💖 HOMILY - OCTOBER 25 💖

First Reading - Ephesians 4:1-6

Gospel - Luke 12:54-59

Christianity, as the most practiced faith in the world, is more than just a religion. It is a family, a community united by the oneness of faith. Today's readings remind us of the importance of maintaining that unity of heart and soul, just as the first Christian community was known for being “united in heart and soul.”

In the first reading, Paul urges the Christian community to preserve this unity by accepting one another's faults and shortcomings, and by interacting with one another with selflessness, gentleness, and patience. Paul emphasizes that, despite our differences, we are all one body through our faith in Christ. It is our unity as believers that reflects our shared faith, our common baptism, and our shared hope in Christ. For Paul, this oneness in the community is a reflection of the oneness of God, who is One but exists in three persons—the Holy Trinity.

In the Gospel, Jesus conveys two important messages. First, He urges us to recognize God’s signs in our lives. Second, He advises us to resolve our disputes privately, rather than taking matters to court or airing them publicly. The first message is about understanding God’s appointed times, His "kairos" moments, when He intervenes in our lives. Jesus rebukes the crowd for not recognizing God’s presence and action in Him, as He inaugurates the Kingdom of God. The second message addresses the early Christian community’s tendency to bring their disputes to Gentile courts. Jesus encourages them to resolve conflicts amongst themselves, fostering peace and unity within the community.

The common theme in both readings is the importance of openness—openness to God’s signs in our lives and openness to accepting one another within the Christian community. Jesus calls us to keep our eyes of faith open, to recognize God’s appointed times, and to keep our hearts open to accepting one another, despite our faults and differences.

Dear friends, we belong to a vast community of believers who share the same faith. But it is not enough to merely share the same faith; we must also strive to build a life of harmony and joy within our communities. The first reading reminds us that every community is composed of individuals with differences, and these differences should be embraced, not resisted. This is how we show our unity in Christ. The Gospel further teaches us that disputes and misunderstandings will arise, but they should be resolved with love and understanding, rather than allowing them to create division or foster hatred, anger, or jealousy.

Jesus reminds us, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in their midst." This means that whenever a community comes together in unity and prayer, Christ is present among them. To maintain this unity, we must start by cultivating it in our own families and smaller communities. We must accept one another’s differences and work to resolve conflicts peacefully. Unresolved issues can create tension and division, but when conflicts are addressed with love and humility, the community becomes stronger.

When we succeed in building a harmonious and loving community, God’s signs will manifest in our lives. Let us strive to be instruments of peace and unity in our communities, trusting that God will bless us with His presence as we live in harmony with one another.