must remember the sons of thunder (Boanerges) who asked for Jesus’ permission to call down fire from heaven. And this was denied them, cf. Lk. 9:51-56. Today, even without seeking God’s will, some send fire to everywhere and to everything. Just as the Church prays while invoking the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit has fire but this is the fire of love with which God recreates the world. It is this fire that awakened the disciples who were under the burden of the scandal of the cross and fear of the Jews, cf. Acts 2:1ff. Hence, our Lord insisted that they do not leave Jerusalem until they received the fire, cf. Lk 24:49.

So, let us celebrate with the Church today the great day of Pentecost when Christ filled the Church with the power of his Spirit and sent her out into the world to bring peace, joy and forgiveness to all mankind[1]. Today also is the birthday of the Church.

Bible Reading: Matt. Jn 14: 15-31; Jn 16:4-24; Rom 8: 1-30; Gal 5: 16-26; Col 3:1-17; Acts 2:1ff.

Thought for today: The Holy Spirit can only be given to those who are prepared for it.

Let us pray: Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of the faithful.

And enkindle in them the fire of thy love.

Send forth thy Spirit and they shall be recreated.

And thou shalt renew the face of the earth – Amen.

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[1] The Sunday Missal: A New Edition, HarperCollinsReligious, London, 1984, p.776.

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter (30th May, 2020)

Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter (30^th May, 2020) on the Gospel

 
Acts 28:16-20.30-31;
Ps 10:4-5.7. (R. cf. v. 7);
Jn 21:20-25.

Topic: Follow me (Jn 21:22).

Jesus foretold the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God in yesterday’s gospel. Peter in today’s gospel asked Jesus about the beloved apostle, John, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus replied him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!”

Just like Peter, often we are worried about the things that have nothing to do with our call. It is important to focus on the command, “Follow me!” On one’s adherence or disobedience to this lies his/her salvation and damnation.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, may nothing distract us from our call. It was not the will of God that Peter and John should die the same kind of death. Likewise, each of us is uniquely made. One should not like Peter think that his/her life will be like this or that person’s. We ought to pray with Jesus always, “...not my will but yours be done” (Lk 22:42).

Bible Reading: Matt 10:34-39.

Thought for today: Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead (Matt 8:22).

Let us pray: Lord, give us the grace to be faithful to our call to the end – Amen.

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Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter (29th May, 2020)

Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter (29^th May, 2020) on the Gospel

 
Acts 25:13-21;
Ps 102:1-2.11-12.19-20. (R. v. 19);
Jn 21:15-19.

Topic: Enough love for God.

What God requires of us is very clear: “The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all you soul, and with all your might” (Deut 6:4b-5; cf. Mk 12:29-33). God wants all to fear Him, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, and to serve Him with our whole heart and soul, cf. Deut 10:12. 26:16. 30:2. And both our survival and progress depend on our compliance, cf. Deut 30:6, 9-10.

In the Jewish culture, certain numbers mean more than amount or quantity. The number three (3) is one of them. It signifies completeness and stability.[1] And while confirming His choice of Peter as the visible head of His church, Jesus asked him three times in today’s gospel, “Do you love me?” Jesus demanded for Peter’s whole and firm love because God has no place for half-measures or part-time disciples, cf. Matt 10:37; Lk 9:62; Rev 3:16. He always give us the best and demands nothing but the best in return, cf. Jn 15:13; 1Jn 4:10.

We ought to be ever ready to submit everything to the will of God not minding the circumstances. He is demanding our whole self.

Bible Reading: Mk 12:28-34.

Thought for today: God requires your whole self.

Let us pray: God, help us to love you above every other thing including our lives – Amen.

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[1] http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/judaism-numbers/

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter (28th May, 2020)

Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter (28^th May, 2020) on the Gospel

 
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11;
Ps 15:1-2.5.7-11. (R. v.1);
Jn 17:20-26.

Topic: Knowing His name.

Today’s gospel is the concluding part of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples. The concluding verse reads, “I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” Jesus’ determination to make the Father’s name known to His disciples and the Father’s love it brings about could make one query, ‘What does it mean to know the Father’s name?’

While speaking to the Jews Jesus said, “But you have not known him; I know him... I do know him and I keep his word” (Jn 8:55). Again, the first letter of Saint John reads,

Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. Whoever says, ‘I have come to know him,’ but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist (1Jn 2:3-4).

