DATE : 8/4/2021
EVENT : Thursday of the Octave of Easter
COLOUR: White
READINGS: Acts 3:11-26; Psalm 8:2,5-9; Luke 24:35-48.
THEME: LET CHRIST BE AT WORK THROUGH YOU
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Eighth day of April, which is the Fourth day of the Octave of Easter, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Let Christ Be At Work Through You". Beloved, it is often said that the best Orators are not does who could speak so well such that people are mesmerized by their words. No, the best orators do not speak with their voices alone; their eyes, their face, their hands and their feets, are all simultaneously eloquent. This means that, they have been able to maintain a good rhythm with all their body parts and sensory nerves. They maintain a symphony that keep people glued to them, not because they speak delighting words anymore, but because their words, and actions are in tandem with their entire being. A preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in like manner, does not speak about Jesus with his mouth alone, his entire existence which he owes to God, should radiate the power, and glory of God for his listeners to see and pick up. Thus, just as listeners move from merely hearing the words of the orator to picking the corresponding movements of his sensory organs in accordance with his words, so also, the hearers of the Gospel preacher would move from listening to the spoken words, to the spirit or force behind the speech.
Continuing from the passage of yesterday's first reading in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, in today's Pericope Acts 3:11-26, we are told that having seen and listened to Peter and John bearing witness to the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, everyone came running to them in utmost bewilderment, in order to discover the secret behind their words and actions. In his humility, Peter quickly disabused their minds from thinking that these works were done because of some special merit on their part. He continued by letting the people know that they are ordinary men like every one of them listening to him. The only difference is that, by choice of divine providence, it has pleased the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all powers in heaven and on earth belong, to use them as unworthy instruments to continue his saving work among his people; now that he is no more bodily present with them. Thus, unlike most preachers of today, Peter did not claim responsibility for the healing and great works. He didn't receive the accolades for the great work. He was not slow in redirecting the minds of the people who were already trying deify them, to Jesus Christ, who alone is the true source and Master of all. He did not concentrate the attention on himself, but was quick to make the people understand that they too are heirs and potential instruments in the hands of God, if they believe in Jesus Christ His Son, and dispose themselves for use by God.
Child of God, I want you to know that with the coming, death and resurrection of Jesus from the dead, no one has a monopoly of access to the powers at work in Jesus Christ. No one is an embodiment of all the divine riches. No one is the only source of blessing. No one is so special to God. We are are co-heirs and have equal access to the Father through Jesus Christ. So, as a minister of the Gospel, be humble enough like St. Peter, to let the people know that you are only an instrument in the hand of God. You are not a necessary instrument but an accidental one, of which anyone can become someday. Let people see God through you. Let the people know that you are not an end, but a means to the End, God. As a Lay believer, know ye that it is idolatry to divinize or deify a fellow creature. Know ye that it is a sin against the Holy Spirit, to attribute the powers and works of the Holy Spirit to any pastor, priest or man of God. All glory, acknowledgement, praise and honour should be addressed to the three Divine persons. Finally, as you live your daily life, make yourself available for use by God, so that through your words, actions or inactions, those who come in contact with you may experience God through you.
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 make myself a transparent mirror, so that those who experience me, may come to know and love you the more...
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. ⛪
No comments:
Post a Comment