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Views from the Choir Loft

Homily: 5th Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Guest Author · May 19, 2014

0319_feeding-5k-LG OMEWHERE I READ that today’s three Scripture readings were three mixed or unconnected messages. And that is the impression I got as I read them.

The First Reading: The first reading takes us back into the early days of the Church when a problem seems to have arisen. Needless to say, back in those days the Government did not look out for widows and orphans or other needy people. It seems already some provision had been made to take care of widows, but in this case it was only for those who were of Jewish descent.

Converts from Greek speaking peoples were being neglected. This caused a problem and was brought to the attention of the Apostles. Certainly under Divine inspiration they instituted the order of the Diaconate to help in this matter. Admittedly, not a whole lot is said here, but the Church has always referred to this passage as a Scriptural basis and proof of the establishment of the diaconate as part of Sacred Orders.

Sacred Orders, as we know is one of the seven sacraments and is divided into three sections: the diaconate, the priesthood, and the episcopacy. The powers of the deacon are rather restricted: he can proclaim the Gospel and preach at Mass; He can baptize, distribute Communion, and assist at weddings if duly delegated. The priesthood is the next degree. He can confer all the Sacraments except Ordinations. His power to confirm is somewhat restricted, and is considered only an extraordinarily minister of that sacrament. Finally the Bishop has the fullness of Holy Orders, and he is able to perform all the Sacraments with no restrictions. Now a lot of this we know from what we may read in the Bible and the rest from what we learn from Sacred Tradition. Both are equally God’s way of revealing His truth to us. Christ instituted the Priesthood for us at the Last Supper when He told His Apostles “Do this in memory of me.” In telling them to “do this” He must have given them the power to do so.

RETURNING NOW TO THE ORIGINAL POINT about Hebrew and Hellenistic widows: The problem was that the widows who spoke Greek, rather than Hebrew or Aramaic, were being overlooked in the daily alms and provisions being given out. Therefore the Apostles chose seven Greek speaking Deacons to look after their needs. The Church in its missionary efforts has always looked out also for the temporal well being of individuals. There is a very simple mission principal which says: “You can’t preach the Gospel to a hungry stomach.” From my own experience in the missions, I know we spent much time and effort in trying to alleviate the material wants and needs of the poor people whom we were serving.

The Gospel: The Gospel is still part of Jesus’ talk to his Apostles after the Last Supper. He is telling them that He is going to have to leave them, but that He is going to prepare a place for them in heaven. Now much of this just doesn’t seem to sink in. They maybe hear, but don’t want to understand. It’s hard to say. Jesus doesn’t seem to want to push the fact. Jesus is very patient and tolerant. Sometimes that is how we have to be with others, just as they have to be with us. Jesus even reminds his Apostles that if they have a hard time believing some of the things He says, then they should believe because of the miracles He has worked. After all they were present probably at several of the miracles that Jesus worked. They had good reason to believe that Jesus must be Divine because of the miracles He worked.

Conclusion: In the Communion verse for today we will be repeating the words of Jesus, I am the vine, you are the branches, whoever remains in me will bear much fruit. Hopefully we all intend to stay with Jesus regardless of what happens. The Apostles seemed to falter during Jesus’ sufferings and death, but made up for it afterwards by their preaching and subsequent sufferings, and by living for Jesus. We too in our own way will remain faithful to Jesus to the end, and hopefully will bear much fruit until God calls us to one of the mansions that He has prepared for us in heaven.


We hope you enjoyed this homily by Fr. Valentine Young, OFM.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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Can You Spare 33 Seconds?

Here’s an audio excerpt (33 seconds) of a setting for Kyrie VIII which was recorded live last Sunday at our parish in Los Angeles. The setting (“Missa de Angelis”) is by composer Richard Rice, and you can download the free PDF if you click here and scroll to the bottom. I think Richard’s composition is marvelous. I missed a few notes on the organ, but I’ll get them right next time.

—Jeff Ostrowski
5 April 2021 • When Girls Sing

Covid restrictions here in California are still extremely severe—switching “two weeks to flatten the curve” into “two years to flatten the curve.” Since 2020, we’ve had police breaking into our church to check if everyone is wearing a mask…even when only 5-6 people are present! But we were allowed to have a small percentage of our singers back on Easter Sunday, and here is their live recording of the ancient Catholic hymn for Eastertide: Ad Cenam Agni Providi. The girls were so very excited to sing again—you can hear it in their voices!

—Jeff Ostrowski
29 March 2021 • FEEDBACK

“E.S.” in North Dakota writes: “I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all the hard work you have put—and continue to put—into your wonderful website. In the past two years, my parish has moved from a little house basement into a brand new church and gone from a few families receiving Low Masses twice a month to several families (and many individuals) receiving Mass every Sunday, two Saturdays a month, and every Holy Day. Our priest has been incorporating more and more High Masses and various ceremonies into our lives, which has made my job as a huge newbie choir master very trying and complicated. CCWatershed has been an invaluable resource in helping me get on my feet and know what to do!!! Thank you more than I can express! May God bless you abundantly and assist you in your work and daily lives!”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

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— Daniel Cardinal DiNardo (19 October 2015)

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