Sermon/homily on perseverance in doing good Reflection for Thursday of the 7th week of Easter May 16 2024

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE SEVENTH WEEK OF EASTER (MAY 16, 2024)

Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps.16; John 17:20-26

Persevere in doing good!

It is often said that the reward of good work is more work. This is because one who has been faithful in little things can be presumed to be faithful in greater things compared to another who has not shown faithfulness at all in what is little. In the social sphere, we find it easy to accommodate the above idea. An employee to whom the employer always assigns duties will feel privileged because such indicates that the employer trusts him or her so well. It also indicates that the employer will handsomely reward the employee someday. This general conception may attract the envy of other employees.

However, it seems difficult for us to understand how this principle also applies in our spiritual journey. To lead a good Christian life is a good work. Always, God rewards such good work by putting us in more situations where our goodness can turn things for the better. So, if we are faithful, the Lord will always situate us in unfaithful environments so that we can discard the reigning unfaithfulness with our faithfulness. But when we do not understand this principle, we become discouraged that God is always allowing the worse to happen to us. We may begin to think that we are not attracting the favour of God despite our efforts to be godly. If we do not understand this principle, the devil may capitalize on our ignorance and convince us that it is worthless being good or virtuous.

The first reading of today helps us to understand how God uses this principle. We are told that Paul met fierce persecution in Jerusalem. His testimony in the tribune was a cause of great dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees. This dissension was also a form of persecution for Paul; for when two elephants fights, the ground suffers. But God saved Paul. One would expect that God will immediately reward Paul for the evangelization strides in Jerusalem by taking him to a peaceful or juicy terrain.

Surprisingly, the following night, the Lord asked Paul to go bear witness to Him in Rome; another difficult terrain. This means that what Paul had suffered in Jerusalem, he should go and suffer too in Rome. The reward Paul got for suffering in Jerusalem was the assignment to go suffer in Rome. This can be disheartening; it can make anyone retire in virtuous living. Little wonder the psalmist asked the Lord for the grace of perseverance. We too need to make this prayer. We need to understand that the Lord did not really promise us rest in this world, but in the life to come. The promise God made is to be with us always. He also promised that if we are faithful to the end, we will be with Him forever in Heaven.

Beloved, do not be discouraged when you always have to be the one to understand, to show mercy, to forgive, to settle dispute, to pray for others. Do not be angered when you are remembered only when there is a problem to be solved. Do not give up when you are always the one to be sent on difficult missions on account of the track records you have made. It is a great thing to win the confidence and trust of the Master. Resist whatever makes you regret doing good or working for the Lord. The joy and peace that comes from working for the Lord is second to none.