Homily for 5th Sunday of Easter, Year A
Acts 6:1-7 1 Peter 2:4-9 John 14:1-12
Theme: A Call to Witness
In our liturgy on this fifth Sunday of Easter, we have a lot of lessons that will enrich our lives as followers of Christ. First to take note of is that God has empowered all of us as his children, to bear witness to him to the ends of the earth. However, in carrying this task, we should be aware that there would be human challenges on the way. In the readings we have for this Sunday we see some of these challenges. The maturity exhibited by the apostles is worthy of emulation. Today, a lot of our Christian communities are faced with different human challenges. The question is how do we handle them? 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. Let us try to respond promptly to the challenging situation facing other people in our own little ways.
It is on this note that the other readings become 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 uncertainties facing us today in the world, we must 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 second reading reminds us about who we truly are as children of God. We are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”. This is who God says we are. Therefore, let us be conscious of it and allow this to always guide our actions and lives. 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 lives, families, 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 ready? If yes, God be praised! But if no, you 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 lives. May the Lord bless his words in our hearts, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you!