Homilies & Reflections
7th Sunday of Easter, Year B by Rev Fr. Lucas Binnah Junior
1st Reading: Acts 1:15-17.20a.20c-26/Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103:1-2.11-12.19-20 (R. 19a) 2nd Reading: I John 4:11-16 / Gospel Acclamation: cf. Jn. 14:18 / Gospel: John 17:11b-19
Theme: The Truth Will Set Us Free
The 2017 US Presidential election which brought Donald Trump to power is believed to have been manipulated with the support of Russian experts and underwent investigations. In many parts of Africa, elections have led to violence resulting in the loss of lives and properties. For instance, the 2007 Kenyan presidential election is estimated to have taken about 1200 lives and over 500,000 people fled their homes. In Ghana, the 2020 elections recorded 8 deaths in electoral violence. Sometimes, election results are manipulated and the will of the masses overturned on the platter of dishonesty. Also, peddling fake news, pre-packaged ‘hearsays’, falsehood and hate speeches especially via electronic and print media has disastrous consequences. The corollary of this tendency is the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. In the face of such human machinations, and in view of this year’s World Communications Day themed: “Come and See (Jn. 1:46). Communicating by Encountering People Where and as They Are,” today’s readings cite for our example, principles based on truth, honesty, love, unity, peace, consensus building, grassroots participation, participant observation and responsible behaviour. That our communication be clear and honest is the ideal.
In the first reading, Matthias is chosen to replace Apostle Judas who betrayed Jesus. This process of selection followed a particular criterion thus: “So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us – one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection” (Acts 1:21-22). Thus, to become an apostle of Christ, the requirement or qualification was that, the person must have undergone an appreciably adequate formation or training programme in the rubrics, as well as the theory and practice of Christianity. The would-be apostle must not just know about Jesus; he should know Jesus experientially! Also, such a candidate must believe in the resurrection and be a witness to it. Such requirements constituted the information needed by members to make an informed choice. That is why the Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. 2494) states that every society has a right to information based on truth, freedom, justice and solidarity. The apostolic requirements were very clear to all.
From this exercise, two names, Joseph Barsabbas Justus and Matthias were proposed. There was no hearsay or fake news about them. The next thing the believers did was to undertake a two-level process of selection. The first was to pray for discernment, that is, divine direction: “Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside, to go to his own place” (Acts 1:25). The second level was the casting of lots by members whereby names of candidates were written on stones, the stones were then put into a jar and shaken until one stone fell out; the one whose name was on that stone was elected to office. This was the traditional Jewish and Middle[1]Eastern system of doing elections (cf. Jonah 1:7). Thus, this method of election employed by the early Christians, involved the participation of the entire community under the leadership of Peter.
In our modern world, some democracies make nonsense of elections. The right to choose leaders free from all manner of influence and bottlenecks such as use of thugs, duress, intimidation and bribe is yet to be upheld in some democracies. There is no grassroots participation. Some voting centres do not get enough election materials. There are even reports of registration of minors who are legally and constitutionally not franchised till they get to the age of voting. There is also the imposition of candidates by the so-called political cabal who are also godfathers. Furthermore, we experience rigging of elections and inducements, better still, bribing of the electorates with money and other items such as rice, clothes, umbrella, T-shirts, etc. Particularly in Africa, many elections lead to wanton loss of lives and properties. It is conflict-prone, a do-or-die affair. Sometimes, journalists, media houses and media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc, are employed in a negative way that disturbs the peaceful coexistence and harmony in society.
A critical look at our elections as citizens of sovereign nations reveal that although we may be Christians and religious adherents, we do not seek divine intervention nor train ourselves to do the right things as the early Christians did. The consequence has been under-development, square pegs in round holes, poverty and jeopardy to the democratic institutions. Again, we witness especially during the build-up to elections, the strategy employed by voters to drain money out of politicians or those who seek political offices. Voters – individuals and blocs – saddle political aspirants with heavy financial and material burdens. They literally ask them for favours, and in their bid to secure votes, politicians make a lot of financial commitments and promise heaven on earth that sometimes put their bank accounts in the red. In some climes, individual voters raise funds to support the candidate of their choice rather than demand money from aspirants. So, how do these aspirants make up for all these expenditures when they finally win elections? They recoup their monies from government coffers, such that monies meant for development projects and social interventions for poor communities are diverted, mismanaged and laundered. Certainly, this does not augur well for our relationship with one another and with the Lord. Hence, the Psalmist admonishes and calls us to bless the Lord by our way of life (cf. Ps. 103:1). We do this by inculcating the fear of God in us.
From the forgoing, how can we make things better for ourselves in our relationships with God and neighbours? How can we overcome the problems we have brought on ourselves as believers and citizens of various countries? St. John tells us in the second reading: “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us” (I Jn. 4:16, 12). If we really love one another, we will allow smooth, free and fair elections in our societies. We will choose leaders who have something to offer, not those who come to loot and run countries dry! Rather than be sycophants, we have to speak the truth. The Greek philosopher, Plato, says that no one is more hated than he who speaks the truth. This notwithstanding, the truth must be spoken at all times. Again, media practitioners and journalists in particular, should see themselves as prophets who, in speaking the truth may face many dangers. In spite of this, Pope Francis calls them to love and live their job. Rather than be arm-chair researchers, they are to give credible reportage borne out of their encounter with people where and as they are.
Another solution to help us overcome our problems is proposed by Jesus himself in today’s Gospel. In his priestly prayer, he says: “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one” (Jn. 17:11b). He adds: “Keep them from the evil one … Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (Jn. 17: 15, 17). For far too long, unity has eluded us. There are barriers in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, colour, age sex and social status. We have allowed the devil to influence our decisions and choices. We do not like the truth; we fear it, and so, politicians keep deceiving us. Somehow, even those with very good intentions become corrupted when they take the reins of power. Yet, it is the truth that will set us free!
Dearly Beloved, today, let us draw inspiration from the early Christian community who showed fidelity to the risen Christ, resorted to prayer and orderliness in the organisation of their society. We need to pray and work for truth, love and unity. We ought to acknowledge the fact that united we stand; divided we fall. All of this will be made possible if we look at the love of God and begin to love one another in mutual respect, fraternal support and correction, and an attitude of live-and[1]let-another-live. May God richly bless us we wait in prayer for the descent of the Spirit of truth. Happy Sunday! Remember:
#The-Truth-Will-Set-Us-Free#
By Rev. Fr. Lucas Binnah Junior, C.S.Sp