Homily for April 13, 2018.
“Keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this
undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able
to overthrow them.” Acts 5:38-39.
The wise words of Gamaliel are worth pondering upon today. If this plan
or this undertaking of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be
able to overthrow them. Could this not be the reason why many of our
businesses, plans, projects and establishments fail?
Do I involve God in my plans and undertaking? Where and upon whom do I
place my foundation when beginning anything? As Gamaliel rightly points out,
whatever is established on human foundation, whatever is of men will surely
fail eventually but that which God is involved is bound to last forever.
At least one proof the world has to show that Christianity is firmly
established on God is that it is still standing strong to this day. No one can
fight God. Indeed as Jesus puts it: “you are Peter, and on this rock I will
build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.” Matthew
16:18.
Our Gospel passage today finally moves away from the scene of Jesus
speaking with Nicodemus. Jesus practically demonstrates his love and concern
for the people who came to attend his crusade as well as his power over the
world and everything in it through the feeding of the five thousand.
The fact that none of these people even asked Jesus for food and that
none of them was even expecting to be fed shows me that I serve a God who I can
totally trust and rely upon. A God who sees my tears from afar; A God who knows
me in an out and can detect my hunger even before I begin to pray.
Secondly, the feeding of multitude teaches me the power of charity. Each
time we share our goods or resources with others, each time we help each other,
a miracle happens; that which we share never gets exhausted. Have you noticed
that the same amount of food when eaten alone does not give as much satisfaction
as when it is eaten with others? As Anne Frank once said: “No one ever became
poor by giving.”
Thirdly this miracle displays the power of God over the works of nature
and everything contained in this world. Wouldn’t it simply be foolish if I
ignore God in my plans and projects? Why do I tend to rely more on people
rather than God?
The greatest mistake we can ever make is to push God aside from our day
to day endeavours; we only help to confirm the words of Gamaliel.
Today we remember St. Martin, Pope and Martyr who lost his life in the
course of performing his duties as Pope and the defence of the truth. Emperor
Constance must have felt that by killing the Pope, he would just put an end to
Christianity. But here we are today, the Christian movement is still striving.
Truly, no one can fight God
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to lay my foundation solidly on you and not in my
personal efforts. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter. Bible Study: Acts 5:34-42 and John 6:1-15).
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