Are you an authentic witness of the Risen? (HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE OCTAVE OF EASTER APRIL 2023

Homily for Easter Tuesday

Acts 2:36-41. Psalm 33:4-6,18-19,20,22. John 20:11-18.

In the first reading, we have the at end of Peter's sermon, which was centred on Christ's resurrection, that there were added that day about three thousand souls (Acts 2:41).

The people who heard God's word through Peter were caught to the heart, and they immediately asked Peter what they must do to be converted? The word of God was for them, according to St. Paul "is a double-edged sword."

When we hear God's word, what is the effect in our lives? When we encounter God, to what extent does it transform us?

In today's Gospel, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene from whom He had driven out seven demons (Mark 16:9). With her conversion, her love for Jesus knew no bound. She loved much, and for this, she enjoyed the privilege of being the first person Jesus appeared to after his resurrection. Her love for Jesus made her seek Jesus.

Being a great seeker of Jesus, she found the Risen Lord. The Psalmist tells us that "God looks down from heaven on the children of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God" (Psalm 53:2).

For seeking Jesus, she was commissioned by Jesus to tell his brethren about his resurrection. As baptised Christians, we also have been commissioned to be witnesses to the resurrection by our way of living.

May God grant us the graces to be authentic witnesses of the Risen Lord through Christ our Lord. Amen