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• Readings for Sunday, May 3rd

  Fifth Sunday of Easter

• Sunday Homily

  During the Easter season we hear from the Acts of the Apostles each day. It’s all about the beginning of the Church. It’s our story. And we should love it.

  
  

  In Jesus’ homeland, Palestine, after his death and resurrection, the early Church experienced quick growth. At first, it’s reported there were 120 disciples. Then, on Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, 3,000 people came to believe in Jesus and were baptized. Shortly thereafter another 5,000 were added. And this was amid tremendous persecution from ‘outside’ forces opposed to the Church. 

  
  

  The apostles and disciples were on a mission to bring the Good News of Jesus to everyone. They were doing that, and the response was incredible. 

  
  

  Naturally, we shouldn’t be obsessed with numbers. Speaking the truth is first and foremost. We shouldn’t let numbers alone obsess us. But, on the other hand, we should want to grow. That’s part of our mission.

  
  

  In recent years we’ve seen a steady decline in religious practice in our country. That’s true in all the first world countries. We should be asking what causes the growth of the Church. And we should ask what blocks it.

  
  

  But here’s something else to consider. Whenever the church grows what also grows is tension. That’s true of any institution. With growth comes different opinions and sometimes dissension. Wherever human beings come together there are conflicts and challenges.

  
  

  In the early part of the Acts of the Apostles, we read a good deal about the persecution of the Church from the outside.

  
  

  Today, we hear of dissension from inside the Body.

  
  

  There was a problem between the Hellenists and the Hebrews. It seems the widows of the Hellenists weren’t receiving their fair share in the daily distribution of food. 

  
  

  Who were the Hellenists? Jews who had turned to Christ and who came from a Greek-speaking cultural background. 

  
  

  Who were the Hebrews? Also, Jews who had turned to Christ but from a more Jewish cultural background. 

  
  

  Both groups were Christians.

  
  

  Apparently, the conflict was linguistic. The languages they spoke were different. So, the Greek-speaking Hellenists were being overlooked because they couldn’t be understood.

  
  

  So, how do the apostles, the leaders, solve this problem?  Well, they call together the whole community to resolve it. 

  
  

  The principal tasks of the apostles were prayer, preaching and overall leadership. And they had to insure unity in the Church. That didn’t mean micromanage every issue that came up.

  
  

  So, they call together the community and say to the people, “From among yourselves, you select seven reputable men, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom” to solve the problem.

  
  

  That was so wise...this drawing from the wisdom of the whole body of believers.

  
  

  It reminds me of what Pope Francis did in the last years he was pope when he promoted the idea of synodality. He was calling on the insights of millions of Catholics throughout the world. He wanted to hear their wisdom as the Church planned to navigate the future. 

  
  

  Two large meetings of the Synod took place in Rome before Pope Francis’ death. The overall leadership included lay men and women, not just bishops and priests. They discussed the reflections of all who had participated in the early stages of the Synod.

  
  

  When Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II, was still the Archbishop of Krakow and a problem arose, he’d gather a group. The first question he’d ask was, “What does our faith tell us about this problem?” It wasn’t about business or practicalities or public relations. No. How does our faith help to solve it? 

  
  

  And then, secondly, “Who can help us with this problem?” He wasn’t going to solve it on his own. Together, how can we address it?

  
  

  So, in the scene we heard in the Acts today, seven deacons are named - well known for their faith and wisdom. It’s interesting that they were all Hellenists. They all had Greek names. Now their people wouldn’t be overlooked. 

  
  

  I was the Vocation Director for our Diocese for ten years and played a role in the ordination Mass when deacons and priests were ordained by the bishop. In the Mass the bishop asks, “Do you find these men to be worthy candidates?” And I would say, “After inquiry among the people of God and those entrusted to their formation, I do judge them to be worthy.” Only then does the ordination proceed.

  
  

  There was consultation. I wasn’t answering just for myself. For several years we’d been asking the people that knew them, worked with them, and formed them for their insights.

  
  

  Just like in the early Church. The community prayerfully chose the seven.

  
  

  The ministry of the apostles was prayer and spreading the Word of God. Their primary job was to pray. Pope Leo meets with bishops all the time, from all over the world. When he does, the first thing he tells them is to be men of prayer. Nothing good will come from their efforts unless they’re men of prayer.

  
  

  At the end of today’s reading from the Acts what do the apostles do? They pray over the newly chosen deacons, calling down the Holy Spirit on them and laying hands on them. That’s the same thing Bishop McManus will do this afternoon at our Confirmation Mass at the cathedral, when fifteen of our young people from Christ the King will be confirmed. 

  
  

  And he’ll do that in the presence of all those who shaped their faith and led them there - their parents, grandparents, sponsors and friends as well as their pastors.

  
  

  Both prayer and seeking collective wisdom is the solution to Church problems. May we do this in our times and then flourish.

• Download the homily

  • Homily for Sunday, May 3rd