THE BENEFITS OF KNOWING WHO SEND US.*

*HOMILY OF MONDAY 12TH OF APRIL, 2021
SECOND WEEK OF EASTER YEAR B*

R1:- Acts 4:23-31
PS:- 2:1-3.4-6.7-9
Accl:- Colossians 3:1
Gosp:- John 3:1-8

*THEME: THE BENEFITS OF KNOWING WHO SEND US.*

Divine wisdom helps us to distinguish physical matters from the spiritual. The flesh cannot do the work of the Spirit.

One, who is sent must surely give report. When we forget the sender and begin to play both roles of the sender and the sent, we will be carrying burdens that we cannot manage. Moreover, knowing who sends us on an errand helps us to know how we channel whatever challenges we may face in the way.

In our today’s gospel, Jesus told Nicodemus, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God…..Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:1-8

No man can predict the ways of the Lord, unless he himself has made them known. He makes his ways open to those who submit to his Spirit. Hence, those who live under God’s divine direction cannot be defined by human standard or by carnal minds. Judging them by human measures will amount to errors.

More so, when God gives us assignment, we must not fall for the temptation of carrying it out in human terms. The challenges we face in our work for God must be reported to him directly. We muddle things up when we report God’s business to man. Though God uses man to bless man, he must be the first point of call.

In our today’s first reading, ” when Peter and John were released they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God…..And when they had prayed, the place in which they gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:23-31.

The disciples did not resort to human solution, Rather, they sought divine intervention, since it is God’s work.

Our God can speak for himself. He can perform his wonders in manners in which man cannot fathom.

While the disciples were praying, they said, ” And now Lord look upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Ours is to be strong for the Lord, his is to do his work in us wherever we go. Our challenges are nothing compared to his immeasurable power.

Let us dedicate our lives to the Lord. Let us strive to do nothing without consulting him. We must drop any manner or undertaking that cannot find acceptance in his presence. Whatever we do must be in God so that he will always empower us to carry on.

Lord, may we never forget that you are our sole compass. Always give us the enablement to hold your righteous banner. Thy kingdom come. Amen.