Homily: Fifth Friday of Easter

Fifth Friday of Easter (Acts: 13:26-33)

Witnessing is an important tool in evangelization. We can use Theological and philosophical arguments to try to convince people to believe in God, but how affective is that? A lot of attention has been given to apologetics in the church through the years, but how effective has that been?

Apologetics concentrates on trying to prove that a person who has a different faith has a flawed belief system. We concentrate on intellectual arguments. There are many religious people who feel that if someone does not believe in the same way that they do that the person has not been given enough intellectual information. If we could give them more knowledge, they would have a conversion experience.

St. Paul found that to be ineffective. He had one of his biggest ministerial failures when he went to Athens, which was one of the educational hubs of the ancient world. People like Aristotle, Plato and Socrates had schools there.

When St. Paul went to Athens, he tried to use philosophical arguments to convert the Greeks to Christianity, but he did not have much success. There were smarter people than him whom he could not win a debate with. We can imagine that most of the time the result of such an exchange was that both Paul and the person he was arguing with agreed to disagree.

When Paul left Athens, he remembered when his preaching was most powerful. It was most moving when he talked about his personal encounter with Christ. When Paul talked about how the risen Jesus had changed his life his audience became interested. Paul’s story was a moving one. He changed from hating Christians to becoming one.

When people witness to others about how their Christian faith has impacted their life it grabs the attention of those who are searching. When we show that we are willing to risk everything to serve Christ then others know we have conviction.

Reflection Questions:

1.    What is the greatest conversion story I have heard about? Have I shared that story?

2.    Do I try to prove others wrong when I have a religious argument? Why do I do this?

Dear Parishioners,

           During the COVID pandemic we did not share the cup. I was at a Presbyteral Council meeting this week and Bishop Tylka announced that he would be allowing this starting on the Feast of Pentecost. Since we have not done this for over two years a lot of our Eucharistic ministers are no longer able to help with this ministry. Some have died. Others have moved. Still others have had health issues.

          We will be asking for volunteers for this ministry soon. Since this is a time of Eucharistic revival it seems like an opportune moment to begin restoring the cup and to promote the ministry of Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. If you feel called to this ministry, please call our office.

          Our Lady of Peace, pray for us.

          Fr. Mark