23 May 2012 – homily for Wednesday of 7th week of Easter – Acts 20: 28-38

The season of Easter is so associated with the first readings we hear from the Acts of the Apostles that we hear in our first readings during this time of the year.  It is the time right after Christ’s death and resurrection, when the early Church is figuring out what it needs to do to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the world.  We hear about Paul’s ministry in Ephesus today, about how he is instructing the presbyters in this place before he moves on in his missionary travels.  Paul tells them to take care of their flock, and to beware of the wolves that will come and try to rip them down.

It is not easy being in Christian community, is it?  We are all human, and we all have our strengths and our flaws as well.  In community, we have a lot of different personalities, and it is easy to get on one another’s nerves.  Paul certainly had has own strengths and weaknesses, and from time to time we hear about the arguments, disputes, and disagreements that he has with the other disciples and with those to whom he ministers.  Yet, Paul tries to leave the people of Ephesus a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood and love.  He tries to encourage them as he leaves them.

I am so appreciative of the community we have here in Belzoni, of our history, and of the way we support one another.  We had a wonderful celebration last weekend when Tori received her First Holy Communion, and as we celebrated Cody’s Confirmation and Analice’s graduation from kindergarten.  We need to remember the importance of encouraging one another and journeying with one another, not only in those happy moments and in those celebrations like we had last weekend, but in the difficult and tense moments as well.  Let us take courage from Paul and those members of the early Church, about their journey of faith and their zeal for bringing God’s Word to others.