DATE : 9/4/2021
EVENT : Friday of the Octave of Easter
COLOUR: White
READINGS : Acts 4:1-12;
Resp. Psalm 117:1-2,4,22-27; John 21:1-14.
THEME: JESUS ALWAYS MEETS US AT THE POINT OF NEED
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Nineth day of April, which is the Fifth day of the Octave of Easter, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Jesus Always Meets Us At The Point Of Need". Beloved, I have come to discover that many of us want to have the benefits of Christianity and children of God, but not many of us are ready to accept the burden and difficulties that comes with it. Thus, the Christian faith is like a coin with two sides. You cannot pick only one side, it comes with blessings and difficulty. But, unlike must frivolous difficulty, the hardship that comes with the Christian faith, has a merit attached to it. Furthermore, apart from the fact that it has a merit, God is always accompanying us even in our most difficult moments. He knows that we are weak, that we fragile and subceptible. So, whenever He sees that the difficulty has passed our capacity, He comes handy, ready to assist.
In the first reading of today, Acts 4:1-12, we are told that Peter and John, having cured the crippled man at the beautiful gate, and having been cheered by the crowd, were captured and brought before the high priests and elders of the people as prisoners and law breakers. Thus, even before their Mission became ripe, Peter and John had begun to experience the persecution that accompanies the Christian way of life. But, true to his promise, Jesus came through for them, and gave Peter the courage and utterance that he needed at that time. We saw the same Jesus, coming through for his disciples in the narrative of today's Gospel reading, John 21-1-14. The disciples were discouraged and went back to their fishing business. But as expert fishermen, they caught nothing all night long, and just as they were about to retire at the break of light, Jesus came through and commanded them to let down their net for a catch. And when they obediently did, they hauled ashore, a large catch. Notice that Jesus did not prevent his disciples from experiencing persecution, difficulty and other forms of discouraging situation, but he always came to help them when he saw that they have reached the threshold of their strength.
Child of God, unlike the heretical teaching of prosperity, crossless journey and stressfree preaching of modern day Pentecostalism, the Christian faith, is ladened with difficulty, persecution and discouraging situations. Sometimes, it appears that the more Christlike you try to become, the more prayerful and holy you are, the greater will be the temptations that will come to you. Often times, we are tempted to lose faith, to draw back, to abandon God and to flow with the popular current among the people. But I wish to encourage you dearest in Christ, never allow any situation to discourage you, keep your faith burning, keep struggling and at the time and a way you least expect, God will come through, to lift you to a fresher and smoother ground. God will never fail you, He will never abandon you, He will never go back on His word. Indeed he is risen and is with us until the end of the ages.
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, increase my faith in the power of your resurrection and in the truth that you are truly alive! May I never doubt your life-giving word nor stray from your presence...
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 BELOVED FRIENDS
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. 💒
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