THAT THEY MAY BE ONE

REFLECTION FOR 7TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C

THEME: THAT THEY MAY BE ONE

R1: Acts 7:55-60

R2: Rev 22:12-14; 6-17; 20, 

Gospel: John 17:20-26_

Dear friends, today is the last Sunday before the Pentecost, when we shall receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the principal agent of mission; with the reception of the Holy Spirit, the apostles began a fearless proclamation of the gospel just as we become true witness of the gospel and soldiers of Christ by our reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. As we go about proclaiming this gospel of Christ, He prays for us (Christians) for dispensers of the gospel and those to whom the gospel is being dispensed. His prayer contains His wish, *“...that they may be one”,* (John 17:20). The unity of Christians forms the basis of today’s reflection. Unity is what we must embrace if we must preach the gospel and if we must win souls for Christ. We have the following lessons to learn from the readings.

*1. The Source of Christian Unity:* 

The basis of Christian unity is the Trinity. We become Christians after we are baptized in the name of the Trinity; Father Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is a symbol for Christian love. When we are baptised, we are commissioned to love, for God is love and love is the character of God. Baptism makes us Christian, Christ-like, God-like, hence, love is identical with our Christian character and without love there is no Christianity. 

In the gospel reading of today, Jesus prays, ‘that they may all be one . . . *EVEN AS WE ARE ONE’* (Jn 17:21.22). Jesus, in this prayer opens up for us the reality of the Trinity. ‘Even as we are one’, indicates the unity of Persons in the divine Trinity. ‘That they may be one’, is an invitation to follow the example of the Blessed Trinity, meaning, that they may love themselves as We (the Blessed Trinity) exists in love. This is the hallmark and the summary of Jesus’ teaching, “love of God and love of neighbour” (Mark 12:30-31). To love God is to love His word even when it doesn’t go favourable with our ideology and when it challenges our weaknesses and limitations. It is also to love His ministers who are the dispenser of this message. This was what the Jews and council failed to grasped when Stephen preached in the first reading, hence, they killed him. 

Dear friends, the Word of God may not always be pleasant to our taste and may not always be what we long to hear, let the love God help us to be docile always to accepting this reality especially when it becomes difficult, ‘for nothing good comes easy’ and let us not begin to compromise the truth of the gospel just to win the admiration of people and to seek our personal interests.

*2. The Fruits of Christian Unity:*

 Some time ago, an old man while approaching his death summoned his children and when they have gathered, he gave them a bundle of broom to break. As they tried after turns, they found how difficult it was to break it. Then, he gave them a stick of broom each from the bundle of the broom to break and it was very easy for the children to break the stick of broom. And he told them, “When you are united as this bundle of broom you will always succeed and you can make great achievements in life, but if you are scattered, each like the single stick of broom, you cannot achieve anything and it will be easy for the enemy to penetrate and destroy you.

Jesus, in the gospel reading says something similar to the action of this old man approaching his death. “...if they are one, the world will know the Christ you have sent and they will know that I have loved them as much as you love me” (John 17:22-23). 

Dear friends, we cannot invite people to our homes when we have set our house on fire, they will never come. People will gladly love to visit us even without our invitation when they know that we are very peaceful and friendly. Hence, the best way to preach Christ is by living well and together in love, with one mind and one heart and sharing things in common; this is the meaning of communion, and this will attract followers to Christ more than anything. They first Disciples of Christ were called Christians because they were Christ-like. Their attitude was what won the admiration of so many people who came to believe in the gospel (Act 11:26-27). We can do likewise. Let us live together and set aside our apathies and differences. ‘Together we can.’

*3. The Threat to Christian Unity:* 

In the story of the dying old man and his children as in above, the size of the broom he gave to his children will determine the volume of dirt it will sweet. The bigger the broom, the bigger the dirt it sweeps. The size of a book will also determine the energy one needs to put in reading the book. In the same way, the more united we are, the more challenge we shall face.

