DATE : 10/4/2021
EVENT : Saturday of the Octave of Easter
COLOUR: White
READINGS : Acts 4:13-21;
Resp. Psalm 117:1,14-21; Mark 16:9-15.
THEME: DIVINE OBEDIENCE IS NON NEGOTIABLE
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Tenth day of April, which is the Sixth day of the Octave of Easter, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Divine Obedience Is Non Negotiable". Beloved in Christ, I have heard many atheists who argue that the reason why the world is headed towards the way it does now, is because people cling so much to the teaching of their religion and do not care to apply reason to it. For them, religion and believe in God have caused more harm and have brought more division, dissension and anarchy in the world than good. However, some proponents of theocracy, have maintained that the world has retained order and tranquility for thousands of years because there is a divine power ruling all. They also maintain that rather than causing harm, the idea of God and His divine retribution have made people to coordinate themselves becomingly. Thus, even if God were not to truly exist, for there to be sanity in the world, man necessarily needs to create an idea of a supreme legislator. Because the fear of God instills right behaviour in the hearts of men.
Furthermore, evidences from the Scriptures and other ancient writings suggest that religion and God worship is as old as man himself. And from various parlance, the authority of God is always held higher than any other source of legislation. In fact, in the pre-science era, diviners are always believed to have the final say, since it is God himself who speaks through them. Thus, in the first reading of today, Acts 4:13-21, we are told that having considered the matter seriously, the Sanhedrin, called in Peter and John, and charged them never to speak about the resurrection of Jesus Christ or to work miracles in His name again. And Peter, being aware of the fact that divine obedience is non negotiable, asked them the one million dollar question: "you must judge whether in God’s eyes it is right to listen to you and not to God. We cannot promise to stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard". This is also in accordance with the command of Jesus to his disciples in the Gospel reading of today: 'Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation.’ So, Peter is not really acting any thing new. He is only doing what is rational and fitting to do. Divine Obedience is non negotiable.
Child of God, I have been asked several times, if it right to obey human authority at all times, and my answer has always been the same. Namely, that all authority comes from God and is a participation in the divine authority. And since the divine authority only wills the good and is always in accord with right reason and conduct. So, any authority that demands sinful actions from you or that goes against the code of natural reason or that tries to contradict the divine authority, should not command your submission. Listen to me dear friends, there is no ambiguity in the above assertion. Obedience to God is secondary to non. Although God cannot speak directly to us in these days, He has given us the ultimate command, to love and to preach the Good News of God's salvation to all. So, any order that goes against the law of love, and which does not promote the well-being of man and the salvation of souls should not have your respect.
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, help me to be obedient to you no matter the condition I may find myself. May no human element keep me from doing your will..
The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.
May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit ....Amen
HAPPY WEEKEND DEAREST FRIENDS
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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