CATHOLIC HOMILY FOR TUESDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER (1)

CATHOLIC HOMILY FOR TUESDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER

THEME: DIVINE ENCOUNTER

BY: Fr Francis Onwnali

HOMILY: Today is the third day of Easter. We see how the Risen Lord has touched the lives of Mary Magdalene and Peter. They became transformed individuals as they encounter their Lord and Teacher Who is risen. The essence of Christianity is to have a personal encounter with the Risen Lord just as Mary Magdalene did and was able to confidently announce: “I have seen the Lord”

In our first reading (Acts 2: 36-41), within the context of Pentecost, Peter reminds his audience that it was the Jewish people whom God first called to faith. Those who would believe in Jesus must reform their lives and turn to the Lord Jesus Who forgives sins. They are to have their relationship and their bond with God re-established and deepened through being baptized. It is critically pertinent that we move towards re-establishing and deepening our relationship with God.

In the gospel (John 20: 11-18), Mary Magdalene went looking out for Jesus in the tomb and not finding Him, she became distress until our Risen Lord, standing by the side called her by name. When you have an experience with God that cannot be explained you will never be the same!

Dear friends, Mary did not at first recognize the Lord because her focus was on the empty tomb and on her grief. How easy it is to miss the Lord Jesus when our focus is on ourselves and when we are overwhelmed by the enormity of challenges! Do you recognize the Lord’s presence when you hear His Word?

I pray as we journey in life today, we will focus less on ourselves and look more towards the Lord so as to hear His words as He speaks to us. In our present circumstance riddled with crisis, do we look out for God’s presence and message in it, or are we completely overwhelmed by grief and fear? May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you (Ps. 33: 22). Have a day full of Divine Encounter!

Fr Francis Onwnali