HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF EASTER OCTAVE. (2)

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF EASTER OCTAVE.

THEME: PREACH THE GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS.

BY: Fr Francis Onwunali.

As we come to the end of the Easter Octave, on this Seventh day, the fire and the joy which the Gospel brings cannot be quenched but as Peter said: “It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard”. The Truth of the Gospel can not be stifled because it is accompanied by power and glory.

In the first reading (Acts 4: 13-21), the religious leaders didn’t know what to do with Peter and John, seeing the healed man standing by their side. Being afraid of the people who have already believed, they commanded Peter and John with a sterned warning, not to preach nor speak in the NAME of Jesus again (Acts 4: 13-21).

In the gospel (Mark 16: 9-15), Mark gives his brief account of the resurrection appearances of Jesus. First, to Mary Magdalene and second, to the two disciples on their way to the country. Of course, the Apostles did not believe them when they told the stories of their encounter. For this, Jesus scolded them as He appeared to the eleven. He instructed them not to allow their unbelief to hinder the spread of the victory over death and sin. He said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”

Dear friends, after His appearance to His beloved Apostles, Jesus commissions them to go and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. Their task is to proclaim the good news of salvation, not only to the people of Israel but to all the nations. This is the great commission that Risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have been given a share in this task – to be heralds of the good news and ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the only saviour of the world. We have not been left alone in this task, for the Risen Lord works in and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. Do you witness to others the joy of the Gospel and the hope of the resurrection?

I pray as we journey in life today, we will not be like the Apostle who doubted their belief in the action of God- resurrection, rather let us be like Mary Magdalene who believed outrightly because of the love and faith she had in the One Who had already saved her. We are called to bring hope to our world now in a state of despair. We are the salt and light of the world. Does my life represent this? May the joy of the gospel burn like fire in our hearts so as to witness to the greatness of the Lord (Ps. 118). Have a heart-warming and fulfilling day!

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