RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE: THREAT TO PEACE AND LOVE (HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER 17TH MAY 2022

RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE: THREAT TO PEACE AND LOVE

Acts 14:19-28; John 14:27-31

According to Harriet Sherwood, “religious intolerance is a bigger cause of prejudice than race, ethnicity or nationality”. He maintained that study has proven that most people are tolerant of those from different ethnic or national backgrounds, but many have negative attitudes based on religion; for religion is a ‘red line’ for many people. The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us: “Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead” (Acts 14:19). Following the establishment of new teaching, a new doctrine, a new community of believers, and a new religion (Christianity), some Jews became jealous and irritated by the teachings of Christianity, the spread of the new religion and the number of converts it gathered. Consequently, some Jews became indignant, intolerant of the teachings of Paul and Barnabas to the extent of stoning Paul and leaving him for dead. This reminds us of the religious violence that took place in Sokoto state of Nigeria recently, at the institute of Shehu Shagari college of education,  the hacking to death of Deborah Samuel (a Christian). Christianity over time had suffered so much violence and persecution than other world religions. The spate of religious intolerance and violence against Christianity is way beyond comprehension. One of the reasons why people embrace religion is to obtain peace but this hope seem to have been dashed completely due to religious intolerance. It is rather unfortunate that some self claimed religion of peace are now breeders of religious violence and intolerance and can't even leave up to her alleged religious identity as a symbol of peace. What a world!

Beloved in Christ, Jesus was mindful of this when he said to his disciples “ peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you” (Jn 14:27). It is quite obvious that the world is in dare need of this precious gift of peace of Christ Jesus. It is only the peace of Christ that can heal our broken world, that can mend the cracked fences of fraternity, that can erase fear from our troubled hearts and restore serenity and love in our community and world. 

Friends in Christ, we take this opportunity to continue to pray for our dearest brothers and sisters who are being persecuted because of their faith in Christ Jesus, that God may grant peace to their troubled hearts, comfort them and consolidate their faith. May they draw strength from the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ and may the gift of eternal life through the gospel of Christ be reassured them. May the soul of Deborah Samuel and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. 

Have a glorious day

Fr Remi osj