Wednesday, 4 June 2025

Homily For Thursday Seventh Week of Easter Year C, 5th June, 2025. The Memorial of St Boniface

 

Readings: Acts 22:30.23:6-11; Ps.16; John 17:20-26

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

EMBRACING THE PRAYERS OF JESUS FOR US WHO BELIEVE THROUGH HIS DISCIPLES

Whenever we are passing through a very difficult, ugly situation and feel that all hope is gone as our trusted friends have abandoned us, we actually feel great and relieved when we remember that someone is praying for us.

Actually, it feels right to know that someone is interceding on our behalf, it feels great to hear that someone is communicating with God on our behalf. Yes, for a few days now, we have been listening to the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus for his disciples who were with him at the Last Supper and how he prayed for their sanctification and unity.

However, in this final part of his prayer, Jesus now prays for all those who through the influence of his disciples come to believe in God and in him, of which all of us belong to those whom Jesus is praying for when he said in our Gospel passage today: Holy Father, I pray not only for these but for those also who through their words will believe in me. May they all be one, Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.

Here, as Jesus prays for his disciples, he also extends his prayers to everyone who will come to believe in him, for he knows that we will all need similar grace and be exposed to similar trials. Hence he prays that those who follow him may be drawn into the life of the Holy Trinity. The Father sends the Son to humanity precisely so that the Son may draw all humanity into the relationship that exists between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

So this prayer reminds us that our unity, our “oneness” is to be a sign to the world of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is a thing of great joy to know that each Christian, no matter how insignificant, humble, unknown, poor, unlearned, or despised, is remembered in prayer by Jesus, who is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, who will always grant his request.

So if we can value the prayers of our friends. How much more should we value the prayer of the Son of God. Because of this single prayer of Jesus, we Christians are infinitely more privileged than any other people in the world. Thus, in the midst of all difficulties, trials, and struggles, we should be more confident once we remember that the Son of God prays for us, and his prayers will surely be heard by God.

It is this confidence that St. Paul had when he testified before the tribunal of the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin as we have it in our first reading, and the next night, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome.’

This is the same with St. Boniface whose memorial we celebrate today. We can recall the humble way in which he spread the Good News as a renowned Bishop and Martyr of the Church. He is remembered for his many works of mission among the pagan peoples living in Germania, what is now known as modern-day Germany, where in the early days of the Church, he established the foundation of the Christian faith, and there he suffered martyrdom in the hands of the pagans.

Dear friends, I don’t know what you are going through now, especially as regards your faith in Jesus. I don’t know what you are asking God to do for you? I don’t know how ugly the situation in your life has been? I don’t know whatever sickness you are passing through or how abandoned and rejected you feel right now.

All I have to let you know is that Jesus has not stopped thinking and praying for you. All you have to do is to be confident and remain faithful like St. Paul, and you will hear the Lord say to you, ‘Courage, my child! You have borne witness for me today through your struggles; now, I must do the same for you by restoring you to a greater glory.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we place our hope in You, grant that through the prayers of Jesus, we may always come out victorious in all our trials and tribulations and so obtain the joy of your help through Christ our Lord. Amen. Wishing you the best of God’s favour and blessings.


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