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

YEAR A: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER

HOMILY THEME: THE RESURRECTION IS OUR HOPE

BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU

HOMILY: READINGS: ACTS 3:11-26, PSALM 8, LUKE 24:35-48

As we advance in our celebration of Easter even as we strive to comprehend the unfathomable mysteries surrounding Jesus’ saving mission; we are called today by Peter to believe in the risen One whom God sent to us to bless and turn us from our evil and wicked ways (Acts 3:26). We are likewise, challenged by Peter to repent and be converted, that our sins may be wiped away, and that the Lord may grant us times of refreshment… (Acts 3:19-20). This is looks back to Luke 24:46ff where Christ himself reminded his apostles that in his name repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be preached. Besides, like the apostles, who Christ says ‘are witnesses to these things’ (Lk. 24:48, Acts 3:15), we are called to testify to the death and resurrection of our Lord Christ. Also, we may like to emulate the attitude of Peter who after curing the lame man, never took the glory and praise but returned same to Christ.

Dearly beloved in Christ, there is no need gainsaying the fact faith in Christ and believe that the resurrection is no phantom or hallucination but a reality is of the essence as regards our Christian vocation. Ours is a religion founded on HE who in actual history faced and fought and conquered death by rising from hades – Jesus the Christ. Furthermore, that repentance and conversion is expedient to the Christian call cannot be belaboured. In fact people of all nations according to the mind of Christ are to be made to recognize how needful repentance is if forgiveness was to be granted. The Church therefore was not left in the upper room; it was sent out into all the world to occasion the salvation of the all peoples.

All of us have a part in this mission of Christ: taking the good news of the resurrection and forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name to our community meetings, business places, offices, homes, play zones, street corners and wherever there are straying souls. Before we do this however, we must wait for Christ in wise passivity so that he’ll clothe us with power from on high. Action without preparation often results in stark failure, hence the need for us to wait whilst praying him to empower us for the mission at hand. The times we retreat to be with God are needful; for then, we lay aside the many tasks that life offers us that we may be strengthened to carry out same tasks.

FEED THE POOR NEEDY AROUND YOU