Homily: Sixth Friday of Easter

Sixth Friday of Easter (Acts: 18:1-11) “What Opens Hearts?”

Corinth was an ancient city. By the time Paul arrived there it was a thoroughly Roman City. It sat on a thin stretch of land that connected the Peloponnese Island to mainland Greece. The Mediterranean Sea was on each side of Corinth. This was in the days before canals, so the small ships were taken out of the water and moved across the land on rollers. They were then put back into the water. This saved traveling time for the ships. Otherwise, they would have had to sail far to the south. In other words, this was a short cut.

Corinth was a trading center with people coming and going from all over the world. When Paul managed to make a convert that convert might go out to another part of the world to begin a church. Paul had great success in his missionary work in Corinth. For that reason, he stayed in Corinth for a year and a half. He wrote many letters back to Corinth later in his life.

Corinth was also a very sinful city. There was a lot of drinking and prostitution. There were a lot of unsavory characters as there are in any seaport. Jesus’ message of forgiveness and mercy resonated with the inhabitants of Corinth. Many wanted to live ethical lives.

The Jews in Corinth did not appreciate the Christian converts. They tried to have Paul arrested, but Gallio did not want to get involved in a religious quarrel. Paul left when he chose.

It is interesting to consider where Paul had success with his preaching and where he did not. He only stayed in Athens a short while. Athens had an educated population, and the people had a great interest in ethics. Paul had little success there. The Athenians might have thought they had all the answers to life’s questions. In Corinth, where sin abounded, Paul had his greatest success. The people in this city were searching for answers to life’s questions. Paul provided those.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Why is it that well educated people might reject the Christian message? Have I ever noticed someone like this?

2.   Did Jesus say something about sinners in his preaching? What was it?

 Dear Parishioners,

           This Sunday we will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. Sometimes people ask why this is the case. Certain feast days have been moved to Sunday. Traditionally, Ascension was celebrated 40 days after Easter. This always fell on a Thursday and was a Holy Day of obligation. Ten days later the Feast of Pentecost was commemorated. That always fell on a Sunday.

          Many Bishops felt that there were a lot of people who did not celebrate Ascension. This is one of the most important days of the liturgical year. An important message is proclaimed on Ascension. We are to go out and make disciples of all nations. We need to take up that challenge. Every year we are pushed to be like St. Paul. We are pushed to bring others to Christ on Ascension Day.

          May Our Lady pray for us in this month of May.

          Fr. Mark