Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year, A – May 21, 2017

Readings: Acts 8:5-8,14-17; Responsorial Psalm Ps 66:1-3,4-5,6-7,16,20; 

1 Pet 3:15-18 & Gospel John 14:15-21.

Theme: I Will Not Leave You Orphans!

 

In April 2015, the Cable News Network, (CNN) published a heartbreaking news about the seamless ease with which children, orphaned by Boko Haram insurgent attacks are being sold by the administrators of makeshift Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps in Yola, the Adamawa State capital. By 2016, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that over 49,000 children were orphaned by Boko Haram crisis in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. On February 13, 2017, Premium Times reported Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State as saying: “We have an official record of 52,311 orphans who are separated and unaccompanied” during the annual Murtala Mohammed Memorial Lecture at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. 

Such grim and staggering statistics prepare us for a reflection on the plight of orphans in the light of gospel. Being an orphan is one of the worst human tragedies. Whenever you talk about orphans, those who wear this robe cry ceaselessly. The fact that nothing can replace the love of parents shows the vulnerability of children who grow without father, mother or both parents. For most orphans, the thought of having to grow without parental care comes with the feeling of rejection and inferiority complex. The pain of being an orphan is both personal and real.

I remember Fr. Gabriel Gowok of Pankshin Diocese asking me, “which orphanage do you belong to?” just as we were about processing for the requiem Mass of his late Father, Baba Thomas Gowok. Perhaps he was saying that to calm his nerves but the question reminded me of the fact that I am also an orphan – I lost my father on the May 19, 2007 and my mother on January 3, 2017.  The ten years my parents gave each other were an admixture of trials for the family but now that I and my 6 siblings are complete orphans, the saying of Jesus in the gospel, “I will not leave you orphans” makes meaning to us. 

To put our reflection in perspective, we must understand that although the disciples of Jesus were overjoyed at his resurrection, they were nonetheless disturbed because was ascending to the father. They were perplexed and had many unanswered questions, much as they had when He was crucified – Was He going to leave them as orphans? How would life be when their Lord and Master returns to the father and is no longer physically present with them? These troubling questions made the apostles sick as they struggled to understand the events that would unfold. 

It is in that confusion and seeming state of helplessness that Jesus assures them in the gospel: “I will not leave you orphans.” He also assures of the Father’s love and the enduring assistance of the Paraclet, the comforter whom He would send. These warm assurances were meant to embolden them in the face of trials, tribulations and temptations. He wanted to warm their hearts of trouble and fear towards believing that all would be well.

In the same manner, the orphans, widows, widowers and all those who have lost a breadwinner or a dear one are expected to look up to the consolation of the Holy Spirit. In our prayers, we must remember families of members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty leaving behind children and women who are often left without shelter, food, clothing and education. How about scores of IDP children whose parents were either slain or dispersed by Boko Haram insurgents?

As the body of Christ, the Church should serve as a comfort zone for all who are orphaned. Pastors of souls must assure them of the father’s love bringing material support, comfort, hope and consolation. Our attitude towards those who have lost touch with physical-parentage and others who have no sense of direction in life should be that of loving support and care – we must be seen to be there for those who need psycho-spiritual support too.

The first reading recounts (Acts 8:5-8,14-17) how the apostles brought healing and joy to those who were possessed, paralysed and crippled in Samaria courtesy of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit promised by Christ as the comforter is seen at work bringing succour to the sick. The people of Samaria enjoyed the gift of the Holy Spirit because Peter and Paul laid their hands on them. This becomes the remote stages of the development of the doctrine for the sacrament of confirmation.

As we meditate on these reading, we ask the Spirit of God to help all those who are confirmed to emulate the apostles by proclaiming Christ without fear or favour. May all those who are hopeless in life desiring the love of God not feel as orphans true our prayers, love and personal support through Christ our Lord. Amen – Have a blessed Week!