Readings: Acts 1:12-14; Psalm 27; 1 Peter 4:13-16; John 17:1-11
Grace and peace to you, dear brothers and sisters in the Lord. Today is the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A.
In the Gospel of today, we have an account of the priestly prayer of Jesus Christ, a very powerful prayer and a preview of what He continues to do for us in heaven as our High Priest (Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1).
There are so many themes we could explore today. However, I am deeply moved by this statement of Jesus:
“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”
This is the summary of the entire earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ. He glorified the Father in all things – through His complete obedience even unto death, through His teaching, prayer life, healing ministry, compassion, sacrifice, and through every aspect of His mission.
Now He says that He has accomplished all that the Father sent Him to do. In other words, He fulfilled His purpose completely.
Just like Jesus, our existence is meant to glorify God. We were created for His purpose, to accomplish His will and thereby glorify Him. Revelation 4:11 reminds us that all things were created by His will and for His pleasure.
The first important question for us today is this:
“Am I glorifying God by my life?”
You may ask: How can I glorify God? How do I live for His glory?
I shall mention three ways today.
I. Obedience to God Glorifies Him
Jesus glorified the Father through complete obedience, even unto death (Philippians 2:8).
In the First Reading, we see the disciples obeying Jesus faithfully. He instructed them to remain in Jerusalem, and they obeyed. They did not return to their homes or families. They stayed together in prayer because they trusted His word.
When we live our lives in obedience, or even with the sincere willingness to obey the Lord, we glorify Him. The greatest gift we can offer God is our will – a heart that says, “Lord, not my will, but Yours be done.”
God is glorified when we surrender our lives to Him and worship Him with obedient hearts.
II. Faithfulness in Trials Glorifies God
This is one of the major messages of today’s Second Reading.
When we are tried, tempted, misunderstood, rejected, or suffer difficulties and yet remain faithful to God, we glorify Him. When storms arise and we still hold firmly to the Lord, heaven is honoured by our perseverance.
This was the story of Job. In the midst of suffering, loss, and confusion, he remained steadfast.
St. Peter reminds us that not all suffering glorifies God. If we suffer because of stealing, dishonesty, spreading falsehood, irresponsibility, negligence, wickedness, or sinful behaviour, there is no glory in that. However, when we suffer for doing good, for remaining faithful, for standing for truth, for living for Christ, then our perseverance glorifies God.
III. A Life of Goodness and Kindness Glorifies God
When we live our lives to bless others, encourage others, and make life better for people, we glorify God.
When we choose peace over division, kindness over bitterness, reconciliation over revenge, love over hatred, and unity over unnecessary conflict, we become instruments through whom God is glorified.
The world is already wounded by so much anger, darkness, division, deception, betrayal, and cruelty. As Christians, we are called to bring light, healing, peace, hope, and goodness into the lives of others.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:16:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
PART B: FULFILLING MY MISSION
Jesus also said:
“I have accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”
This leads us to the second great question:
“Am I accomplishing my mission?”
Why am I here? What mission has God entrusted to me?
Ephesians 2:10 tells us:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
None of us is here by accident. Every life has meaning, purpose, and assignment.
We all have both general and specific missions. Some people are called to change the story of their family, some are called to heal wounds, defend truth, support the weak, provide love and purpose for a child with special needs, raise godly children, serve the Church, inspire others, evangelise, teach, or champion particular causes.
However, in this homily, I will mention three generic missions that belong to all Christians.
I. To Know, Love, and Serve God
Our first mission is to know God, love Him, serve Him faithfully in this world, and seek eternal life with Him.
A person may gain many things in life and yet lose the very purpose for which they were created.
II. To Be a Blessing to Others
We are called to bring joy, meaning, hope, healing, and value into the lives of others.
Life is not only about ourselves. A truly fulfilled life is one that leaves others better, stronger, happier, and closer to God.
III. To Bear Fruit for the Kingdom of God
Jesus says in John 15:16:
“I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.”
We are called to point people to Jesus, to lead souls to God, to help people encounter Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
The greatest barrenness is spiritual barrenness – to live without bringing any soul closer to God.
One of the most painful things would be to appear before the Lord empty handed, having lived only for worldly pursuits while neglecting the salvation of souls.
It is sad that some Christians are like the fig tree that Jesus condemned- the fig tree was full of leaves yet without fruit (Mark 11:13).
As we reflect on these words today, may we ask ourselves honestly:
Am I living for God’s glory?
Am I fulfilling my mission?
Let us unite ourselves with Jesus in His priestly prayer and conclude with this prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ,
You glorified the Father in all things and fulfilled perfectly the mission entrusted to You. Grant us the grace to live for God’s glory in all that we do. Teach us obedience, strengthen us in trials, and make us instruments of goodness, peace, and love. Help us to discover and accomplish the mission for which we were created. May our lives bear lasting fruit for Your Kingdom, and may we never appear before You empty-handed. Keep us faithful until the end, that one day we may share in Your eternal glory. Amen.
Sermon preached by Fr Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on May 17, 2026