Homily: Fifth Tuesday of Easter

Fifth Tuesday of Easter (Acts 14-19-28) “Turn the Other Cheek”

Paul put his life on the line many times as he preached the Gospel. When we see someone risking their life for a cause that makes an impression. Paul’s courage in this case is especially noteworthy. He is stoned and left for dead.

When Paul recovers, we would think that he would have gone away quietly thanking God that he had been spared. But Paul goes right back into the city to preach again. When a person stands up to a violent mob and shows no fear quite often this disarms them

In the movie Gandhi there are quite a few episodes that speak of Gandhi’s belief in non-violence. Early in the movie Gandhi leads a movement fighting for equal rights for Indian immigrants in South Africa. He begins by burning his immigration card. He does this publicly. When he reaches out to place his card in the fire a policeman hits his arm with a baton. The blow seems to break the arm. Gandhi picks up the card with the other hand. The officer hits him again on the opposite hand. Each time he is struck Gandhi gets up and moves toward the fire again until the officer is too embarrassed to hit Gandhi again.

We probably have never thought of Paul as a non-violent protester, but he was. He did not rush back into Lystra with a sword or with an armed mob. He was armed only with the Word of God. We hear of no armed conquest when we read about the spread of Christianity in the first century. The Christians did not strike back when they were struck. No, they took the blows and turned the other cheek as Jesus instructed.

We may say non-violence never works, but we see how it worked in the early missionary work of the church. We can point to other times when such tactics have been very successful. At the root of the Christian faith is peaceful resistance. Paul’s courage in the face of violent persecution won the day and many converts.

1.    How do I react when I hear about an act of violence? Is the taking of innocent life ever justified?

2.   Christianity was spread by conquest at certain times in history. Did that methodology produce zealous Christians?

 Dear Parishioners,

           On May 19th Seton School will be having its annual Walk-a-thon. This is one of the biggest fund raisers each year for our Catholic Grade School. The money is used for a variety of purposes including giving scholarships to those who cannot afford tuition.

          If a student approaches you and asks you to sponsor them, please consider doing so. If you want to donate directly to the school, please send a check marked Walk-a-thon to the school office.

          Thanks for your support in this important effort.

          May Mother Seton pray for us,

          Fr. Mark