Homily: Seventh Friday of Easter
Seventh Friday of Easter (Acts 25:13b-21) “Citizen of the World”
Very few people know that St. Paul was a Roman citizen. We might be surprised because we might think that to be a citizen of Rome, a person would have been born in that city or at least in Italy somewhere. But that was not the requirement for citizenship.
The Roman Empire had far broader guidelines for citizenship. A person was a citizen who was born in an area of the empire that was under direct Roman control. Paul was born in Tarsus in Asia Minor in an area that was part of a Roman province. For that reason, he was considered a citizen even though he was a Jew.
What rights did citizenship hold? Paul could travel more freely in the empire. He also had legal rights, like the right to a trial in Rome. He also could never be crucified. A Roman citizen could suffer capital punishment, but they were supposed to be executed in a humane way. Therefore, a Roman who was sentenced to death would be beheaded. It was considered a quick humane way to die. That was the way Paul ultimately died.
Paul used his citizenship to his advantage when he was arrested in Jerusalem. He demanded to be sent to Rome for trial since he was a citizen. He wanted to travel to Rome to meet with church leaders there. Rome was the center of the empire, so Paul could introduce Christianity to people who would carry Christ’s teaching throughout the world.
Paul, we could say, got a free trip to Rome and while he was there, he did not languish in prison, but was under house arrest. Visitors came and went freely. He was able to give guidance to the church as it began to take root throughout the empire. Paul was shrewd and his actions helped make the Christian Church a worldwide church.
Reflection Questions:
- Paul used all his assets to advance the mission of the church. Do I try to do the same?
- Paul used civil disobedience to spread the Christian Mission. Do I think that is something that leaders should use today?
Dear Parishioners,
Please remember that you do not have to register to come to Mass on Sundays or weekdays anymore. We also can have up to 60% of capacity in the church now. If things continue to go well, we might be at 100% capacity soon.
Some may ask if it is safe to return to church. I would say if you were inoculated, church going is as safe as any other indoor activity. Hopefully, all Catholics have a hunger for the Eucharist.
Vatican II says that, “The Eucharist keeps the church in being.” It is hard to be church without the Mass. I would encourage parishioners to consider coming back to Mass on Sunday. There is not an obligation to attend right now, but before long there probably will be.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark