Friday, May 22, 2020

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - May 24, 2020. Homily for the Seventh Sunday of Easter - Ascension


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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