HOMILY : 24th April 2020

Readings:

ACTS 5:34-42

JOHN 6:1-15

HOMILY: Rev. Deacon. Samuel Muhanji Nyonje 

Theme: Credibility of true religion

The Lord be with you dear friends. Hope you're faring and sojourning well. 

Dear friends, today's Mass readings brings us to ask ourselves on the credibility and authenticity of true religion. Over centuries, the Catholic Church has always held and taught that which is true. However, past history has shown some theologians misinterpreting the doctrines of the Church thus causing schism. This is what the Church as custodian of Faith and Morals would not wish as the Lord prayed in John 17:21-22.

In the first reading, Gamaliel a Jewish Doctor/ teacher of law after judging the actions of fellow Jews to the Apostles of Christ, simply gave out the measure of criteria to judge the Apostles and followers of Christ.

First, for him, if truly something can endure, most likely, it has some divine origin, otherwise, if it were a human endeavor, it will not last. He cautions Jewish that if it has divine origin they will not only fight them but find themselves fighting with God. This is something Jewish wouldn't wish to hear. Religion in not like a political party that shines during campaigns and fades completely afterwards. This too is what we see in today's true religions  as presented in the Vatican II Document Nostra Aetate number 2.

The second principle that Gamaliel employed is the continuity of a religion after the death of the founder. If they were merely a human movement, normally, when the leader dies, the cause also dies.  But in the case of Jesus, the cause lives on.  But not only the cause, but the proclamation that He lives on. 

Thirdly, we must examine the truth of the religions by the lives of the faith followers. Do the disciples live a life of charity, compassion and generosity?   Are they living a meaningful life, a life that is expended in service and love?  This was the way the Lord in the gospel demonstrated His divine origin, not just by His words but by His life. 

Jesus Christ demonstrates well his divine Origin and so he asks his disciples "give them something to eat". He made apparent Isaiah 61 as interpreted in Luke 4:16-19. True religion should value life and dignity of human person. That can easily be seen in the action of Jesus which takes a liturgical setting, after the Word, he invites them for Bread. In Liturgy, Jesus is present in the Word and in the Holy Eucharist.

Apostleship is not about being sent to take care of the flock but that as leaders, we must seek to attend to people's needs, using whatever resources God has blessed us with. Most especially the Church ought to come out during this pandemic. In as much as we nourish the souls of Christians we too should be on the fore-front to bring them daily bread to sustain them. But who is responsible for this? It's the Church and all her members since all members make up a Church as people of God...Clergy and Laity.

Dear friends today's readings too answer the question of authentic and fake prophets in our time. It gives answers to the true and false Church. The true Church and her members remains still amidst this pandemic...are you among them?

Wishing you fruitful Friday.