Dear friends, one may begin to ask why the Church faces many attacks and criticism in different ages and times. It has been proven that the Church is the most united and organised institution in the world. It is not surprising then that she faces these threats in different ages. In certain times, scientific development has threatened the Church to compromise the truth of the gospel and change some teachings which may not be fitting to some individual ideologies. Those who find no meaning in the teachings of Christ most times break away from Church and found their own churches. Others have stopped going to Church because they want the Church to preach what will favour them. In some circumstances, priests and ministers have been arrested, some imprisoned, some others killed for preaching the truth. This was the experience of Stephen in the first reading of today; persecution for preaching the gospel.

One common saying holds that *truth is bitter.* Being aware of this reality, let us not compromise the truth of the gospel or run away from preaching the truth, come what may, after all, we must all die some day. We should rather remember that Jesus will come again and very soon as read in the second reading. His coming will be to reward everyone according to what one deserves and what we preached (Rev 22:12-13). 

My friends, Christ has revealed to us everything we need to know so that we can participate in the mutual love of the Blessed Trinity. By this his prayer, he has made known to us that the nature of the Trinity is oneness (I have made known to them your name). This statement fulfils his word in Mt 11:27; “No one knows the Father except the Son and whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” He continues to make known his Father’s love to us through the Church, which he has promised to be with always, “I am with you always till the close of age” (Mt 28:20). Now that we have known God and His nature, let us emulate this divine character for that is the fulfilment of Jesus’ demand, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 5:28).

*Rev Fr Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.*

CHRISTIANITY AND CULTURAL EQUITY

HOMILY FOR 6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C

Theme: CHRISTIANITY AND CULTURAL EQUALITY

R1: Act 15:1-2.22-29, 

R2: Rev 21:10-14, 22-23, 

Gospel: John 14:23-29

Dear friends, last Sunday, Jesus, while with his disciples on the last supper told us his last wish; “Love one another.” Our love for one another will be the proof of our being his disciples. Today is already the 6th Sunday of Easter and we are confronted with the reality of Jesus’ departure from the world as he makes clear his intention to ascend to his heavenly Father. With the end of Easter, our attention will be shifted from practicing what we have learnt from him, the risen Lord, to how we shall relate with our neighbours. With the Lord’s physical absence from the world, we are to continue preaching the good news. As we go about this, we are expected to bear in mind the following lessons:

*1. Religious Equality:* 

The first reading of today presents us with the challenge faced by the early Christians.  The early Christians were made of two groups; those who had Jewish origin and those who had a pagan origin. The relationship between this two groups was not a smooth one. Those of the Jewish origin considered themselves  better Christians because of their circumcision. They insisted that  those of pagan origin or none Jews must be circumcised if they are to be Christians. This problem led to the first Jerusalem Council where the disciples decided that circumcision is not a necessary requirement for being Christian.

This speaks to all of us directly.  Sometimes we may feel that we are better than others, based on anything. Sometimes we  refuse to love others because they have a different ideology. Sometimes we  consider ourselves as the best while others are not important.  These are similar to the actions of the Jews.  However, let us know that in Christ, there is no cultural differences. No one is better than the other. The ritual observance of a particular rite does not make us better than those who have different views of life.  Let our priority be to do the will of God. This is what makes us better. 

*2. The Kingdom of God unites all believers:*

To unite with God on the last day is the desire of every Christian. Sometimes  the tendency to limit the kingdom of God and its realization to a  certain geographical location manifests itself in what we say and how we act. In the second reading of today, John gives us  a picture of what we should expect in the Kingdom of God.

In his vision,  the holy city comes from God. It has twelve gates; three on the east, three on the west, three on the north and three on the south. In that city, there was no temple and the city needed not the sun or moon for the radiant glory of the Lord lighted the city.

Friends,  God has made salvation a universal course. There are various ways through which we can go to heaven. The way to the kingdom of God is not limited to certain vocation or way of life just as a priest and religious can go to heaven, others who do other works can go to the same heaven through the way they live. First, this kingdom  is a gift from God to those who love Him.

The different gates from the four corners of the world (east, west, north and south) indicate that the kingdom of God is not limited to a certain culture or a certain group of people. There are different ways and through which one can make effort to attain this kingdom. 

