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

Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year B – April 29, 2018.

Readings: Acts 9:26-31; Ps 21:26-28,30-32; 1 John 3:18-24; 

Gospel – John 15:1-8.

Theme: Be My Disciples!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, on the Fifth Sunday of Easter, we are charged to be disciples of Jesus who are charged to push the frontiers of Church’s mission of evangelisation to the ends of the earth. Our reflection, titled “Be My Disciples” shall fall within the scope of the Easter Season. We shall highlight the liturgical readings with a view to drawing pastoral lessons as a spiritual meal.

Summary of the Readings 

In the first reading (Acts 9:26-31), we are told how Saul, a new convert to the Christian faith preached fearlessly in Jerusalem after Barnabas had introduced him to the Saints and explained how God arrested him at Damascus. The reading indicated how the Hellenists were determined to kill him which made the brothers to take him to Caesarea and then to Tarsus – it also noted how the Churches throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria lived in fear of the Lord and filled with the Holy Spirit, continued to spread the God News.

The second reading (1 John 3:18-24) charges that our love must not be only in words but in action as well – “Only by this can we be certain that we are children of the truth and be able to quieten our conscience in his presence” the text says. It assures that whatever we ask God, “we shall receive, because we keep his commandments and live the kind of life that he wants.” It surmises that “whoever keeps his commandments lives God and God lives in him.”

The message of the gospel (John 15:1-8) invites us to discipleship by being grafted on Christ, the vine. Jesus says: “It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much, and then you will be my disciples.” Jesus reveals himself as the true vine, and his father as the vinedresser. He further discloses that “as a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself but must remain part of the vine, neither can [we] unless [we] remain in [him].”

Pastoral Application/Lessons

1. Amidst the marauding killer-herdsmen and general insecurity in the land, Jesus’ call to discipleship challenges us be fearless like St. Paul in standing up for our faith.

2. The opposition of the Hellenists did not deter Saul from preaching the gospel – neither should our foes and all who stand in the way of the gospel.

3. The help the brothers in Jerusalem rendered to Saul to enable him move to  Caesarea and then to Tarsus should propel us to show solidarity with our persecuted brothers and sisters in Benue in terms of prayer, protests and material donations to the numerous IDPs among whom are innocent children and pregnant women.

4.  Just as the Churches throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria flourished, pastors of souls must assure our people that amidst the seeming hopelessness in the land, the Lord can turn things around for good if we remain steadfast.

5. The message of the second reading that our love must not only be in words but action demands that Christians in government or power must be proactive in advancing the kingdom of God in the secular space in a manner that Christ is visibly seen by all.

6. Because true discipleship entails saying the truth, Christian leaders and indeed all Christians are reminded to uphold their faith as “children of the truth” by speaking truth to power no matter whose ox is gored - the recent statement of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) in the wake of the killings in Benue State that President Muhammdu Buhari should resign since he cannot guarantee the safety of lives and property in the country is a bold step in this direction.

7. Since our liturgy has assured that whatever we ask God, “we shall receive” it behoves all to ask God for credible leadership in the country and for peaceful elections come 2019 – Fasting and prayer with our PVCs in our hands is a useful recipe in this regard.

8.  The gospel reading challenges us to be grated on Christ so as bear fruits – since this are trying times for our country, Christians must engage in sober reflection while taking positive action to save their lives and the lives of their brothers and sisters across the country. 

Homiletic Points to Remember 

1.      Our liturgy charges that our love must not be only in words but in action as well.

2.      It assures that whatever we ask God, “We shall receive, because we keep his commandments and live the kind of life that he wants.”

3.      Whoever keeps his commandments lives God and God lives in him.

4.      The message of the gospel invites us to true discipleship by being grafted on the vine.

5.      It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much, and then you will be my disciples.  

Conclusion

In conclusion, we need to reiterate the call to discipleship. By the virtue baptism, all Christ's believers share in the Common Priesthood of Christ. Just as Christ was anointed by the Father as Priest, King and Prophet, all the baptised share in the three munera of the Priestly, Kingly and Prophetic mission of Christ - Although ministerial priests also share in this threefold mission, they are called in a special way to offer sacrifices to God for their sins and for the sins of the community as no one takes this honour upon himself. Notwithstanding, Jesus’ call “Be My Disciples” is a common responsibility for the pew (Evangelii Nuntiandi, No. 70) and the pulpit. May God help us in this noble task, through Christ Our Lord. Amen!