Homily for April 3, 2018.
“They were
cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren,
what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ…’” Acts 2:37-38.
Today’s
first reading is the concluding part of a sermon given by Peter; the same Peter
who denied Jesus few days ago, the same Peter who could not defend his acquaintance
with Jesus, yet this same Peter gave a sermon that produced 3,000 converts in
one sitting. It was such a moving sermon that the people were so moved to the
point of asking Peter, “What are we to do?”
God works
greatly within us when we give ourselves to him. Peter having realized his
mistake at the sound of cock crow, he wept bitterly. The only difference
between Peter and Judas Iscariot was that while Peter dried his tears, Judas
could not move past his self-guilt. Judas cried to death. If only Judas had
come to Jesus to beg forgiveness, repent and move on, I am very sure that the
same Jesus who told us to forgive seventy seven times seven times would not
withhold forgiveness from him.
There comes
a time in our own lives when we have to stop crying over our past faults and
mistakes. There comes a time when we have to rise from our bed of guilt and
shame. There comes a time when we have clean the tears in our eyes so that we
can see clearly the image before us. Mary Magdalene obviously could not
recognize Jesus because of the tears in her eyes. Judas Iscariot cried so much
that he failed to see the loving gaze of Jesus extending his hands towards him
after his betrayal.
Dear
friends, it is time to stop crying! It is time to stop living in regrets. What is
gone is gone. Begin afresh. The God who used Peter to win 3000 souls just after
he denied Christ before a small slave girl, the God who used Paul to win
thousands of souls and write half of the New Testament is still alive today and
he is more than capable of using you regardless of your past.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, create in me a pure heart and renew my spirit
within me. Help me to dry my tears, to accept your forgiveness and to see your
face. Amen.
Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of
Easter Octave. Bible Study: Acts
2:36-41 and John 20:11-18).
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