Sunday Homily for 5th Sunday of Easter year A - 7 May 2023

Conflict management and organisational development – not words that you would expect to hear in the Bible. But that’s precisely what the readings on this Fifth Sunday of Easter Year A present before us. 

In the first reading taken from the Acts of the Apostles, we witness the beginnings of friction in the early church community. After Pentecost, the apostles were completely given in to the ministry of preaching and healing and they were witnessing mass conversions much to the chagrin of the Jewish authorities. The Hellenists were immigrant Greek-speaking Christians who had adopted elements of Greek culture.

The church had established a system of daily distribution to provide for widows and since the believers had pooled their resources there shouldn’t have been a problem. However, the Greek believers thought that the church was discriminating against their widows in the daily distribution. This discrimination could be financial or perhaps even social – related to the distribution of responsibility and honour between the local ‘Hebrew’ women and the immigrant ‘Hellenists’.

The apostles had to prioritize the various tasks that faced them as the church grew in numbers. In keeping with the commission of Jesus, the apostles chose their primary calling – the proclamation of the Gospel and prayer. They choose seven others who would look into the matter of daily distribution. Interestingly, all seven have Greek and not Hebrew names. This narrative reminds us of the story of Moses and his father-in-law Jethro in Exodus 18 where Jethro advises Moses to appoint others who would assist him in his task as a judge. 

The apostles stated three criteria to be used in selecting the seven men: First, they were to be “men of good standing”, men of integrity. Second, they were to be “full of the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is instrumental in following the will of God. Third, they must be “full of wisdom.” Wisdom is essential to choose good and avoiding evil.

One important message that we get from this reading is that we must not compare ourselves with others as different people have been blessed with different skills and talents. Not all are called to be preachers and healers. Some of us are called to work behind the scenes.  We, therefore, need to discern what God is asking us to do. We need to honour the gifts that God has given and be faithful to what God asks of us. Today would be a good day to thank all those who work quietly behind the scenes so that our lives are comfortable. A second important lesson is that it is ok to ask for help. We must not try to do all things every time by ourselves.

The second reading taken from the First Letter of Peter introduces a new metaphor – living stones. The verses invite the Christians to come to Jesus the living stone. By coming to him who is rejected by the mortals, the Christians themselves become like stones and they can let themselves be built into a spiritual household. By participating and sharing in the life of Jesus, the Church becomes a new household. In this way, the Christians also become a corporate body of priests forming a holy priesthood offering their lives of faith and love to God as spiritual sacrifices. We have three citations from the OT which speak of a stone namely Is 28:16 which speaks of a foundation stone for those who believe. Is 8:14 which speaks of a stone which becomes a stumbling one for those who do not believe and Ps 118:22 which neutrally speaks of the stone. Thus, this stone is capable of becoming either a foundation stone or a stumbling block depending on whether those who come to it believe in it or not. This stone refers to Jesus Christ who is very precious to the Christians who believe. Christians must base their life of discipleship on Jesus himself. The latter part of the reading addresses the Christians as the chosen people using four titles of Israel from the Old Testament namely a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God’s own people.  These titles indicate the unique dignity of the Christians. This dignity is come about because God has called them from darkness to light and the Christians must proclaim the mighty deeds of God.

The gospel taken from John, is part of the farewell address at the last supper. Jesus has already washed the feet of the disciples and has foretold the betrayal by Judas and Peter’s denial. Jesus begins by reassuring his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me”. While Jesus acknowledges the disciples’ fear he calls them to faith instead of making their fear the focus. Have there been times when you have advised your friends saying, ‘Do not worry’, perhaps a better thing to say would be “Believe in Jesus”. Faith is Jesus can triumph over fear.

Jesus then tells the disciples, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” While we generally associate this as being synonymous with heaven, the Greek verb meno is used more to describe close relationships. Jesus has an intimate relationship with the Father and promises that we too will share in this relationship. Jesus further states that the disciples do not need anything else to know the Father as He is the way, and the truth, and the life. How is Jesus the Way? By being born as a human being Jesus makes it possible for us to know the Father. His words and teachings, his life of mercy and compassion, and his commitment and obedience to the Father are how Jesus shows that He is the Way. How is Jesus the Truth? Jesus reveals to us the true being of God, only in Christ do we know who God truly is. The cross is the biggest moment of truth – it reveals God’s response of love and forgiveness for sinful humankind. And finally, Jesus is the strength and nourishment that is required for the long journey that is our spiritual Life. The Mission of Jesus continues even today as a believer shares in His resurrected life. Every sacrament is an encounter with the Risen Lord.

Jesus reiterates the close relationship he has with the Father by stating that ‘I am in the Father and the Father is in me.’ Jesus’ mission was to reveal who God is. Jesus is the fullness of revelation. Just as Jesus reveals the Father, we too are called to show others who God is. Let us spend some time today reflecting on our lives and seeing if we reveal God to others. We must also reflect on our relationship with God. Am I growing closer to God or am I going farther away from God or am I stuck in between? May God give us the grace to recognise and cherish our gifts and talents and use them to reveal God in and through our lives. Take care and God bless.