HOMILY FOR THURSDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER YEAR B (2)

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: ARE YOU WORRIED? WHY NOT READ THE BIBLE TODAY.

BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu

HOMILY:

“But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts?’” Luke 24:37-38.

When Jesus appeared to the twelve disciples, he read through their minds and soon discovered they were frightened, worried and troubled. They were still trying to understand the events that had just occurred and even seeing Jesus in his resurrected body was something they still couldn’t process.

What did Jesus do? First, he asked for food to clear all doubts that he wasn’t just a ghost. Perhaps if this wasn’t recorded in the Scriptures, modern day psychologists with who do not believe would have argued that the disciples were simply hallucinating. Nonetheless, apart from food, Jesus proceeded to serve them a very important meal – the Bible.

Jesus gave them a sound unforgettable Bible Study Session. Luke tells us that “he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” Luke 24:45.

Dear friends, the Bible is rightly called the Book of Life. If you want to understand life, then pick up the Bible today. if you are worried about anything at all, use that as a motivation to read the Bible; try to find out what God thinks about your situation; find out if any Biblical characters went through the same or similar experiences and how God saw them through.

Philosophizing (worrying continuously) about my circumstances will not help, it only expands the problem in my eyes making it seem as if it is too big for God to handle. On the other hand, reading the Bible makes me understand firstly, that, I am not alone and secondly, that, God is all knowing, all loving and all powerful.

When things become rough for you, take up the Bible and start reading. Pray to Jesus to do for you what he did for the disciples when he appeared to them.

When Peter and John healed a lame man, it became an occasion for Peter to preach about Jesus and once again, the Scriptures were his source material.

In both our readings this morning, we can see the great importance of the Scriptures. No wonder on great Saint said: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” Indeed, without the bible, we can never make sense of our lives.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, help me understand you better every day. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of Easter Octave. Bible Study: Acts 3:11-26 and Luke 24:35-48).