Homily Seventh Wednesday of Easter (Acts 20:28-38) “Brave or Fool Hardy?” 2020

Homily Seventh Wednesday of Easter (Acts 20:28-38) “Brave or Fool Hardy?” 2020

We are reaching the end of the Easter Season and the end of our readings from the Acts of the Apostles.  Paul says goodbye to the Church in Ephesus. He is heading back to Jerusalem. 

He imitates Jesus to the end. He realizes that he will have difficulties in Jerusalem.  Rumors have spread about him.  It was reported to the leaders of the Church in Jerusalem that he was teaching others to abandon the Mosaic Law.  Paul justifies himself in the eyes of the leaders of the Christian Church.  He does not justify himself in the eyes of the Jewish religious authorities.

He is arrested as Jesus was arrested. He is turned over to the Romans as Jesus was turned over to the Romans.  But Paul is clever. He realizes he has rights that Jesus never had.  Paul, because he was born outside of Jewish territory, was a Roman Citizen.

As a Roman Citizen, Paul had the right to be tried in Rome.  Paul wants to go to Rome and preach about Jesus Christ.  He believed that he would be able to spread the Christian message to a whole new group of people and throughout the empire.  Paul is put on a ship and sent to Rome as he requested.

Paul is under arrest, but it is like a house arrest.  He helps strengthen the church in Rome as Christian leaders come to confer with him.  Unfortunately, when a Roman persecution starts Paul is beheaded. As a Roman citizen he has one other right.  He has the right not to be crucified.  To die on a cross was for slaves and non-citizens.

Paul used whatever means he could to spread the Christian message.  Sometimes the best way to advance a just cause is to be arrested and to resist. Paul courageously fought in court for the rights of Christians and he gave his life witnessing for the right to practice his religion.

Reflection Questions:

1. Does everyone in jail deserve to be there?  Who are some examples of those who imitated Christ and were arrested witnessing for justice?

2. Who are those who are imprisoned unjustly today?  Do I feel helpless in the face of injustice?   How can I fight unfair systems that penalize innocent people?

Dear Parishioners,

          We got another letter from Bishop Jenky yesterday.  He gave list of tasks that we need to do as we get ready to move back into our church.  The time draws near when we will be resuming worship in our church building.  The number of COVID 19 cases is decreasing so it seems that it is getting safer to come together

          The main challenge will be that we must maintain a physical distance from one another as we gather.  This will require a great deal of discipline on everyone’s part.  We must come to Mass and leave Mass and not congregate in groups.

          This will be a hard thing to do.  This is not how Christian communities operate.  Let’s pray that we can all try to protect each other during the next few months so that we can continue to see the COVID case count go down.

May Our Lady and all the angels and saints protect us all today.

Fr. Mark