Homily for Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter

First Reading: Acts 14:5-18
There was an attempt in Iconium by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their leaders, to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas. They realized it, and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside, where they continued to proclaim the Good News... When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in human form.” They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” because he was the chief speaker... Paul and Barnabas rushed out into the crowd, shouting, “Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God...”

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16
R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.
Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name give glory because of your mercy, because of your truth... Our God is in heaven; whatever he wills, he does.

Gospel Acclamation: John 14:26
Alleluia, alleluia. The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I told you. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: John 14:21-26
Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him...” The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.

On this Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter, we are called as pilgrims of hope to embody Christ’s love through fidelity to His commandments. The readings today challenge us to express our love for Jesus through action, guided by the Holy Spirit, and to proclaim the living God amidst a world of distractions. In this Jubilee Year of 2025, let us live this call with purpose, reflecting South Africa’s steadfast faith.

Story
Consider a lawyer from Cape Town, rushing through Greenmarket Square, absorbed in a phone call. A street vendor, struggling with a heavy load, asks for a hand. Pausing, the lawyer realises love requires action, not just sentiment. He helps carry the load, later reflecting, “Perhaps that was God’s call to serve.” Even in our hurried lives, love demands we act with intention.

The Word of God
In John 14:21-26, Jesus, at the Last Supper, declares, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me.” The Greek verb “keep” (tēreō) implies a deliberate, ongoing commitment to cherish and enact Jesus’ teachings, particularly the command to love. This love elicits a divine response: the Father’s love, Christ’s self-revelation, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who teaches and recalls Jesus’ words. The First Reading from Acts 14:5-18 complements this, showing Paul and Barnabas proclaiming the living God in Lystra, rejecting false worship as they point to the Creator. In South Africa—amid economic hardship, social division, or the pace of life in our town and villages—these readings urge us to live love actively, guided by the Spirit, and to witness to the one true God in a world often swayed by idols.

The Eucharist
The Eucharist is our spiritual sustenance, empowering us to live Christ’s commandments. In receiving His Body and Blood, we are united with Jesus, strengthened to serve others with sacrificial love. This sacred meal binds us as a community, from the townships of Soweto to the parishes of the Eastern Cape, fortifying us for the pilgrimage of faith.

Question for Reflection
How can you show your love for Christ today through a specific act of obedience to His command to love?

Daily Practical Application
Today, undertake one intentional act of love: assist a struggling neighbour, offer a kind word to a colleague, or pray for unity in our nation. Let your faith be a steady witness, like the enduring flow of the Orange River, nourishing those around you.

For Those Who Encounter Difficulties
To those facing adversity—financial strain, illness, or personal loss—Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit as Advocate assures you of God’s presence. You are not alone. Seek support from your parish or community, embracing South Africa’s ubuntu, where we find strength in solidarity, lifting one another like hands supporting a weary traveller in the Drakensberg.

Jubilee Year Application
In this Jubilee Year of 2025, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” we are called to deepen our faith through action. Consider a pilgrimage to a sacred site or engage in a work of mercy, like supporting a feeding scheme. These acts of love and hope reflect Christ’s promise to abide with those who keep His commandments.

Inspiration Quote
As Desmond Tutu said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Let us live Christ’s love with unwavering hope, illuminating South Africa’s path.

Pilgrims of Hope
You are pilgrims of hope, called to transform South Africa through love. In our diverse nation, from the streets of Port Elizabeth to the hills of KwaZulu-Natal, your fidelity to Christ’s commandments can inspire change. Be resolute, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to build a community of justice, compassion, and hope.

Conclusion
As we journey through Easter and this Jubilee Year, let us love Christ by faithfully keeping His commandments, guided by the Holy Spirit. May our lives proclaim the living God, shining as a beacon across South Africa.