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

HOMILY FOR TUESDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: STOP CRYING, REPENT AND BE BAPTISED

BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu

 

HOMILY:

“They were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ…’” Acts 2:37-38.

Today’s first reading is the concluding part of a sermon given by Peter; the same Peter who denied Jesus few days ago, the same Peter who could not defend his acquaintance with Jesus, yet this same Peter gave a sermon that produced 3,000 converts in one sitting. It was such a moving sermon that the people were so moved to the point of asking Peter, “What are we to do?”

God works greatly within us when we give ourselves to him. Peter having realized his mistake at the sound of cock crow, he wept bitterly. The only difference between Peter and Judas Iscariot was that while Peter dried his tears, Judas could not move past his self-guilt. Judas cried to death. If only Judas had come to Jesus to beg forgiveness, repent and move on, I am very sure that the same Jesus who told us to forgive seventy seven times seven times would not withhold forgiveness from him.

There comes a time in our own lives when we have to stop crying over our past faults and mistakes. There comes a time when we have to rise from our bed of guilt and shame. There comes a time when we have clean the tears in our eyes so that we can see clearly the image before us. Mary Magdalene obviously could not recognize Jesus because of the tears in her eyes. Judas Iscariot cried so much that he failed to see the loving gaze of Jesus extending his hands towards him after his betrayal.

Dear friends, it is time to stop crying! It is time to stop living in regrets. What is gone is gone. Begin afresh. The God who used Peter to win 3000 souls just after he denied Christ before a small slave girl, the God who used Paul to win thousands of souls and write half of the New Testament is still alive today and he is more than capable of using you regardless of your past.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, create in me a pure heart and renew my spirit within me. Help me to dry my tears, to accept your forgiveness and to see your face. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of Easter Octave. Bible Study: Acts 2:36-41 and John 20:11-18).

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