REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 6TH WEEK OF EASTER 6TH MAY 2024

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 6TH WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 16:11-15; Ps.149; John 15:26-16:4a

A Sense of Appreciation!

The disciples have been going from place to place preaching the goodnews of Christ. They have shown so much zeal and commitment to this course. Whenever the message was accepted, they were obviously filled with joy. Whenever the message was rejected, they refused to be discouraged. In fact, when they lives were in danger, they kept preaching the Word. This kind of zeal is usually associated with someone who has an ulterior motive or a personal gain in championing a course. If we attribute this thought to the missionary endeavour of the disciples, it will mean that their preaching was not selfless, but that they had something personal to gain. If this is true, it will further mean that those who accept the goodnews, were doing the disciples a favour. But this was not the case!

The disciples were motivated by a sincere desire to obey Christ command to go make disciples of all nations. They had no personal gains in obeying this command. Therefore, those who received the message, were not doing the disciples any favour but themselves. When we understand that giving heed to the Word of God preached by God’s minister is not a favour done to the minister, we will rather be moved to show appreciation. This was the case with Lydia in the first reading of today. The goodnews was preached to her, she accepted it, she and her household were baptized, and they felt the impact of the conversion. Even though the disciples must have been happy with her conversion, she, on her part, understood that she was the primary beneficiary. It was her, not the disciples, that received favour.

This awareness created a sense of appreciation in her. She begged the disciples to stay with her awhile and she took care of them. Taking care of the disciples will both encourage the disciples and also strengthen them to do for many others that which they have done for her. She may not have been able to physically join them in the missionary travels, but she contributed her quota in enabling the disciples to do more. If she had not done this, the disciples would not have taken offence because they were not expecting; but surely, doing it positively reinforced the disciples.

Today, let us examine how we are positively reinforcing God’s ministers in carrying out the work of evangelization. We keep benefiting from their pastoral care; but how often have we cared about them? Just like the disciples, some ministers will not make personal demands, not because they do not have personal needs but so that they are not misunderstood or accused of making a fortune out of their missionary endeavour. But know this, the priest is human to the extent that a feeling of being appreciated will energize him to do more. Like Lydia, let us not just stop at saying “Thank you”. Let us “do” the “thank you”. This is one thing that makes the Lord take delight in his people, as the psalmist tells us today.