Sunday 6th Sunday of Easter

25th May 2025

HOMILY FOR 6th SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR C.

“Peace be with you” the newly elected Pope, echoed from the Vatican balcony on his first appearance to the world. The same massage of peace is what Jesus Christ gave and leave with his Apostles and with the Church at the last supper. Our world needs peace even more now than ever, with wars and unrests all over the continents, the need for peaceful coexistence among us becomes more relevant today.

 In the first reading, in the quest for peace and the necessity of a fraternal coexistence among the early believers, lead to the first Church council. The missionaries sent out by the Church had to come back to the Apostles and Church Leaders to find solutions to the problems they encounter as the faith spread to other nations and people. Their action showed the need for clarity of purpose, the need for leadership in the Church and the importance of listening and dialogue in the face of doubts about our faith.

The Church is an inclusive and a listening Church. The Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and through Her teaching authority (Magisterium) in line with the Scripture and Her traditions, always guides and leads us to the truth. The Church is for all. Her mission is to lead us to the divine truth. Thus, in his last message to His disciples Jesus emphasized His love for us, this love is unconditional and it is an everlasting. Thus, He promised us the Holy Spirit: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will sent in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you” As a people of God all we need to do is to keep our own part of the contract, by obeying His commandments and keep the faith as directed by the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him.”

As we await the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord on Thursday, which ushers in the descend of the Holy Spirit, let us continue to pray for Christians unity and for Peace in our world.

JEROME OTITOYOMI DUKIYA. C.S.Sp.