*3. The Peace the World cannot give*

With the reality of the absence of Jesus which will confront the disciples in a very short time,  Jesus prepares their minds on how to overcome that challenge.  They are to remain in his love and their love for him is a direct love for the Father. Whoever loves him, God will make his home in him.

Dear friends, with the ascension of Jesus, Christians are to continue preaching the good news. To preach this, one must be exemplary in his life. Such a person must be Christ-like. The prove that God lives in us is that we do the work of God, just as Jesus' work indicated that he is in communion with the Father (Jn 10:38). 

It is those who remain in his love that he will send the Holy Spirit to fortify them in times of difficulty. The Holy Spirit makes the work of God easier and activates us for proper missionary function.

One who remains in God's love,  experiences the peace that the world cannot give. The ultimate peace is the gift of the kingdom of God which the world cannot give.

Dear friends,  let's us not loose hope, heaven awaits those who trust in God. Let's us discriminate,  we are all  the children of the same God, heading towards the same heaven. Let us pray that many who do not believe may have have a change of heart and turn towards God. 

Fr. Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

REFLECTION FOR THE 5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C

THEME: LOVE ONE ANOTHER

R1: Acts 14:21-27, 

R2: Rev 21:1-5, 

Gospel: John 13:31-35_

Traditionally, the last words and will of a dying person are usually being taken seriously. The readings of today are built on the stage of last wish and end time.  In the first reading, Paul and Barnabas, approaching the end of their first missionary journey, being moved by love visited the communities they had founded to encourage them. The second reading gives us a picture of beautiful city we shall dwell in at last if we persevere in our love for God till the end. In the gospel, Jesus, just before his agony and passion gives us his last wish: “Love one another,” this will be the sign by which we shall be known as his disciples.  The central theme that runs through the three readings is, “LOVE.”Love is one of the most mentioned words daily. Its application and usage always differ from people’s understanding. However, the readings of today clarify Jesus’ intention. Therefore, we have the following lesions:

*1. Love: The Hard Truth:*

 In a time and in a world where the word “Love”, has been bastardised and where we may not want to offend our loved ones by telling them what they may not want to hear, the first reading of today clarifies Jesus’ intention of love one another and what we must do.

The disciples; Paul and Barnabas, having established some Christian communities, and these communities having experienced the tremendous works and miracles accomplished through these peoples, told them the hard truth, “We all have to experience many hardships before we enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). This is the reality many people would not want to hear.

It is common to tell our loved ones sweet things and sweet words, however, avoiding telling them the reality of how things are means we do not understand fully the meaning of love. Love is leading our friends to the truth, that, even though we may experience many good works from God as the early Christian communities did, we should also be ready to face the other side of the coin; persecution, hatred, rejection faces, betrayal and even hardship. These things surely accompany our discipleship. When we profess this truth, we are encouraging and preparing our loved ones for the journey ahead, that, nothing good comes easy, that the road to success is never easy and that it is only after the cross that the crown will come. This clarifies one of the intentions of Christ, and the aim is for us to persevere in faith.

*2. Love: The New World:*

 It is the dream of everyone, both Christians and none Christians to have a world where we shall experience an absolute peace, free from corruption, war, violence, sickness, natural disaster and so on. The second reading of today tells us that such a world can be possible and this possibility has a divine connection, “I saw the holy city...coming down from God” (Rev 21:2).

This vision of John presents before us two possibilities, the vertical and the horizontal.

 *(a)The horizontal possibility:*

 we can attain this beautiful city ONLY when we truly display the character expected of us as Christians, that through which a disciple of Christ is known. This character is love. Love is the only the thing that can make things have a new look. When love is active, what are rotten will spring up to new life.  If we love others the way we love ourselves then there will be no war, violence and corruption in the world. The love that can make this possible is that love that is sacrificial. It is the love we give without expecting anything in return. Putting up this attitude of love is the understanding of the biblical verse that God lives among human being and He will make His home among us (Rev 21:3). And this is the fulfilment of the new commandment, love one another. It is this condition that will make us Disciples of Christ (Jn 13:35). Love is the badge we must wear. It is the identity we carry. It is the image of God upon which we are created.

