Homily: May 15, 2024, Wednesday of the Seventh Week of Easter.

Preached at Holy family school. 

How many of you watch movies?

Have you seen movies where someone who knows a big secret gets killed to stop him from revealing the truth?

But sometimes the movie gets exciting when the dying person would say a few words about the secret and then dies.

So, the last words of people are very important. It could be a big secret, it could be an important message with words of wisdom, it could be a powerful blessing with a prayer. The dying person knows that it must be said because there won’t be another chance.

My grandpa gave me a blessing before he died because to him, that was his final gift to me. My parents too told me their greatest wish before they died, so that I may fulfil it in my lifetime for them.

Jesus told His disciples many important teachings before He died on the cross and before He ascended into heaven.

In today’s first reading, St. Paul also told the church in Ephesus something very important, before he went to Rome and died there. It was his farewell speech.

Do you remember what he said?

He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

It sounds so simple, but it must be very important for the Ephesians, that’s why St. Paul had to tell them.

Do you like to receive presents?

Do you like to receive help from others?

Do you like to receive praises for a job well done?

Yes, most of us enjoy receiving good things from others, because it makes us feel good about ourselves. It makes us feel happy and loved.

And how do you feel about the people who give you good stuff?

Yes, you like them. You appreciate them. You are thankful for them. You would want to continue being their friend, their loved one.

But do you also like to give? What happens when you give something good to someone else?

Do you think they will like you? Yes.

Do you think they will feel happy? Yes.

So, what St. Paul is saying here, is that when we give, we have the power to make other people feel happy, feel loved, feel important. That is a powerful act because we are blessing other people. The world becomes a much better place.

When we give to others what they really need, which are good and helpful for them, we can actually give hope, and love, and lift up their spirit. It is very powerful.

So, let us think, how can we give love and blessings to others, especially those who need it most, who are they? What do they need? What can you give?

Bless others and we too will be blessed. Amen.