HOMILY OF THURSDAY OF THE 12TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Acts 12:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-1, Matthew 16:13-19
THEME: VICTORY OVER DEATH
Our courage is boosted the moment we no longer fear death. We often shy away from life threatening endeavours because we want to preserve our lives
The lives of Peter and Paul give us an assurance that if we do God’s bidding, no man has the power over us. Even if he allows the world to clamp down on us, he always has a purpose for whatever happens to us. The bottom line is that he will never allow our lives to be terminated until we achieve the purpose for which he has made us.
While Herod was on a large-scale spree to exterminate the apostles, after beheading James, he went ahead to arrest Peter, but God released him miraculously through the ministry of the angel, because his time had not yet come.
Paul said, in his second letter to Timothy, “The Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from all evil attempts on me, and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
God didn’t allow Peter and Paul to be killed until they fulfilled their missionary mandate. Though they were later martyred, it is good we know that the way we live holds greater significance than the manner in which we meet our end.
By the merit of Peter and Paul, may we borrow courage to stand up to our Christian calling so that no world values or human power will shift us from our divine calling. Amen.
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