DAILY HOMILIES

The prayer of Jesus in today’s Gospel passage carries a lot of deep-seated messages. In fact, this prayer is both prophetic and instructive. Firstly, Jesus highlights the hatred of the world. St. Paul in today’s first reading mentions the fact that “fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock…” (Acts 20:29)

As a minister, a father, a mentor, a teacher etc., can I say like St. Paul that I am innocent of the blood of my congregation, my children, my employees, or those under my care? Can I beat my chest to say that I never led any one of these little ones astray?

It is not God’s will that we should be sad and miserable in life. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says to us: “Cheer up, I have overcome the world.” In other words, tribulations may come, but victory is assured. As children of God, the battles we fight have already been won on the Cross of Calvary. So we fight not as victims but as victors.

Our first reading today sets the tone for our liturgy today. It tells the story of the Upper Room; the place where the apostles gathered immediately after the Ascension of Jesus Christ and dedicated themselves to prayer in the company of Mary the Mother of Jesus. What was so special about this upper room? Where can we find our own Upper Room today? What lessons do we learn from life in the Upper Room?

23rd May, 2020. It is one thing to pray but a different thing to have confidence in God. Think of this, almost everybody you know prays. If there is a church close to your house, they are probably at prayer right now. People have no problem praying, but the real question is: “How many of us believe in the power of prayers?”

Our short time on earth is like the nine-month period of carrying a pregnancy. It always tough for any woman but the joy of eventually carrying her child relieves all the pain. The joy of joining in the heavenly banquet after our short time on earth will be so much that would forget whatever pain we have to go through for the sake of God at this moment.

Today makes it forty days since the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and on this day, Jesus ascended into heaven. By ascending after forty days, Jesus was passing on a deep message to us: My work in the flesh is now complete; prepare to receive the Holy Spirit. “It is not for you to know the times or seasons... But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be my witnesses” (Acts 1:7-8).

Today, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth. As the Spirit of Truth, He not only witnesses to us, He also leads us to discover every truth. We live in a world where people are loved for telling lies and hated for speaking the truth. The spirit of lies is one demon that has possessed such a vast majority of our population, old and young, rich and poor alike. Wednesday 20th May 2020. Read Acts 17:15-18:1, Psalm 148 and John 16:12-15

When the Holy Spirit comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness. In other words, the Holy Spirit ministers to our hearts making us aware of our sinfulness as well as our unrighteousness. If you have ever sincerely felt bad about something you did or didn’t do when you ought, then you have heard from the Holy Spirit. Tuesday 19th May 2020. Read Acts 16:22-34, Psalm 138 and John 16:5-11.

Today, Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth whose role is that of witnessing. The Holy Spirit helps to make clear things which may not be known by our natural senses, He brings to light what was rather shrouded in mystery, He enlightens, He inspires, He is there to provide a guide; He is our 6th sense if you like. The Holy Spirit witnesses on behalf of Jesus and inspires us as we witness for Jesus. Monday 18th May 2020. Read Acts 16:11-15, Psalm 149 and John 15:26-16:4

Last Sunday, we heard Jesus say: “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me, in my Father’s house are many rooms.” (John 14:1-2) Today, Jesus continues His message of Hope and Assurance, this time introducing the Holy Spirit; the Counsellor, the Spirit of Truth, the indwelling presence of God in the life of the believer. Sunday 17th May 2020. Read Acts 8:5-8, 14-17, Psalm 66, 1st Peter 3:15-18 and John 14:15-21

Yesterday, Jesus calls us His friends on the condition that we do what He commands which is to love others as He loved us. Today, Jesus is telling us that the world will hate us because we do not belong to it. How do we reconcile this? Saturday 16th May 2020. Read Acts 16:1-10, Psalm 100 and John 15:18-21