HOMILY OF SATURDAY OF THE 7TH WEEK OF EASTER
Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop
St. Augustine of Canterbury, a Benedictine monk, was sent by Pope Gregory the Great to evangelize England in the 6th century. His mission led to the conversion of King Ethelbert and the establishment of the Canterbury Cathedral. Augustine’s tireless efforts laid the foundation for Christianity in England, and he is celebrated as the “Apostle to the English.”
Acts 28:16-20,30-31, John 21:20-25
THEME: THE DELICATE SIDE OF OUR MINDSET.
It is needless struggling to satisfy people with fixed mindset. They hear whatever we say based on their own mind construct. Irrespective of who you are, you are at the risk of misinterpretation. Jesus was not spared, even by his own closed disciples.
Seeing John, the beloved, following them,
Peter said to Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.’ The rumour then went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus had not said to Peter, ‘He will not die’, but, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come.”
Possibly, they had a modicum of envy for John beforehand, which automatically coloured their understanding of Jesus’ reply.
While we are careful so as not to be misinterpreted, it is soothing to know and to accept that people understand whatever we say based on the state of their minds.
On our part, let us pray that the Holy Spirit will purify our minds and hearts so that we see things the way they are. May the Lord increase us in knowledge and understanding to be able to fit in into his eternal plans. Amen.
Leave a comment