Friday, May 7, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Easter Week 5 - May 7, 2021

FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 15:22-31

John 14:12-17

GOD DOES NOT DEMAND TOO MUCH

Sometimes in our lives, we spend so much energy doing what is wrong. We disregard what others say because we think we are doing what is right. What easily comes to my mind as I reflect on this, is the energy Paul had used to persecute the Church. Paul had thought that the Christian faith had come to disregard some Jewish practices and laws. After his conversion, Paul has now become a defender of what he had earlier condemned because he is now aware of the truth. This is what happens in our lives every day. We find ourselves defending what is wrong  with so much passion because we have no true knowledge of the opposition party. Paul is therefore being persecuted by his fellow Jews the same way he had persecuted Christians.

It becomes very pertinent therefore, that we try and listen to others when we are not sure of what we are doing or saying. We may spend the whole of our lives defending what is not true, until we hear the opinion of others as we see in the first reading of today. The saying goes that 'where you sit is where you stand'; It is  obvious that the Jews were thinking from a selfish perspective, they wanted Gentiles to become Jews before becoming Christians. After the Council of Jerusalem which  was guided by the Holy Spirit, it was noted that morality is universal but culture and norms differ. Thus we can serve God with our own individual differences. Let us therefore try and understand one another, only by doing this can we practice the life of love Jesus requires of us in the gospel reading of today. We cannot love one another if we are not ready to listen to and accept one another, lay down our opinions, claims, and prejudices about others. What Christ commands us today is to love one another.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

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