HOMILY FOR THURSDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER
THEME: WHY DO YOU WONDER AT THIS?
BY: Ben Agbo (Rev Fr)
HOMILY FOR THURSDAY APRIL 21 2022
*Acts 3 : 11 – 26, Lk 24 : 35 – 48.
Faith is a practical confirmation of divine promise. It is the expectation that follows prayer; the result of miracles that follow every human – divine encounter. Whenever faith departs, there is no more Christianity. What you may have is ‘a form of religion where people profess a faith but deny the power theirin’, 2 Tim 3: 5. And this is what modern day Christianity is gradually turning into; when the Blessed Sacrament is locked away from people’s access in the name of pandemic caution; when people prefer to celebrate their Thanksgiving, Wedding and Funeral occasions without attending the mass; when people withdraw from going to Church because they have no money and promise to resume when their economy improves.
In today’s 1st reading Peter heals the lame man and asks the people; ‘Why do you wonder at this… as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?’ He reminded them that ‘faith in his (Jesus’) name has made this man strong whom you see and know’. This is MIRACULOUS FAITH.
Let me also talk of another brand of faith – SACRAMENTAL FAITH mentioned in today’s gospel where no miracle is worked except that Jesus manifests himself at the breaking of bread. He ate before them and made them understand the scriptures better – BIBLICAL FAITH. If we don’t have the special assistance of the Holy Spirit, scriptural exegesis can turn so dry and mechanical that it becomes useless for the edification of the faith of the people of God. We are at such a critical time in world history when the faith of Christians (clergy and laity) is being tested by the raging tempest of secularism. But the Lord is still our refuge. We pray God to help us not throw away our faith in the face of the new internet revolution, global secularism, new scientific realities and atheistic reasoning. May God bless you today!