Homily For Monday Sixth Week of Easter Year C, 26th May, 2025. The Memorial of St Philip Neri

 

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

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE US TO THE PATHS OF TRUTH

In our societies today, many false influential powers have great effect on our lives coming from various sources under the guise of good but are, in fact, leading us astray. 

So, there is a need for us to examine these influences and today, in our Gospel passage, Jesus said to his disciples: when the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will be my witness. And you, too, will be witnesses because you have been with me from the outset. ‘I have told you all this that your faith may not be shaken.

Thus, the Holy Spirit will lead us to learn how to distinguish clearly where and in whom dwells the Spirit of truth from the Spirit of falsehood. As long as we are of God and in Christ, we have nothing to fear for we do not belong any more to this present world, full of sin, hatred, greed, corruption, deceit and violence. 

Every day, many false prophets and teachers are increasing and deceiving the people. May God guide us against embracing, too readily, any doctrine proposed to us without due consideration from any teacher who may pretend to have a divine inspiration but does not.

Dear friends, we must be very wise for many false prophets are operating under the power of the devil. Today Jesus is promising us the Spirit of truth that will give us a special sign for distinguishing true doctrine and true teachers from the false ones. 

Therefore, let us constantly ask the Holy Spirit to give us the grace of discernment in order to distinguish between good and false prophets and teachers. Let us also be true Christians in our way of life, words and deeds. Let us learn to put our trust in God who has promised to keep us from falling away from the true faith we have found in His Son Jesus.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, you promised to send us the Spirit of truth, grant we pray that through the intercession of St Philip Neri, we will always stand and witness to the truth we have found in Jesus against all the false influential prophets and teachers in our society today, he who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Have a fruitful week.