HOMILY 8th May 2020

ACTS 13:26-33

JOHN 14:1-6 

HOMILY: Rev. Deacon. Samuel Muhanji Nyonje.

Shalom friends in the Lord Jesus Christ. Today's Mass readings invites us to have a rest. The Gospel aptly put Jesus a the fulfillment of this true rest in which all Christians find refuge and meaning. 

Jesus tells his disciples he's going to prepare a place for them where God the Father is. Here he equates the kingdom to his as the Son of God, in this he invites all to this kingdom. No one will ensure exceot through him.

Traditionally, it's the work of a slave / maiden to prepare resting place for the master, but here Jesus takes the mantle of a slave ( Philippians 2:6-11). 

He says no one comes to the Father except through him. How do we go to the Father? This means we were once with him and destroyed the relationship, it's sin that distances us from God. It's Jesus that takes us to the Father. We meet him in all Sacraments, and most of all in the Most Holy Eucharist.

Today many people are tired, not only has Corona pandemic paralyzed us, but has added more pain to poor governance, we are tired of dirty politics, worsening economy, public frauds, elections malpractices among other evils that has rendered us worry much. But Jesus tells his disciples, do not be afraid, worry not.

Catechism of the Catholic Church #847 creates room for entry into heaven those who do not know the Gospel and Christ. But it's distinct, those who don't know not willingly or by desire, but they offer true and unblemish sacrifice and worship to the Father, these are assured of eternal life. This is the reminder Paul give to the Jews in his public speech in the first reading. He reminds them of their heritage as people of God, though they killed God. But alas! He rose from the dead.

We ought not to worry, but instead embrace non-Christians for together we share the same Father and eternal. However we should evangelize by our lives... Paul is a good example, he converted. 

St. Augustine asserts that " our hearts are restless until they rest in you O God", truly our worry is passive, if only we give Christ chance, we ought not worry because we are assured of true home where we Hall have rest from all the troubles affecting us all.

Let us pray for those hard men and women who persecute the Church of Christ and Christians that through our life, they may know Christ as the way, true and life.

samnyonje.blogspot.com