Homily for April 11, 2018.
“The high priest rose up and all his companions… and, filled with
jealousy, laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail. But
during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led
them out, and said: “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the
people everything about this life.”
“When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and
taught. When the high priest and his companions arrived, they convened the
Sanhedrin, the full senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the jail to
have them brought in.
“But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison, so
they came back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked and the guards
stationed outside the doors,
but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
“When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this
report, they were at a loss about them, as to what this would come to. Then
someone came in and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are in
the temple area and are teaching the people.” Acts 4:32-37.
Anyone who sets out to do God’s work will always enjoy Divine Protection
from God. God fights for the poor and will never turn a deaf when the innocent
calls.
As Jesus tells Nicodemus in today’s Gospel passage, our world today is
filled with too many people who prefer darkness to light; people who will try
everything possible to prevent the light of Christ from shining; people who try
to cut short the life of God’s genuine messengers.
“And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people
preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who
does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light.” John
3:19-20.
Are we then to stop letting our light shine because of the powerful
forces of darkness who try to stop us? Not at all. The battle belongs to the
Lord. When anyone tries to fight us for walking in the light, we should not
fear because God will grant us victory!
Our responsorial psalm wraps everything us beautifully when it says:
“The Angel of the Lord is encamped around those who fear Him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is Good. Blessed is the man who seeks refuge in
him.” Psalm 93.
Today also, we remember St. Stanislaus, a one-time bishop of Cracow in
Poland who was murdered by King Boleslaus II while he was celebrating Mass.
Dear friends, God is always there for us even though sometimes, he prefers to
just take us to himself away from the wickedness that surrounds our world.
Above all, we are called to embrace light and stop dwelling in darkness.
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my trust in your protection that I may fearlessly walk
in your light. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 2nd Week
of Easter. Bible Study: Acts
5:17-26 and John 3:16-21).
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