DAILY HOMILIES

In our first reading, Paul and Silas found themselves in prison for doing the work of God. Rather than fall into despair, they burst into singing and praying. At midnight, there was a great manifestation of the Holy Spirit. All the prison doors were opened and the chains of all the prisoners there were unfastened.

If we must witness at all for Christ, then we need the Holy Spirit; He is the Principal Agent of Evangelization. As Paul and his companions traveled, they were successful not because of their eloquence or knowledge, but as a result of the Holy Spirit working in the hearts of their listeners.

So, how do we win quality souls for God’s kingdom? Our three readings today speak in favour of love; loving without discrimination, loving our enemies and loving others just as Jesus loved us.

Until we begin to love those who hate us, we cannot claim to be children of God. A heart that does not forgive is a heart that is yet to receive Christ. Until we stop praying for our enemies to die, we cannot claim to be children of God. Jesus says “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; (Matthew 5:38-39)

Although friendship with God comes at a cost, there is a great prize/reward for it. Jesus says: “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16).

Jesus couldn’t have been lying when He said: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:10-11) Circumcise your heart. Clean it up. Take away from you whatever is indecent, immoral and in conflicting terms with God’s commandment and you will find true joy.

It is through these pruning experiences that we get to be better Christians. Do you hope to bear fruits? Then expect constant pruning. Do not have the attitude of one who feels that God is owing him or her. Don’t expect trophies for being a good Christian, you would never know when pride would take you over.

The peace Jesus gives us is not the peace of material comfort but a peace that makes us happy even in poverty. Jesus says: “Foxes have holes, birds of the air have nests but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58). In truth, only in God can we find rest for our troubled hearts.

Philip and James teach us that as ordinary as we may see ourselves, we are not useless to God. Even though not much is said about them in the Bible, we cannot undermine their importance as far as the growth of the early Church is concerned.

As the saying goes: “all lizards have their bellies on the ground, no one knows which has a running stomach.” We come to church but the truth is that some of us have become like try branches; our relationship with Jesus is long dead. Today, is another day, God is giving you a second chance to reconnect again. If Paul could become a preacher, who says you, despite your past cannot do the same?

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says to us twice: “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it… if you ask anything in my name, I will do it…” In saying “I will do it,” Jesus is telling us that He is both God and mediator at the same time.

Today we celebrate the fact that Mary intercedes for Africa. When Herod sought to kill the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph took shelter in Africa. At a time when our continent is faced with the turmoil, suffering under the yoke of neo-colonialism, we need Mother Mary’s intercession more than ever.