Enlightened for Christ (HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THR 3RD WEEK OF EASTER APRIL 2023

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 9:1-20; Ps.117; John 6:52-59

Theme: Enlightened for Christ

The first reading of today presents us with the conversion of St. Paul. Although it is properly called conversion, but the conversion was more of an enlightenment on what is right than a movement from wrong to right. While Saul went to the high priest to obtain letters to the synagogues of Damascus to enable him legally arrest Christians, he thought of it as the right thing to do. Christians were seen as violators of the Jewish laws and customs. Consequently, as a devoted Jew, Saul took it upon himself to preserve the laws and customs given by God to Moses and handed on by his forefathers. Saul had a noble intention but lacked the right knowledge. Therefore, the conversion of Saul can be likened to a counselling experience on what is truly right.

There were many Jews persecuting Christians at that time. We may begin to wonder why the Lord specifically chose to encounter Saul. The conversion of Saul was also the commissioning of Paul to be an apostle of Christ. The zeal to do what is right marked him as a veritable instrument for the gospel. The Lord knew that should Saul be taught what is really right, he will use the same zeal to propagate and defend it.

From this, we learn never to give up in the hope that people can change for the better. Everything may be wrong about someone but that single thing that is right about the person may become the springboard for his/her conversion.

Again, we come to see the important of right teaching in living and propagating the gospel. It is not enough to know the truth and live by it, we necessarily have to teach it. If we fail to teach the truth, we leave the “novice” with no option other than to be swerved by false information coated as truth. The fact remains that false teachings trend when the truly knowledgeable remain silent. Also, we all need the experience of Saul; we need to learn more on what is right so that we can act more rightly and channel our energies properly.

Furthermore, the conversion of Saul leaves us with a lesson on what to do with those who go astray. Before we judge, let us care enough to listen pathetically. The antidote to some misdeeds is to show the wrongdoer more love bathed with understanding. Some wrongdoers are ready to change so long as we care enough to understand their own side of the story, withhold judgment and be patient with them as they struggle out of the vices they have been accustomed to. As images of God, the conversion of sinners should be our utmost priority.

OR

Homily for the 3rd Week of Easter

Acts 9:1-20. Psalm 117:1,2. John 6:52-59.

"Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel" is our Responsorial Psalm today, and this is what the conversion of Saul in the first reading resulted in . Saul's conversion is one of the most remarkable stories of the Bible. It is a story with many lessons, among which is the fact that God still retains the power to intervene in history in a remarkable manner.

Saul had spent time and energy persecuting the Church, thinking he was doing God's will, but through his conversion, things turned around for his good and the good of the Church. Perhaps, how far he had gone and how neck deep he was in his belief of Christianity being a misfit was the reason God needed to intervene in a manner that would leave him in no doubt that a change was absolutely necessary.

In his conversion, he learnt some important lessons. He learned that when he was full of himself, when he was doing what he wanted, he was ravaging the Church of God. After his conversion, he began to do what God wanted him to do. This made the difference his life. He will be ready to lay down  his life for Christ.

His teaching on the Church as the body of Christ (cf.1 Cor.12:12-30) has its origin in his experience on the road to Damascus. The Lord said to him, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9:5). In persecuting Christ 's followers, he was persecuting Christ himself.

Another important point in  Saul's conversion is that  there is already a structure existing in the Church. Saul was received into the Church by Ananias. And Ananias laid his hands on him, saying, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately, something like scales fell from something eyes, and he regained  his sight. Then he rose and was baptized" (Acts 9:17-18).

Salvation is mediated through human instruments, those instruments commissioned by the Church to mediate salvation.

In today's Gospel, Jesus did not compromise his teaching about the Holy Eucharist as his body and blood. Many could not comprehend, and many others could not accept his teaching in saying that his  flesh and blood are food and drink. Yet, Jesus was not willing to accept or make an adjustment. The more his listeners opposed it, the more He insisted.

The truth of the Eucharist is a doctrine a Christian has to accept and adhere to. It is the true bread from heaven. Without accepting the truth of the Eucharist, one can not belong to the community of Christ's disciples. How convinced am I in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist? What is the implication of our receiving him unworthily?

 

May God strengthen our faith more in the Holy Eucharist to receive Jesus in a state of grace always through Christ our Lord.