Catholic homily for Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter
Theme: If God is for us, who can be against us?
By: Fr. Francis Onwnali
Homily for Friday April 16 2021
“In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us?.. who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death?… No, in all these things we have complete victory through Him Who loved us” (Rm. 31, 35, 37). This reassuring passage of the Scripture summarizes the readings of today. In the hardships of the Apostles and the hunger of the people, the love of God, made present in Christ Jesus, became the source of victory.
In the first reading (Acts 5: 34-42), Gamaliel, a Pharisee and doctor of law adviced the Sanhendrin to be careful in dealing with the Apostles in case they find themselves offending God. Such is the case for anyone who stands against truth. Remember, “many are the trials of the just man but from them all the Lord rescues him” (Ps. 34: 20). Do not allow your selfish desires to pit you against God’s plan or design.
In the gospel (John 6: 1-15), the beginning of the Bread of Life discourse, Jesus in the midst of scarcity, with five barley loaves and two fish feeds more than five thousand hungry people who have come to listen to Him.
Dear friends, amidst the trials and challenges of our world today where hardships, hunger, insecurity and frustrations are on the increase, the Word of God can be deeply appreciated when put in concrete terms. Today, Jesus not only fed the people with spiritual food, but He also quenched their physical hunger. Are we like the Apostles whose meager resources held back from reaching out? Or are we ready to share the little we have with the poor and hungry around us to provide protection and security?
I pray as we journey in life today, we will not be obstacle to God’s love and compassion on the needy. Your five loaves and two fish may be what is needed for a life to be saved. Do I want to eat alone? With the Psalmist we faithfully declare: “I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the Land of the living” (Ps. 27: 14). Have a victory-full day!
Fr. Francis Onwnali