HOMILY – 5^TH SUNDAY OF EASTER

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA CATHOLIC CHURCH

MAY 10, 2009 – 8, 10, 12NOON MASSES

May our Risen Lord and His dear Mother give us peace.

Convert testimony, the little voice inside, Juicy-fruit.

Convert testimony. Saul is about to become Paul. What makes a Saul become a Paul? A murderer of Christians become a champion evangelist?

Jesus! Paul had such a dramatic and direct experience of Jesus that he would never be the same. Today we see him as he is presented to the disciples for the 1^st time. They are not happy to see “Saul.” This is the fellow who guarded the coats of the people as they got stones to hurl at Stephen killing him as Saul watched. He is the wicked coat check boy who sponsored Stephen stoning. Yet afraid and unbelieving, they listen.

“Paul” talks about the huge numbers of people who have come to Jesus through him. He warms the disciples with his convert testimony. We had an experience like this Wednesday night – you all know we have a shared sermon Wednesday nights at 7PM don’t you? – well Sharon Ruble a teacher at St. Joe’s asked us how we would answer who the Holy Spirit is to us. About 25 people briefly shared their experience of the Holy Spirit.

It was a time of testimony. Real life experience of the work of God in us. No one who attended could remain very far from God after the testimony.

You might try as families and small groups to give your testimony. We may be converted to God more deeply and assist others to know God.

The little voice inside. The letter from John speaks about the way our heart tells us when something is right or wrong, of God, or not of God.

If you don’t believe in this voice, let’s have a test. What did you do last night? Ask the voice to speak about it. What came through? Were you Good, not so good? You see. This is a place where God can speak directly. It doesn’t always work, so we need to check that voice with people we trust. But the voice is there. So John says, love in deed not just words. We know from within what pleases God. Listen to the little voice.

Juicy-fruit. What is the first thing you think about when I say juicy fruit? Aside from a delicious flavor of gum! God is calling us to be “juicy fruit.” Listen to the Gospel… “By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit.” Ok, so God didn’t say Juicy Fruit gum I needed a memory hook. But think about it. Jesus says the measure of glory we can give God is the “fruit” we give back, like a tree. God’s fruits are Love, Joy, Peace, Long suffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control. Juicy fruits no doubt. Low hanging, delicious to even taste.

Ever been treated peacefully? Kindly? Faithfully? Gently? Then you know. Is that little voice inside calling you? Treat others as you have been treated. Bear fruit.

But I might be exhausted. I have no sap! My tree is dry. Come to the water my friends. There is a fountain of life that never dries up. “I will give you living water,” says the Lord. From His providing for us in each life situation, give from what is being poured out to you. It’s off your shoulders, just receive and spill.

There is no doubt that God prunes us so we will bear more fruit. That hurts. But it’s so we might reveal what God knows is possible in us.

We let God have His way with us, and then in the right moment offer testimony about what God has done. We pay attention to the voice within and find support to do the right thing. And we bear juicy fruit like self control or joy for God to see and be glorified.

OR! We could keep to ourselves, ignore ourselves and live a barren life.

Choices, choices, choices. Testify, listen within, then bear juicy fruit.