Knowing the Father is far beyond one’s ability to say that His name is God. It demands living as His child. Hence Saint Paul condemned the attitudes of those who paraded themselves as Jews but never lived as Jews with this quotation, “For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you’” (Rom 2:24; cf. Is 52:5; Ezek 36:20-22). Whoever says that he/she knows God but does not live it out will not be saved, cf. Jas 2:14.

Bible Reading: Rom 2:17–3:8.

Thought for today: Do you really know God?

Let us pray: Lord, give us the grace to know you and to live it out – Amen.

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Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter (27th May, 2020)

Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter (27^th May, 2020) on the Gospel

 
Acts 20:28-38;
Ps 67:29-30.33-36. (R. v. 33);
Jn 17:11b-19.

Topic: Transformation by the Word.

In the Psalms, judges and rulers were referred to as gods, cf. Ps 58:1. 82:6. Jesus later explained in the gospel why they were designated as such: “it uses the word ‘gods’ of those people to whom the word of God was addressed...” (Jn 10:35, TNJB).

Today’s gospel is a continuation of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples. It reads in part,

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.

Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh, cf. Jn 1:14; Rev 19:13. As He does not belong to the world, all who received Him (the Word of God) are transformed into new creatures, cf. Jn 1:12; 2Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10. They shall all be as He is, cf. 1Jn 3:2. Hence, Jesus said that those He had given the Word do not belong to the world as He does not belong to the world.

The Word of God in question is living and active, cf. Heb 4:12. It is spirit and life, cf. Jn 6:63. Saint Paul skilfully described it as the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, and rightly admonished all to accept it, Eph 6:17. But the word of God will not bring about the desired transformation unless one receives it as what it is, and also avoid any thing that will discredit it, cf. 1Thess 2:13; Tit 2:5; Lk 11:28. In summary, all must accept and live the word.

Bible Reading: 1Pt 2:1-10. 2Pt 2:1-22.

Thought for today: Every Christian is a new creature, cf. Col 3:10; Eph 4:24.

Let us pray: Lord, help us to be always conscious of the fact that we are new creatures and to live our lives accordingly – Amen.

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Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, P. (26th May, 2020)

Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, P. (26^th May, 2020) on the Gospel and the Memorial

 
Acts 20:17-27;
Ps 67:10-11.20-21. (R. v.33);
Jn 17:1-11a.

Saint Philip Neri was born in Florence in the year 1515. He abandoned the chance to become a businessman and moved to Rome where he devoted his life and individuality to God. Philip Neri was ordained a priest at the urging of his confessor and soon became an outstanding confessor, gifted with the knack of piercing the pretences and illusions of others. He founded a religious institute, the Oratory. His characteristic virtues were humility and gaiety. Philip Neri was a sign of contradiction, combining popularity with piety against the background of a corrupt Rome and a disinterested clergy, the whole post-Renaissance malaise. He died in the year 1595.[1]

Topic: Eternal life is God’s gift.

The Jews believed that whoever desires eternal life must work for it. Hence, the rich young man asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” (Matt 19:16; cf. Mk 10:17; Lk 18:18). A lawyer also asked the same question, cf. Lk 10:25.

And in today’s gospel which is the beginning of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples we read,

Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

However, the first letter of Saint John reads, “He who says ‘I know him’ but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1Jn 2:4). Again, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him” (Jn 3:36). And Saint Peter declared that Jesus has the words of eternal life, cf. Jn 6:68.

Dear friends, “...the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). It is important to remember always that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son, cf. 1Jn 5:11; 1Jn 5:20. Therefore, whoever desires eternal life must truly believe in Him, cf. Jn 3:16; cf. Jn 6:47. Saint Philip Neri we celebrate today is a good example for us all.

Bible Reading: Gal 6:1-10; Rom 6:15-23.

Thought for today: God has promised us eternal life, cf. 1Jn 2:25; Tit 1:2.

Let us pray: Lord, help us work out our own salvation with fear and trembling – Amen (cf. Phil 2:12).

Saint Philip Neri – Pray for us.

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[1] http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1395

Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter (25th May, 2020)

Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter (25^th May, 2020) on the Gospel

 

Acts 19:1-8;

Ps 67:2-7. (R. v.33);

Jn 16:29-33.

