THEME: NO ONE IS EVER WRITTEN OFF IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD-HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF EASTER 6th May 2022

THEME: NO ONE IS EVER WRITTEN OFF IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD-HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF EASTER 6th May 2022

Acts 9:1-20

The reading of today from the acts of the apostles communicates the conversion of Saul. An irreversible moment in the life of the persecutor who breathed fury against the early Christian community, the Church. A key moment in this encounter is the response of Jesus to the question of Saul: “who are you?”. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5). Rooted in this response is the Apostles’ teaching on the church as the body of Christ. Jesus. Although Christ had ascended into heaven, he continues to be present on earth, in the church. He is the church. This experience guided St. Paul and the Apostles in the teaching that the church through the Holy Spirit is a single mystical body whose head is Christ, and we are all his members. Consequently, all violence and wounds inflicted upon the church are harm done to Christ. The church nevertheless, invites her Christians to constantly make an act of reparations to the sacred heart of our Lord Jesus Christ for the numberless privations that he had suffered. 

Another, lesson we can take home from this narrative is that no one is ever too late to be redeemed by God. The man or woman who had been judged and condemned by men always has a second chance before God. God does not condemn. No one is ever written off in the presence of God. The bitter persecutor of the infant church Saul was redeemed by Christ on his road to Damascus when the bright light from heaven shone upon him. From Saul, he became Paul and finally a Saint in the church. God can turn our bitterness/sorrow into joy and our weakness into strength. No matter how dark your life seems to be, how damaged and irredeemable people may think you are, God's presence, his bright light of glory can illuminate your path and transform your life. God's mercy is beyond your misery. Submit yourself entirely to God this day.

As you begin your daily activity this day, may the bright light of Christ dispel every darkness, every error in your life, illuminate your pathway.

Have a fruitful day

Fr Remi osj