Homily for the Sixth Sunday Of Easter, Year A

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17/ Psalm 66/ 1 Peter 3:15-18-/ John 14:15-21

Agorsor Aaron Agbeshie

THEME: The Trinity is our protector
In the latter part of the Easter season, we move from the contemplation of the resurrection appearances to meditation upon the continued presence of the exalted Christ with his Church through the Holy Spirit. The First reading is, therefore, closely linked with the Gospel reading to emphasise that the Church is a community in which the Holy Spirit is given and shared. This is made possible by a unity with the apostolic community and the Jerusalem Church which was the centre of salvation history; communion with the risen Christ and through him with the Father- a Trinitarian experience; an experience that is not based on emotions but on the commandment of love and in dwelling of the Holy Spirit.
In the Gospel reading for last Sunday’s Liturgy, Jesus admonished the disciples not to let their hearts be troubled by giving them three assurances namely that Heaven awaits them, that they have God as their Father and above all, he has taught them how to pray. Today, Jesus gives them another assurance; an assurance of the presence of another advocate; the Holy Spirit. Jesus understood how his apostles felt. He wished to make it clear that their fear was groundless. He assures them, therefore, to “ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to be with you forever” (John 14:16). He assured them again that “I will not leave you orphaned, I am coming to you” (John 14:18).
In the first reading, we see a fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to his apostles. This was made possible by unity within the apostolic community and the Jerusalem Church. Even after his ascension, Jesus did not abandon the people of Samaria in whose region he had worked miracles during his public ministry. As Philip responded to the command of Christ to preach the Gospel, he left Jerusalem for Samaria under the impulse of the Holy Spirit. There in Samaria, his preaching met with immediate success and when further spiritual help beyond baptism was needed, that is, the giving of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, Philip had Peter and John come to Samaria and confirm the new converts.
What happened in Samaria has continued down through the centuries. The promise of Jesus has also been fulfilled in us. We too have received the Holy Spirit and because of him, we are not left alone. Through this same power the Father and the Son are present within us. Indeed, we have God even within ourselves. We have to search Him out. We must respond to his presence within us; in fact, we must pray.
For the apostles to experience the transforming effects of the Holy Spirit, they must be in constant communion with the Risen Christ. Jesus assures them that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth “This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you and he will be in you” (John 14:17). The world cannot receive the Spirit because the world lives “by sight” and not “by faith.” Furthermore, the world does not know Jesus Christ and you cannot have knowledge of the Spirit apart from the Son. The presence of the Spirit in this world is an indictment against the world for the world rejected Jesus Christ. Anyone who does not speak the truth rejects Jesus. In our world today, truth has become relative. Anyone who stands for the truth becomes an enemy to society. Many people are languishing in prison because the powers that be have sold their dignity for personal interest.
The experience of the Holy Spirit is not based on emotions but on the commandment of love. Love is a manifestation that we have received the Holy Spirit. “They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me and those who love me will be loved by my father and I will love them and reveal myself to them” (John 14:21). The condition for the presence of the Holy Spirit is Love. He promised that he will reveal himself to them if only they love him. Love is the essence; a condition sine qua non for an experience of the Holy Spirit.
The fear that the disciples exhibited when Jesus told them of his leaving is a reality that faces every Christian. The Second reading is an admonishing to all Christians that our calling entails suffering. St. Peter admonishes us to maintain a clear conscience “… So that when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame” (1Peter 3:16b). Indeed, the Trinity is our protector.
It is only a Christian who maintains a clear conscience who can witness to the truth. According to St. Peter “Always be ready to make a defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with reverence and gentleness” (1Peter 3:15-16). The converse is true for those who claim to be Christians but are not true to their conscience. They are quick to react violently when someone questions them about the authenticity and credibility of their faith expression.
In conclusion, it is indeed a terrifying experience to be left all alone in life. However, we are not alone, abandoned, helpless and hopeless. There is no need to have a troubled heart when you have the very Spirit of God dwelling in you. We must learn to turn to God in simple, earnest prayer in all aspect of our lives. Anyone who claims to have the Holy cannot oppose the teaching authority of the Church; he must be in communion with the Church and above all must realise that the spirit’s presence is not based on emotions but on the commandment of love.