2ND THURSDAY HOMILY IN THE EASTER: YEAR A
2ND THURSDAY HOMILY IN THE EASTER: YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
BY: Bishop Gerald M. Musa
Acts 5:27-33, Psalm 34: 2,9,17-20, John 3:31-36
Trying to quench faith with force is like trying to stop the sun with your hat — you only tire yourself and lose your hat. The Apostles were arrested again and brought before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish authorities). The Jewish authorities accused the Apostles of filling Jerusalem with teachings about Jesus and placing the guilt of the death of Jesus on the authorities. Peter and the Apostles replied with a memorable statement, “‘Obedience to God comes before obedience to men'” (Acts of the Apostles 5:29).
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This statement was a gentle and non-violent resistance by the Apostles who were prevented from their inalienable and fundamental human right of preaching, practicing, and propagating their religion. Christians are called to be obedient and patriotic citizens, except in situations where civil or other laws directly violate divine laws or trample on their basic rights. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego gently but firmly disobeyed King Nebuchadnezzar, who prevented them from worshipping God (Daniel 3:16–18).
Religious freedom gives citizens the freedom to belong to and practice any religion of their choice. In some countries, state religions are imposed on citizens, and those who do not belong to these religions (religious minorities) are constantly harassed and persecuted. Saint John XXIII wrote in Pacem in Terris, “Also among man’s rights is that of being able to worship God by the right dictates of his conscience, and to profess his religion both in private and in public.” How firm are we in standing and defending our faith in moments of persecution?
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