Seek consolation in Jesus!-Homily for Saturday of the 7th week of Easter MAY 2023

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 15:13b-21; Ps.103; John 21:15-19

Seek consolation in Jesus!

It is sometimes easier to bore suffering when other persons are involved. But if one happens to be suffering alone, the pain seem to be more. In the gospel reading of yesterday, Jesus revealed to Peter how he (Peter) was going to die; through martyrdom. When Jesus was making this revelation, he was not addressing all the disciples but Peter alone. The painful death that awaited Peter was more painful since it was for Peter alone. In the gospel reading of today, Peter inquired how another disciple was going to die. If the disciple was also to experience martyrdom, Peter would have been consoled that he was alone. But if not, maybe Peter would have inquired why his case was sadly different. Maybe this was part of the reason Jesus did not directly answer Peter’s question. The answer Jesus gave Peter was as good as saying “mind your business”.

Beloved, many of us today behave like Peter. Having come to realize how we suffer on for bearing the name of Christ, we seek out for others who are suffering like us too. Ordinarily, this is not a wrong thing to do. When we share our burdens together, we are able to console one another, encourage one another and move on. You remember that Jesus too experienced this consolation when he met his mother on the way to Calvary. The meeting of the suffering Mother and son was soothing. But then, what Jesus wants us to understand is that we are not to find consolation principally, in this way. If our consolation lies in finding co-sufferers, we may lose faith when we do not find one; and indeed, we will not always find one. There are times we will suffer alone without the company of friends and family members; not because they abandon us but because that is the nature of the suffering. This suffering could be in form of persecution for doing the right thing.

Thus, we must learn to anchor our consolation on the Lord Jesus. Jesus is our surest plug. There is never a time He will not be available to walk with us along the difficult roads of truth, moral uprightness and holiness. It is dangerous to be doing the right thing simply because you have people who share same mind-set. It is risky to be good because you have the support of friends. Though such company may be wonderful, the risk there is that you may not be able to remain good if they derail tomorrow. It is good to maintain a community of believers/friends who prioritize the ideals of the Christian faith; such unity strengthens virtuous living. However, do not be a good Christian just because you have them. You should have the capacity to remain good even when others are falling away. My friend’s weakness or failure should not make me weak or fail too. This is the point Jesus was making to clear to Peter in today’s gospel.

We need the Holy Spirit for such stamina. It is the Holy Spirit that will save us from being corrupted when those around us become corrupt. It is the Holy Spirit that will help us to be constantly alert and sensitive to the changes in the character of the people around us. It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to dare to be different. This can be as difficult as swimming against the tides but the psalmist assures that the upright shall behold the face of God. Let this hope console and strengthen us daily. Know this: the end of the Pentecost novena does not mean an end of our devotion to the Holy Spirit.