Homily – Fifth Sunday of Easter (A)

Crisis seems to be an inevitable reality at some point in every human institution or organisation.  The Church, while divine as the Body of Christ, is also a human organisation because it is made up of people.  Therefore, it is not an exception from this reality.  The account from the Acts of the Apostles in this week’s readings presents a crisis that occurred in the early Church.  There was a problem of unfair distribution of food within the community: “The Hellenists made a complaint against the Hebrews: in the daily distribution their own widows were being overlooked” (Acts 6:1).

There is no clear reason given for this situation.  However, at the time, the Church was growing larger and more diverse.  It also consisted of both Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) and Hebrews (Aramaic-speaking Jews).  This reflects a reality of social and cultural differences, and at that point in time, conflicts in such a context seemed to be an inevitable reality.

In response to the situation of the complaint, the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples and addressed the issue.  They proposed choosing seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, to take responsibility for caring for those who were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.  This responsibility was entrusted to them through prayer and the laying on of hands by the Apostles.

What the Twelve said to the disciples in this reading is crucial for the life of the Church – not only for the early Church but for the Church in every age: “It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food… we will hand over this duty to them and continue to devote ourselves to prayer and to the service of the word.”  Clearly, responding to issues of social justice and caring for those who are overlooked is important in the life of the Church and must be addressed without delay.  However, for the Twelve, devotion to prayer and the service of the word took precedence.

Why is it so important that the Twelve devote themselves to prayer and to the service of the word of God?  We are all familiar with how John’s Gospel identifies the Word of God: Jesus – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”  The passage from the First Letter of St. Peter in the second reading advises that He is “the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so that you too… may be living stones, making a spiritual house.”  Any “spiritual house” including the Church, must be built on this “living stone” of Christ as its firm foundation.  Every activity of the Church – including the distribution of food to the overlooked Hellenist widows – should revolve around this indispensable foundation; a living foundation of Truth and of Life itself.

May each of us – the faithful follower of Christ – always be aware of this important message of Scriptures, to continue to build ourselves on the firm foundation of Christ individually as a believer and collectively as a church community, so that we all may become the light of God in the world today.

By Fr Sang Ho