Sunday Homily for 6th Sunday of Easter year A - 14 May 2023

 

My dear friends on this sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A the readings focus on the role of the Holy Spirit and the universal nature of the Church.

Philip the Evangelist was one of the seven men chosen to take care of the administrative tasks. In the 1st reading taken from the Acts of the Apostles, we see that though Philip was successful in his preaching to the Samaritans, the Holy Spirit didn’t descend on them. It leaves us wondering what went wrong with their baptism. Was it necessary for Peter and John to be present there?

As the text itself doesn’t offer any explanations we need to analyse the text in its context to explore some possible answers. Historically, the Jews and Samaritans were not on friendly terms as the Jews considered the Samaritans impure after Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and repopulated the area with foreigners.

We need to keep in mind that this reading is set at a time when the early church believed that Jesus was the Messiah only for the Jews and therefore there was surely some scepticism when they heard that Philip’s preaching was accepted in Samaria. So one way to understand the visit of Peter and John to Samaria is that it was to ensure that the conversion of outsiders like the Samaritans was reconcilable or compatible with Jesus’ proclamation. The presence of Peter and John kept the early church unified. If the church in Samaria had begun on its own, with no connection to the church in Jerusalem it would be looked at as a separate sect. Therefore, Peter and John, apostles and Jews from Jerusalem needed to be present to witness the gift of the Spirit given to the Samaritans. They were eyewitnesses. Their testimony prevented the early church from immediately dividing into different sects.

The takeaway for us from this reading is that we cannot place limitations on the working of God. The Gospel has no barriers and we must not put barriers to it. The reading is an invitation to reconciliation, peace and unity. The Holy Spirit doesn’t differentiate based on race, culture or gender. The reading is also a call to dialogue with people of other faiths. The Vatican Two documents stress the need for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism. We need to ask ourselves if we have any prejudice against those who do not share our faith. In the eyes of God, every human person is a child of God. Are we able to treat each other with the same love and respect?

The second reading taken from the first letter of Peter is a part of the text on suffering for doing right. The text praises those who suffer for doing what is good because through such suffering the Christians are participating in the redemptive struggle of God. The Christians are exhorted not to fear the human powers and they are instructed to be ready to make a defence for their hope i.e. their faith. This shows that Christianity is not only an experience and a way of life, but it also has a rationale that could be reflected upon and communicated. This communication which is a response to the challenge from outside must be done compassionately because every human being is God’s creation. This verse also adds that Christians should have a clear conscience. Here conscience refers to consciousness or awareness of God leading to the right judgement and action. Good conduct in Christ refers to a life thoroughly rooted in Christ which can withstand pressure to conform and will put others to shame. The concluding verses comment on suffering. Suffering in itself has no value. If someone has to suffer for the wrong behaviour, then they cannot win any credit. Only suffering for the sake of doing what is good can be salvific.   

The passage taken from the Gospel of John is a continuation of last week’s reading on the farewell discourse of Jesus preparing his disciples for his departure. There are two central themes in the reading – Love and the Holy Spirit. Jesus declares that if his disciples love him, they will keep his commandments. In the gospel of John, Jesus gives only a single commandment and it occurs in the previous chapter, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13:34-35). He reiterates this in the chapter just after today's reading, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:12-13). We need to keep in mind that the Greek word used here for love is agape which is not a sentimental feeling but a conscious decision to love the other.

The second theme is that of the Holy Spirit. The word that is generally used for Spirit is pneuma but the text today has Jesus using the word parakletos literally "the One called alongside”. This is a personal designation picturing a Spirit called in after Jesus' departure as an "advocate" to defend Christians and a "consoler" to comfort them. Just as Jesus received everything from the Father and while on earth is the way to know the Father in heaven, so when Jesus goes to heaven, the Paraclete who receives everything from Jesus is the way to know Jesus. Jesus is the divine Word incarnate in one human being whose stay in this world with his followers was temporary; the Paraclete does not become incarnate but dwells in all who love Jesus and keep his commandments and is with them forever (14:15-16). The Holy Spirit is the sanctifier, who was sent by the Father and Son to complete the work of the Son. The Holy Spirit enables us as Christians to become fruitful members of the Body of Christ, which is the Church. The Spirit dwelling within us can and does transform our lives, the Church and the world. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses of Jesus.

These two themes highlight two important questions that we need to reflect upon this week. First, was I a loving person today? Not only in my dealing with my family, friends and colleagues but also in my interactions with the others like the watchman of my building, the domestic help or the salesman at the store. Was I a loving person today in all my interactions with others?

And second, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in my life? We generally address our prayers to God the Father or Jesus and we overlook the role of the Holy Spirit as our advocate and consoler - as one who is constantly by our side. Let us this week pray for the grace to be more aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and look to the Spirit in helping us in making decisions in our lives. May God bless us all.