HOMILY/MEDITATION FOR THURSDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF EASTER 11TH APRIL 2024

HOMILY/MEDITATION FOR THURSDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF EASTER 11TH APRIL 2024

Acts 5:27-33; Ps. 34; John 3:31-36

Unrepentance Breeds Fear

For those who really desire to grow in life, the truth is always a catalyst, but for those who are obstinate in sin, the truth is irritating. This was the case in the first reading of today. After being set free by an angel of the Lord, the disciples obediently went to the temple to preach the truth about the gospel. Their listeners welcomed their teaching with open hearts because they desired true life.

The case was not the same with the high priest and members of the council. For them the message preached by the disciple was irritating because it made them guilty of the death of Jesus Christ. To be guilty of someone’s death means that the deceased person was not deserving of death. So, to preach that Jesus is resurrected means that he was not guilty of blasphemy and other accusations charged against him. Therefore, his accusers acted maliciously.

The Chief Priest and the council were ready to silence anything and anyone that will give the slightest impression that Jesus was killed unjustly. So, when the disciples expressed their unreserved determination to preaching the resurrected Christ, the council sought to kill them too. Even now, the truth has never stopped attracting rage from men.

Today, many persons find themselves in the situation of the members of the council – a situation whereby one has acted maliciously and needs another malicious act to cover up the early one. The second malicious act demands a third; and so, the chain continues such that they become malicious themselves.

Beloved, the message of salvation is not blackmail that aims at reminding us of our sins so as to keep us bound in them. Jesus did not resurrect to avenge his death but to give peace to the world. We are guilty of killing Him through our sins; let us not be further guilty of rejecting his mercy and forgiveness brought by his resurrection.

Whenever we remember those sins of which we have repented, we rejoice at the mercy of God. But whenever we remember those sins we are covering, we panic for fear of being discovered. Time heals almost everything – unrepentant sins is surely not one of them.