DATE : 6/4/2021
EVENT : Tuesday of the Octave of Easter
COLOUR: White
READINGS : Acts 2:36-41;
Resp. Psalm 32:4-5,18-20,22; John 20:11-18.
THEME: NOW, WHAT NEXT
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this sixth day of April, which is the second day of the Octave of Easter, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Now, What Next". Beloved in Christ, often times, people get carried away by emotions and feelings of a certain moment, that they forget that feelings and emotions are temporary energies, and will definitely subside with time. I have heard and seen people who got so carried away by their emotions at a particular moment that After acting based on impulse, they later begin to regret their actions or Promises. This is true especially with religious feelings. Sometimes, people make good promises and resolutions after listening to a challenging homily or after having a certain religious experience. I have seen people moved to tears when preaching was going on. I have also seen people who had an intense religious experience, especially after undergoing a certain program such as, 'Life in the Spirit Seminar', 'RCIA', or 'Catechism Class'. At such moments, they seem to be so affected by their experience. But, just days after that experience, they do not follow up on the movement of the spirit that has welled up within them. Just like many of us, who passionate followed the Lenten period, now that Easter has come and gone, what is our next plan of action?
Beloved in Christ, during this early period of Easter Octave, we shall be reading mostly from the book titled, "Acts of the Apostles". Now, the 'Acts of the Apostles', is not a comprehensive account of the dealings and activities of the entire disciples of Jesus. In fact, it concentrated mainly on Peter and Paul, and a few followers of Paul. However, it gives us an idea of the life and activities of the early Christian communities and how they lived faithfully in accordance to the preachings of the disciples of Christ. The book was written around A.D 63, by the author of the third Gospel, a physician known as Luke, who was a convert and disciple of St. Paul. Thus, today's first reading Acts 3:36-41, falls within the wider context of Acts 1:1-2:43, known in exegesis as, 'the Reign of the Pneuma'. It's remote context is Acts. 2:14-42, frequently referred to as, 'the first act of witnessing', by Scriptural scholars. Now, having been emboldened, by the Holy Spirit, Peter, as the leader of the early Christian, was the first to make a public witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus. He urged his listeners to believe in Jesus and be saved. And his words made deep impression on them all, such that they asked him, what next are we to do to be saved. And I strongly believe that they did not just stop at being emotional like many of us today, they made a decisive move and maintained it all through.
Beloved, the aim of the daily preaching and words of exultation that you hear, and even this my homily digest that you read every day, will not be achieved, if after listening to them, you merely enjoy it and fail to act by them. Now, that we have finished the Lenten fast and Abstinence, what is the next thing you have decided to do in order to continue on the path of holiness? Today, the people asked Peter, having heard all that you have said 'what must we do to be saved? And Peter answered, 'Repent from you sins'. Today, I say to you, if you wish to maintain this salvation which Christ has won for you, REPENT from your SINS and Evil habits. And pray for the grace to continue on the paths of holiness.
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 know the things that I must do, and the things that I must not do, and give me the grace to keep to them....
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
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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