 *(b) The vertical possibility:* since the horizontal dimension may be difficult because of the dubious nature of mankind, since we sometimes receive the opposite of the love we give out to others, it is God who will reward all those who have been faithful to following this His command to love even when it hurts. The reward will be, a new city, the heavily Jerusalem where our sorrows and pains will be wiped away. There, all the things we pass through for being His lovers and dispensers of love will be forgotten and we shall become the people of a new creation.

May God help us to be true dispensers of love, through Christ our Lord, Amen.

*FR CHUKWUEMEKA VINCENT LIVINUS, SMMM.*

THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP

REFLECTION FOR FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C

THEME: THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP

R1 Acts 13:14. 43-52

R2 Rev 7:9.14-17

Gospel Jn 10:27-30

Dear friends, this Sunday is called “The Good Shepherd Sunday”, because the gospel of the fourth Sunday of Easter is usually about Jesus, the good Shepherd, as recorded in the  gospel of John. The qualification of the shepherd as “good” means, there are other shepherds that may not be good. A shepherd may either be good or bad depending on his attitude towards the sheep. A good shepherd defends and lay down his life for his sheep while the bad shepherd flies in the face of danger (John 10:11-12). A sheep can also be good or bad depending on the attitude it displays towards the shepherd.  Therefore, we have the following lessons to learn today.

1. What makes us His sheep:

 Going through the gospel reading of today, we find out that what qualifies a sheep is the ability to listen and dictate the voice of its owner; “The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice...” (Jn 10:27).

Dear friends, let us know that a lot people may pretend to be shepherds. These people make different promises that may look pleasant. Most times, the aim of their promises is for selfish interests and deception. A situation like this makes the identification of the voice of the good shepherd challenging. This means that one must employ mastery to be able to identify the voice of the good shepherd in the midst of other voices. To be able to know and follow the voice of the good shepherd, one must listen to that voice as often as possible so that one can dictate when a voice that is not his calls. Therefore, let us be ready to listen to the voice of God again and again through the Bible, teachings of the Church, homilies and reflection. This will strengthen and make us masters in identifying and following the good shepherd when he calls. Being able to follow the good shepherd makes us good sheep while refusing to listen to his voice makes us bad sheep.

*2. The Challenge we may face:* 

Practically, it is not always easy to follow one’s example or imitate another without any addition. In the same way, it is not easy to follow the shepherd without a sheep wanting to go astray or move outside the shepherd’s instruction and the desire to enjoy some freedom. This desire to go away confronts everyone at some point. This represents those moments we feel uncomfortable with the truth of the gospel and the preaching of the priest, especially, when this truth confronts our weak points. 

In the first reading of today, the gospel preached by Paul and Barnabas confronted the Jews and their weak points. Some of them became very angry and jealous of these messengers of God.  They blocked their minds against listening to the message of life. This made Paul and Barnabas to turn to the pagans who welcomed this gospel with their hearts.

Dear friends, it is important we become ready to make the change we should and as soon as we can. Refusing to accept the reality of the gospel will make us lose the grace of the kingdom as Paul and Barnabas turned away from the Jews. To relax in the comfort of one’s habit is dangerous. To attack the massager because he said the truth would not change the truth. The road to heaven is never an easy one, however, to be sure of eternal life, we must follow Christ and his teachings otherwise we miss the way.

*3. The Great Reward:*

 The second reading of today presents us with the imagery of the great crowd who have passed through the different trials of life and now are in the presence of God. This is the result we shall get.

The road to success is never an easy one. There is no shortcut to greatness. The second reading, presenting the reward the sheep gets, underlines that these people passed through the great persecution and through this way have had their clothes washed (Rev. 7:14). Hence, the trials we get while following are like purifying agents that prepare us for the great reward. When this reward is gotten, all sorrow will be wiped away. The only condition for us to get this reward is to listen and follow the voice of the good shepherd while enduring and overcoming all trials. 

*Rev Fr. Chukwuemeka Vin. Livinus, SMMM.*