SERMON/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF EASTER 19TH APRIL 2024

SERMON/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF EASTER 19TH APRIL 2024

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

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/only thing that is right about the person may become the springboard for his/her conversion.

Again, we come to see the importance 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.