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

Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A – May 17, 2020.

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: You’ll Live Because I Live

Sunday Synopsis

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the first reading (Acts 8:5-8,14-17) charges the faithful to imitate the early apostles by taking seriously the healing ministry of the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the second reading (1 Pet 3:15-18), we are urged to always be ready to give an explanation to anyone for the hope we bear – in gentleness, reverence and a clear conscience. The message of the gospel (John 14:15-21) reminds us about Jesus’ call to love by keeping his commandments even as it assures that he would not leave us orphans.  

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, as we look forward to the Ascension of the Lord, the apostles were perplexed and worried. However, Jesus urges them to keep his word while assuring that he will not leave them orphans. This warm assurance was followed by the sending of the Holy Spirit. The sets the tone for our reflection titled “You’ll Live Because I Live.” The miracles recorded in the first reading were a consequence of the fulfillment of God’s promise. We shall scan through the readings with a view to deriving appropriate pastoral lessons.

Background and Summary of the Readings

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 through 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 doctrine for the sacrament of confirmation.

The second reading (1 Pet 3:15-18) urges the faithful to always be ready to give an explanation
to anyone for the hope they bear. Therein, St. Peter adds that that it should be done with gentleness, reverence and a clear conscience. He further maintains that it is better to suffer for doing good rather than evil. He surmised: For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit.”

In the gospel reading, (John 14:15-21) we are told that although the disciples of Jesus were overjoyed at his resurrection, they were nonetheless disturbed because he 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 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. Therefore, Jesus charged them to love him by keeping his commandments. He also assures that he would not leave them orphans.  

Pastoral Lessons

1. Pay Attention to the Word: Just as we were told in the first reading that with one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip, we are challenged to develop an ardent love for listening to the word of God in scriptures and as they are interpreted to us by the Church’s Magisterium for the salvation of our souls.

 
2. Expect Signs and Wonders: The reading reminds us that signs and wonders are associated with believers who pay attention to the Word of God.

3. Minister to the Sick: The scare of COVID-91 has the capacity to dampen our spirit towards effective care for the sick – however, that unclean spirits cried out in a loud voice,
came out of many possessed people and many paralyzed or crippled people were cured reminds us about the importance of ministering to the sick in the name of Lord who is our heavenly physician that can do much more than we can ask or imagine.

4. Live a Life of the Spirit: The reception of the Holy Spirit by the people of Samaria when Peter and Paul eventually laid their hands on them is the remote stage of the development of the doctrine for the sacrament of confirmation which charges contemporary Christians to live out their confirmation commitments of proclaiming Christ without fear.

5. Bear Sufferings Patiently: The second reading urges the faithful to imitate Christ by bearing suffering patiently while giving explanation for the hope they bear in gentleness, reverence and with a clear conscience.

6. Embrace the Spirit of Truth: In the gospel, Jesus calls us to embrace the Spirit of truth despite the fact that the world would be opposed to it.

7. Love God: The liturgy challenges us to love God even as it reminds us that Jesus does not leave us orphans while assuring “because I live and you will live.”

8. Seek God’s Consolation: By saying “whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will love him and reveal myself to him” the liturgy invites us to seek God’s consolation through the Holy Spirit.

Summary Lines

1. 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 through the Holy Spirit.

2. The second reading (1 Pet 3:15-18) urges the faithful to always be ready to give an explanation to anyone for the hope they bear.

3. Therein, St. Peter adds that that it should be done with gentleness, reverence and a clear conscience.

4. Jesus charged them to love him by keeping his commandments.

5. He also assures that he would not leave them orphans. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, our liturgy urges us to live out our confirmation commitments by asking the Holy Spirit to help us emulate the apostles who proclaimed Christ without fear or favour. May all those who are hopeless in life remember that God does not leave us orphans. In fact, as a loving Father, he assures that because he lives, we would also live. This means that there no sickness, hunger, poverty or difficulty that God cannot deal with. May the Holy Spirit minster to us both now and forever. Amen – Remember to stay safe. Have a fabulous Week!