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