3RD SUNDAY HOMILY IN THE EASTER — YEAR C

3RD SUNDAY HOMILY IN THE EASTER — YEAR C

HOMILY THEME: IN OUR WEAKNESSES , WE ARE VALUED AND USEFUL THROUGH GOD’S LOVE

BY: Fr. Isaac Awe

Acts 5:27-32.40-41, Rev 5:11-14, John 21:1-19

Dear friends in Christ, I just want us to look into this: If a squeezed paper and a squeezed one thousand naira note is placed before us and we are told to pick one out of it keeping in mind that both are squeezed, what will be our choice considering the economic situation of our country. I’m very sure one hundred percent of us would go for the squeezed naira note. But why? Simply because it’s valuable. The lesson from this is that “WE ARE VALUED AND CHERISHED BY GOD” no matter the gravity of our sinfulness which might have squeezed us.

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Let us hear Jesus speaking through prophet Ezekiel: “As I live, says the Lord God, I do not desire the death of the impious, but that the impious should convert from his way and live. Be converted, be converted from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?(Ezekiel 33:11) This prophecy of Ezekiel exemplified God’s love and it implies that we are not condemned but challenged to bring out the fruits of the spirit we have received from the risen lord. We can be partakers of the life eternal if and only if we have chosen and ready to choose Christ as our only choice.

Why did Jesus question Peter’s love and fidelity three times in front of the other apostles? It must have caused Peter pain and sorrow since he had publicly denied Jesus three times. Now Peter, full of remorse and humility, unequivocally stated that he loved his master and was willing to serve him whatever it might cost. When Jesus asks him “do you love me more than these?” Jesus may have pointed to the boats, nets and catch of fish. He may have challenged Peter to abandon his work as a fisherman for the task of shepherding God’s people. Jesus also may have pointed to the other disciples and to Peter’s previous boast: “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away” (Matthew 26:33). Peter now makes no boast or comparison but humbly responds: “You know I love you.”

Do we want the fire of God’s love to burn in our hearts? John the evangelist tells us that God is love (1 John 4:16). His love is unconditional, unmerited, and without limit. It lasts forever. It’s the beginning and the end – it’s the reason God created us and why he wants us to be united with him. And it’s the essence of what is means to be a Christian – one who knows God’s love and forgiveness and who loves God in return with all one’s heart, soul, mind, body, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5, Luke 10:27, Mark 12:33).

However, God’s love heals and transforms our lives and frees us from fear, selfishness, and greed. It draws us to the very heart of God and it compels us to give to him the best we have and all we possess – our gifts, our time, our resources, our full allegiance, and our very lives. The Lord Jesus calls each one of us, even in our weakness, sin, and failings, to love him above all else. Nothing but our sinful pride and wilfulness can keep us from the love of God. It is a free gift, unmerited and beyond payment. We can never outmatch God in giving love. He loved us first and our love for him is a response to his exceeding graciousness and mercy towards us.

“when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked wherever you wanted. But when you are older, you will extend your hands, and another shall gird you and lead you where you do not want to go.” (John 21:18) Let us use our today to better our tomorrow so that we won’t be regretting when the time comes. Build people and do not fall them; Help people and do not just use them. Tomorrow shall tell!

Reflection: Do we allow God’s love to change and transform our hearts?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the Life. Increase our faith in the power of your resurrection that we may never doubt your word nor stray from your presence. Inflame our hearts with your love and remove everything that is unloving, unkind, ungrateful, unholy, and not in accord with your will. Amen

Happy Sunday!

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