Homily Fifth Sunday of Easter Year A Following Jesus
Homily
Fifth Sunday of Easter Year A
Reading
1: The first five chapters of Acts reflect the ideal community. Everyone was of
one mind and heart. It was like the honeymoon phase of the life of the early community.
In chapter 6 we see that reality set in. We have the first major problem within
the community of believers. Partiality was shown to the Hebrew widows and the
Greek widows felt neglected.
This
was the first major divisive element within. They had already experienced
persecution externally. The Apostles chose to approach this internal strife the
same way they did the external threats. They chose to be faithful to God’s call
to them: to pray and proclaim the Word of salvation.
They
recognized they could not do everything for the community. Thus, they delegated
their authority and ministry to others in this matter. Under the guidance of
the Holy Spirit, the community chose seven men, who were filled with the Spirit
and wisdom. These were ordained through the prayer and the laying on of hands
by the Apostles. These were the first deacons.
Because
the Apostles were obedient to the direction of the Lord as they continual to
lead the community, the number of believers increased. We learn from this first
reading: obedience to the Lord and the need to follow the lead of the Holy
Spirit in the decisions we make.
Gospel:
This reading is rich in insight. 1) Because of our encounter with Christ we are
called to put our faith in him. He has promised us to be with him. He goes
before us to prepare a place for us in heaven. As a result we are to keep our
true destiny in sight always before us. Do you believe?
2)
How are we to express our faith? Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
Because he is the way, we are called to follow him as his disciples. Because he
is the truth, we are called to live according to the teachings he has given us,
especially the command to love. Because he is the life, we are called to share
in his Divine Life, letting nothing separate us form God.
3)
The way to know and see the Father is to know and live in Jesus. He reveals the
Father to us through his love and actions. 4) To believe in Jesus means to do
the works he did and far greater. Our relationship with Jesus is not a fuzzy,
emotional feeling. Because of our faith in Jesus, we are called to follow the
lead of the Holy Spirit, as he did, and manifest the Father’s love, as he did.
We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit. Now we need to step out of the boat
like Peter and act in the name of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reading
2: As believers, who are we? We have been called out of the darkness of sin
into the life of grace. How? We have had an encounter with Christ. First,
Christ encountered us through the Sacrament of Baptism. We were reborn. It was
Christ who chose us and called us to be a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people of his own.
Second,
what should our response be? We are called to offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus. Isn’t this what we are doing as we come
together to celebrate this Eucharist? Third, we are also called to announce the
praises of him, who has made a difference in our lives. In doing so, we
recognize who we are in Christ as we seek to live accordingly.
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