HOMILY OF THURSDAY IN THE OCTAVEOF EASTER YEAR A
Acts 3:11-26, Luke 24:35-48
THEME: GOD IN US AND THROUGH US
We begin to see the true meaning of Christianity the day the story of Jesus becomes our own story; when people begin to see the difference we make and how through us, his power is made manifest.
If by God’s grace we are endowed with divine power, it creates a platform for us to lead people to God. True divine gifts help us to draw people’s attention to God. When we allow ourselves to be taken over by pride, we tend to draw people to our ourselves and not God. And this may lead to spiritual contamination, having given Satan the chance to lead.
In today’s’ first reading according to the Acts of the Apostles, Peter said to the people,
‘Why are you so surprised at this? Why are you staring at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or holiness? You are Israelites, and it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, who has glorified his servant Jesus, the same Jesus you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate after Pilate had decided to release him. It
Peter made the above declaration in response to the people’s reaction after he had healed the crippled man at the gate. He didn’t allow the people to give the credit of the miracle to him, but rather to Jesus. Every good gift comes from the Lord.
And again, there is another danger of not believing in what God can do in or through us. Jesus’ disciples, having lived with Jesus for three years coupled with seeing all the miracles he performed; they were still in disbelief over his resurrection. It took him time to convince them that he was truly risen.
“Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see, I have.”
We must believe in the mighty power of God before it can concretely manifest in our lives. And once we experience it, we must give God the greater glory. Often, we do not know the power we possess as Christians, or we underestimate it due to lack of belief.
May God’s light shine upon us to know how much he can achieve in us and through us. Amen.
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