Set Your Minds on Things Above.

Homily for April 16, 2017.

Today’s homily is contained in our first reading. Peter clearly explains the meaning of Easter and why today is worth celebrating: “They put him (Jesus) to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day” Acts 10:39-40.

We are celebrating today because death could not hold down Jesus Christ. He is Risen. Alleluia. But that is not the end of the story. As Peter continues, after Jesus rose from the dead, he did something – “And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify the he is the one ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead.” Acts 10:42.

Today, as we mark the great event of Christ rising from the dead, we also remind ourselves of our great commission to preach to the world. How will the world know that Christ rose from the dead if we don’t preach to them?

And how are we to preach to the world? How are we going to let the world know that Christ has risen from the dead? What evidence can we show to unbelievers that we serve not a dead God? St. Paul, in our second reading answers perfectly: By setting our minds on the things that are above.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God…” Colossians 3:2-4. This is where our second reading ends but if you continue reading on, St. Paul goes on to explain how we are to set our minds on things above.

From verse 5, St. Paul says: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry… In these you once walked, when you lived in them.” In fact, these things symbolize death for us as Christians 

St. Paul continues: “But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

The only way we can show the world that Christ has risen is when we change from our old ways and repent. If I used to know you as a thief or a liar before, and you come preaching to me that Christ is risen, the only way I would believe is when I see that resurrection in you; when I see you have stopped stealing or stopped lying!

If upon leaving the church today, we decide to return to our old ways, then what is the point of our 40days fasting, prayer and almsgiving? What is the essence of our stations of the cross all these while if there is no interior change in our lives?

If we have denied ourselves in certain ways and walked away from vice in the course of this period, then Easter should be seen a season to rejoice for the victory we have won over the devil.

The true joy of Easter is that we have been able to purify ourselves from sin, acquired new virtues and eager in pressing forward along the path of righteousness. If after today, we still continue in our old ways of sin, then it means that we are yet to rise with Christ; that we are still lying in the grave.

It was difficult for the people to believe in Christ when he was alive but when he rose from the dead, people became convinced. Our Gospel passage tells us how Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb and when they saw things for themselves, they believed!”

They saw the empty tomb, they saw the linen clothes and the napkin. They saw physical evidence! Dear friends, the world is waiting for us to show them the physical evidences of our new life in Christ.

Arise today, rise from the death of sin and bad habits, rise from immorality, rise from corruption; rise today. Let your light shine. Go tell it on the mountains, over the hills and everywhere, go tell it on the mountains that Jesus Christ is Risen.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, as Lent finally ends today, may the fruits of this season become evident in my new life. Amen.

Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Easter Sunday. Year A. Bible Study: Acts 10:34.37-43, Colossians 3:1-4 and John 20:1-9).

Fr. Abu.