In our liturgy on this 5th Sunday of Easter, we have a lot of lessons that will enrich our lives as followers of Christ. This is seen in all the readings for this Sunday and also from the response to the psalm. God has empowered all of us as his children, to bear witness to him to the ends of the earth. The question is, do we believe we have what it takes to accomplish this wonderful task given to all God’s children?

There was a challenge in the Christian community in today’s 1st reading from the Acts of the Apostle, and the Apostles did not waste time in responding to the situation. They delegated seven men of repute from among the people to attend to their request; while the Apostles concentrated on the preaching of the word of God. There is a lot for us to learn from the action of the Apostles as Christians in our own time. The injustice suffered by the widows does not affect them directly, but they responded promptly to the complaint that was brought to them. Their action challenges us as Christians, to listen and respond to the challenges facing our brothers and sisters in one way or the other; whether it affects us directly or not. It is easier for people to serve God when they are not starving or weighed down by situations that overwhelms them. Let us try to respond promptly to the challenging situation facing other people in our own little ways. It doesn’t have to affect you directly before you do something to better the other person’s situation. This is very important today in our world; especially with the challenges presented by the corona virus pandemic. People have lost their jobs, people are starving and some others are infected.

It is on this note that the other readings becomes a great source of strength to us. The response to the psalm says-may your merciful love be upon us, as we hope in you o Lord. As people of God, we trust in the mercy of God to intervene and heal our world. In the gospel reading, the words of Jesus should be a source of great strength to all of us. He says, “let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me”. The corona virus pandemic has changed a lot of things in the world, and people are worried about life after the pandemic. It is a source of great concern and worry all over the world. Amidst all the uncertainty facing us today in the world, we have to trust in God and believe in the promises in his word. He is a faithful God and never disappoints all those who trust in him; in difficult moments such as we presently have in the world. He is a covenant keeping God and he fulfils all his promises.

The assertion of St. Peter in the 2nd reading, reminds us about who we truly are as children of God. We are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Gods own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”. This is who God says we are, let us be conscious of it and allow this to guide our actions and lives at all times. We are privileged people as children of God. Let us do all within our means to ensure that we take this good news to the ends of the earth and make our life, family and the world a better place for all of us.

Always remember that you have a mandate to carry out for God who has called you out of darkness into his own wonderful light. The big question is, are you doing it already? If yes, God be praised. But if no, we can resolve to begin today. It is never too late to begin with God. Make that step of faith and see God take it up from there. This decision, will lead us to a true knowledge of who Christ truly is to us and in our life.

May God grant us the grace to make this true step of faith. Peace be with you. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year A, by Fr. Jude Ifezime, C.S.Sp 08.05.2020