Homily For Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A, 14th May, 2023

Readings: Acts.8:5-8.14-17; Ps.66; 1 Pet. 3:15-18;  John 14:15-21

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

WAITING FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE PROMISED PARACLETE

 

As the Solemnity of the Ascension comes up soon precisely on Thursday within the week, in anticipation of the Solemnity of the Pentecost coming very soon. The Holy Mother Church today the sixth Sunday of the holy season of Easter, presences to us the instructions and promise of Jesus to his disciples before his departure.

 

Hence, the readings of today draw our attention to the promise of Jesus to his disciples concerning the Counsellor, the Paraclete, the Advocate, God’s Holy Spirit, who will guide and teach them everything about their faith in Jesus and God his Father. Thus in our Gospel passage, Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 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. I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.’

 

Here, Jesus knowing that he is about to leave his disciples and needed to share a special relationship with them, talks about the Holy Spirit, whom he calls the Spirit of Truth. This is the Spirit who will reveal to his disciples the truth about their faith. He also calls the Spirit "another" Advocate, which presupposes that Jesus also was an Advocate. So, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have some similar functions. Since they both come from the Father and are sent into the world. For Jesus communicates what he has received from his Father and the Holy Spirit declares what he has received from Jesus to his disciples.

 

Therefore, what Jesus has made known to his disciples through the Holy Spirit, has been passed down to us through his Apostles. This promise of Jesus is what we received at the Sacrament of Baptism, when we were baptized in the Name of the Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, and then sealed by the Sacrament of Confirmation.

 

Dear Friends, as Christians, the Holy Spirit, the Promised Paraclete plays a very vital roles in our lives and mission. The first role is to help us to establish a special relationship with God through Jesus. Remember the central command that Jesus gave his disciples is for them to love him by obeying His commands. Hence, one of the roles of the Holy Spirit is for us to love Jesus and obey him.

 

Also, when Jesus used the word advocate or counsellor which literally refers to the Greek word parakletos, which means “to stand beside.” Telling us that the role of the Holy Spirit is to stand beside us as our advocate, our helper, our best friend, our encourager, mediator and comforter.

 

As Christians the Holy Spirit connects us to Jesus so that we have a special relationship with God. He stand beside us as our caregiver and also companion who helps us to overcome fears, the devil and sins. He gives us peace and victory if we let him come into our lives.

 

Little wonder, in our first reading, we heard about the great manifestation of the Holy Spirit, as great miracles were worked, unclean spirits came shrieking out of many who were possessed, and several paralytics and cripples were cured and when the Apostles laid hands on the people they received the Holy Spirit.

 

More so, St Peter in our second reading exhorts us as Christians to reverence the Lord Jesus in our hearts, and always have our answer ready for people who will ask us the reason for the hope that we all have. He encouraged us to be active in living up to our faith, to be faithful in all things and deeds that everyone who hears us, witness us and interact with us may know that we are Christians, people who have received the Holy Spirit and are ready and dedicated to do the will of God at all times, even in the midst of the various tragedies we encounter in life.

 

LET US PRAY: Almighty ever-living God, as you promised not to leave us as orphans in this world, but will send your Holy Spirit as our Advocate. Grant we pray that the Holy Spirit our Advocate will help us to conquer the ugly situations in our society and the world at large and so overcome devil and all his evil agents and their evil agenda. Amen. Do have a spirit filled Sunday.