YEAR A: HOMILY FOR FRIDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER (1)

YEAR A: HOMILY FOR FRIDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER

HOMILY THEME: IT IS THE LORD

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY: (Jn. 21:1-14) Friday in the Octave of Easter.

In today’s Gospel Jesus again appeared before the apostles in a place they frequented and was very familiar with – by the shore and at sea. They heed His instructions to lower their nets and caught a lot of fish even if they were not certain who He was. PETER, however, recognized Him, “It is the Lord!”

“It is the Lord!” This is an expression of a deep experience of the risen Lord. Seeing here is not of the eyes nor the human JESUS. It is seeing with the eyes of faith and Jesus risen. From Mary, to the disciples, and now PETER, the Gospel writers always inform the readers that at first they did not recognize Jesus risen or have some doubts as to who He really was. The recognition, which comes from faith, is aided by some factors which were derived from their previous experience with Jesus. Examples are; MARY was called by name, breaking of bread with the explanation of the Scriptures as a prelude, eating fish, and now, the casting of net.

The disciples were in a dilemma. Will they continue to stake their lives for Jesus? Or, because of their uncertainty, they would rather go back to their previous lives? Let us admit that we have the same dilemma. Born Catholic and raised as one, but we grapple with the truths of our faith. Does God really provide? Opens doors? Forgive? Love enemies? Offer life for faith? We belong to the faith but our commitment is questionable. How can we laid killings? Why do we tolerate disrespect and bad words? Is discrimination part of our faith? So much reflection and rethinking must be done. Faith, through, religion is necessary. But the faithful must be authentic and sincere. Can you say, “It is he Lord,” with total conviction?