Topic: Christ has conquered.

In today’s gospel, Jesus’ disciples were happy that Jesus spoke plainly. This made them know that Jesus is all-knowing and also believed that He is God’s sent. Jesus foretold the impending scandal, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.” He made these known to them so that in Him they might have peace but in the world persecution. Jesus also consoled them, “But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

Even when not a single person remained with Jesus, the Father is always with Him. Jesus told us His secret, “And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him” (Jn 8:29).

God created each and every one of us ultimately to overcome the world just as Jesus did, cf. Gen 1:28. But no one can succeed without Him, cf. Jn 15:5. Hence the Psalmist confessed, “With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes” (Ps 60:12, cf. Ps 108:13).

Friends, in every circumstance let us remember that God is always with His people, cf. Matt 28:20. Again, nothing is impossible with this God who is always with us, cf. Matt 19:26; Mk 10:27; Lk 1:37. We are only to remain with Him faithfully in whatever state we are called, cf. 1Cor 7:24. And finally, remember that “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Ps 127:1).

Bible Reading: Ps 60.

Thought for today: Jesus has conquered the world.

Let us pray: May God help us recognize His works in and around us – Amen.

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Seventh Sunday of Easter, (A) (24th May, 2020)

Homily (Reflection) for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, (A) (24^th May, 2020) on the Gospel

Acts 1:12-14;

Ps 26:1.4.7-8 (R.V.13);
1Pt 4:13-16;
Jn 17:1-11.

One day a preacher asked his audience in the course of his preaching: “Who wants eternal life?” Before he could finish, every hand was up and their faces very bright. He then changed the question to, “Who wants to die?” On hearing these words, every hand was not just down but seemed too weak to move and faces gloomy.

Topic: Eternal Life Explained.

One of the topics that attract people’s attention more than any other today is any that concerns life. This however is not novel to our generation. Even during the time of Jesus, one of the questions that were repeatedly asked Jesus is on the issue of life. The Jews know that achieving eternal life involves work, cf. Matt 19:16; Lk 10:25; 18:18.

Jesus defined what eternal life is in today’s gospel, “… this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Jn 17:3). He again told us that it is the knowledge of the truth that will make one free (cf. Jn 8:32) but it is important to note that knowledge alone is not enough. We must believe in what we know. Jesus also declared:

...just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life (Jn 3:14-16; cf. Jn 5:24; 6:40, 47).

This seems like the fulfilment of the prophesy made by Isaiah and quoted in the New Testament by both Saint Paul and Saint Peter: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall; and he who believes in him will not be put to shame” (Rom 9:33, cf. 1Pt 2:6; Rom 10:11; Is 28:16).

Jesus further said, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him” (Jn 3:36). Knowledge and faith need obedience for one to enter eternal life. Saint James emphasized this in his letter thus, “… faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (Jas 2:17). Again, Jesus also declared, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven” (Matt 7:21).

Eternal life is a promise that God has made but one must hold firm to the teachings of Jesus Christ, cf. 1Jn 2:24-25. Peter and other apostles had earlier discovered this. Hence when many disciples left Jesus they did not and even when Jesus asked them whether they would go with them they replied “… Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68). Eternal life turns into spring of water in whoever takes it, cf. Jn 4:14; 7:38. But sad enough, many do not want to take this water just like the Jews who first refused it, cf. Acts 13:46.

It is important to note that for anyone to have eternal life the person must work for it. We read in the gospel, “Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal” (Jn 6:27). Again, “… he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Gal 6:8). The love of self has made many forfeit eternal life. We must remember, “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (Jn 12:25). The eternal life is in the Son – his words and sacraments especially his body and blood, cf. 1Jn 5:11. We read “he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn 6:54).

Remember that it is only those who worked for eternal life in this present can say like Jesus on the last day: “I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your presence ….” (Jn 17:4-5). Prepare for the eternal life now before it is too late.

Bible Reading: Matt 7:21-23; 19:16-30; 25:31-46; Jn 5:19-29; 8:31-38; Jas 2:14-26.

Thought for today: Do you really want to enter into eternal life?

Let us pray: Lord, Father, give us every grace that will enable us make eternal life at the end of this pilgrim here on earth and the strength to make the best use of them – Amen.

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