HOMILIES

Dear Audience,
For better understanding of the spiritual message behind this homily I kindly remind you to first read and contemplate the biblical texts before reading or listening to my preaching - a human reflection on the Word of God!

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year C)

May 5, 2013

5604

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First Reading

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (15:1-2, 22-29)

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved." Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. The apostles and elders, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers.

This is the letter delivered by them: "The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. Since we have heard that some of our number who went out without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey the same message by word of mouth: "It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell."

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms of David (67:2-3, 5, 6, 8)

(R) O God, let all the nations praise you!

May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon earth; among all nations, your salvation. (R)

May the nations be glad and exult because you rule the peoples in equity; the nations on the earth you guide. (R)

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! (R)

Second Reading

A reading from the Book of Revelation (21:10-14, 22-23)

The angel took me in spirit to a great high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites. There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.

(P) The word of the Lord.
(R) Thanks be to God.

Gospel

Gospel Acclamation

(R) Alleluia, alleluia!

Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him. (R)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (14:23-29)

Jesus said to his disciples: "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me."

"I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me tell you, "I am going away and I will come back to you." If you love me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe."

(P) The Gospel of the Lord.
(R) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

There is an interesting story of a family of turtles. The family went on a picnic. It took them seven years to prepare for the outing. The family left home, searching for a suitable place. During the second year of their journey, they found a place. For about six months they worked at clearing the area, unpacking the picnic basket, and completing the arrangement. They then discovered, however, that they had forgotten the salt. A picnic without salt would be a disaster, they all agreed. After a lengthy discussion, the youngest turtle was chosen to retrieve the salt from home. Although he was the fastest of the slow-moving turtles, the little turtle whined, cried, and wobbled in his shell. He agreed to go only on one condition: that no one would eat until he returned. The family consented and the little turtle left. Three years passed, and the little turtle had not returned. Five years. Six years. Then in the seventh year of his absence, the eldest turtle could no longer contain his hunger. He announced that he was going to eat and began to unwrap a sandwich. At that point, the little turtle popped out from behind a tree shouting, "See! I knew that you wouldn't wait! Now, I am not going to get the salt. Someone else should go."

Seven years of anger, selfishness, pretension, suspicion, distrust, worry and anxiety for the turtles. Many of us perhaps are living like these turtles and are consequently frustrated by the lack of peace. True peace comes only from God and it comes with awareness, acceptance, detachment, surrender, sacrifice, compassion, healing, forgiveness, trust and faith in God. Today's gospel is a part of a farewell discourse given by Jesus to his disciples after his last supper with them. They had been with Jesus as he preached to people, forgave sinners and performed miracles. Now he had gathered them to prepare them for his death. When they heard Jesus say that he was going away, they became anxious and greatly distressed. Jesus knowing their worry and fear comforted them with his greeting and farewell gift of peace. The peace of Jesus Christ is for all. He said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." In his message Jesus clearly defines the kind of peace He gives us. He says, "Not as the world gives."

We know how the world tries to bring about peace. It is through law and order; power and force; possessions and wealth. For the world, the absence of conflict, tension, trouble and suffering is peace. But God brings us peace by coming to us, by loving us and by abiding in us. It is through humility and surrender; healing and forgiveness, compassion and love that we can feel the peace of Christ. The presence of the divine with us is peace. To have this peace he gives us the Holy Spirit to teach us, guide us and counsel us. The Spirit and Peace become one reality. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is peace. Even in the midst of pain, suffering, poverty, hardships, conflicts and loss, God's peace can be obtained. In today's first reading, we read how with the guidance of the Holy Spirit the disciples were able to address the dissensions and disputes and bring peace to the early Christian community. The apostles and elders of the Church encouraged the community to avoid discord and conflicts over small and trivial matters and instead to be concerned with the things which will enrich their faith and bring unity and peace.

Jesus says that God's peace is given only to those who love him and keep his words. Certainly, all of us want peace. We want peace in our homes, peace in our relationships, peace in our communities and peace in the world. But do we try to find the peace through the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ? Or do we get frustrated and disappointed with his demands of sacrifice for the sake of God's peace? Jesus says, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and will come to him, and make our dwelling with him." In other words as said in the book of Job (22:21): when we make peace with Him, we are reconciled to Him, all our peace and happiness will be restored to us and it will remain with us forever. When we conform to his ways in our words, thoughts and actions and when we are faithful to him we will experience peace.

Friends, what is troubling you today? Is it your health, finances, family, friends or the lack of friends, marriage, work or unemployment, or sin? Whatever the circumstance you are in today, the words of Jesus are a great comfort to us. He has given us his Holy Spirit to help us in our efforts. We do not have to fear anything. Whenever we find ourselves in the dark or in the storms of life, he offers a peace which conquers our fears and anxieties. With our love for the Lord and trust in his promise, let us surrender ourselves to Him.

Let us pray - Father, we thank you for the Holy Spirit who guides us and calms our fears. May no circumstance, trouble, or anxiety rob us of the peace which surpasses all understanding! May we always reside in your peace by believing your word and by doing your will!

(P) Amen.

God Bless You!

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