Homily of Seventh Sunday of
Easter Year A 2020 ●●● for places where Ascension of the Lord is celebrated on
Thursday.
Acts 1:12-14; Psalm 27:1-8; 1
Peter 4:13-16; John 17:1-11
Before he ascended into heaven,
Jesus instructed his apostles “not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for
the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John
baptized with Water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy
Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5). The apostles obeyed Jesus. As we read in the first
reading, “When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they
were staying … and devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with
some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
Jesus’ instruction to his
apostles not to depart from Jerusalem meant that they were not to leave the
city of Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. But for us,
what does the instruction, “not to depart from Jerusalem” mean? It means that
we do not veer off from our faith and depart from God’s presence. Because,
“without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:16); and apart from
God we can do nothing (John 15:5).
The apostles went to the upper
room and devoted themselves with one accord to prayer. For us, this statement
means to wait for God in faith and in prayer. We have our churches, chapels,
prayer gardens, retreat centers and so on that serve as our upper room. In
addition to our Sunday and weekday Masses, and prayer meetings, we are
encouraged to have time for private prayers, and time for recollections and
retreats. Today’s Psalm advises us to seek to dwell in the house of the Lord,
gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his temple. It is, also, a
wonderful idea to have a designated place or corner in our homes for prayer;
where we can gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his goodness,
and offer him our praises and petitions. The designated prayer place may have
an altar. Bible, Rosary, Crucifix, statue of Mary and/or statues of other
saints, sacred symbols, prayer books and prayer aids can be placed on the
altar. A designated and disciplined time for prayer is very helpful too.
We will celebrate Pentecost next
Sunday. Most parishes would be unable to organize parish Novena to the Holy
Spirit due to Covid 19 Pandemic restrictions. We are, therefore, encouraged to
privately prepare for our own fresh and interior Pentecost. Prayers to the Holy
Spirit are highly recommended as we prepare.
Jesus pleads to God on our behalf
in the Gospel:
“I revealed your name to
those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave
them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything
you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to
them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and
they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them… I have been
glorified in them.”
In the above prayer, Jesus makes
bold claims on our behalf. We are left to prove Jesus right or wrong.
Jesus claims:
“They belong to you.” Right or
wrong?
“They have kept your word.” Right
or wrong?
“They know that everything you
gave me is from you.” Right or wrong?
“The words you gave to me I have given
them, and they have accepted them.” Right or wrong?
“I have been glorified in them.”
Right or wrong?
Through the graces of Pentecost
celebration, may we be spiritually renewed, and may the prayer and words of
Jesus be fulfilled in us so that our joy may be complete, for our salvation,
and for God’s glory. Amen.
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP
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