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 7^th Sunday of Easter, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: That they may be one and be with me where I am

Readings: Acts 7: 55-60; Rev 22: 12-14,16-17,20; Jn. 17:20-26

Dear friends in Christ, one of the activities that organizations conduct for their new recruits is orientation. Some organizations even extend this process by sending their new recruits to participate in additional formation programmmes or specialized training, enabling them to integrate into the organization’s framework and serve as commendable representatives in society. A similar process occurs when an individual is designated as an ambassador for a nation. The ambassador will receive training in international relations and acquire a comprehensive understanding of his country’s interests in the nation where he is assigned to serve. Consequently, the ambassador will be equipped to effectively represent his country.

Jesus recognized the brevity of His time on earth and, consequently, gathered a group of men around Him to represent Him and continue His mission. He dedicated time to instruct them in the heavenly mysteries and the actions they should undertake to accurately represent Him on earth and to make disciples in His name as well.

For the past three Sundays, we have been reading the proceedings from Christ’s final seminar or additional training for His disciples. Two Sundays ago, He taught them that the sole identity they should embrace in the world while fulfilling His mission is love. Last Sunday, He emphasized this theme of love, explaining that the manner in which they can demonstrate their love for Him is through obedience to His teachings. He assured them that the Holy Spirit would assist them in recalling all that He had taught them. This Sunday, He is imparting the lesson that unity is essential if they are to convince the world of their love for one another and their belonging to Him; their expressions of love must unite them as a single community.

Recognizing the significance of unity, the challenges in attaining it, and how its absence will rip His disciples apart, Jesus committed the disciples into prayer, asking His Father to keep them united just as He is united with Him.

Dear friends, without unity, it will be impossible for us, the members of the Church, to convince the world that we love one another. Without being united, we cannot claim that we represent Christ, who lives in unity and love with the Father and the Holy Spirit. To convince and conquer the world, the Church must demonstrate acts of love that are deeply rooted in a strong sense of unity.

Recognizing the significance of unity and the potential consequences of its absence for the community of believers, the disciples consistently raised an alarm whenever there were signs of division within their communities. This is evident in Acts 15, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, and 1 Corinthians 12 and 13. We are tasked with ensuring that we uphold a united front in Christ, discarding anything that could foster division among us as Christians. The proliferation of churches does not signify unity in the eyes of the world; rather, it indicates that we are neglecting the identity that Christ has bestowed upon us.

Jesus prayed that we may be with him where he is in God’s glory. In today’s first reading, Stephen shows us one of the challenges we must confront as representatives of Christ in the world; a challenge we must overcome if we truly desire to be where Christ is in glory. He faced accusations and was stoned for preaching Christ. Rather than dwelling on the sorrow surrounding him or feeling anger towards Christ for not delivering him from physical suffering and death, he directed his gaze upwards, focusing on the glory that Christ had prepared for him. The vision of the glory that awaited him made him transcend the pain of his torments and the insults from his persecutors.

Representing Christ can be a challenging task in a world that prefers to hear less about God and more about worthless matters; this often results in varying levels of suffering and mistreatment. Nevertheless, the Christian who desires to be with Christ in glory is called to look beyond the current afflictions imposed by the world on account of Christ in order to perceive the glory that awaits him. A complete focus on earthly challenges may cause one to lose sight of the eternal destination that has been prepared for him, perhaps leading to the loss of such glory. The Holy Spirit that filled Stephen is always ready to support us when we face evil. Let us be open and receptive to him.

In today's second reading, John wrapped it up by stating, "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city through the gates." Truly, blessed are those who have cleansed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, those who have withstood the trials of this world due to their love for Jesus, much like Stephen did. They will share in the glory of Christ.

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chima