DAILY HOMILIES

How Do We Turn Off The Worry-Machine in Us? Jesus answers: “Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms.” In other words, the cure for constant worry is faith in God. Remember that the book of Hebrews defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). To have faith is to be assured of God’s protection even when all you see with your eyes is danger. To believe in God is to be convinced that God sees and knows what to do regardless of your present circumstances.

Indeed, God can use anybody. However, like a pencil that must be sharpened to write well, we must learn to humble ourselves to become proper instruments in God’s vineyard. Let not your pride become a stumbling block for those who seek to draw close to God.

While addressing the believers, Peter said: “Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas… His office let another take.” (Acts 1:16 & 20). In other words, the office is indispensable, but the office holder can be replaced anytime. No matter the position you occupy, there is someone who can take your place and even do a better job. Please do your best, but take it easy; no matter how good you are, you cannot be there forever. As Matthias was elected to the office once held by Judas Iscariot, all other apostles were eventually replaced by others.

The Church in Antioch was vibrant because it was a church of converts. Barnabas knew Antioch was the best place for Saul’s faith formation after converting to the faith. Converts do better than traditional Christians. They are on fire for God; having willingly left their past lives behind, they do not mind going to extreme lengths to live out their faith. Converts are like persons falling in love for the first time; there is no pretence. The believers were called Christians because they lived like Christ.

Peter’s experience also reminds us of Jesus’ warning to the Jews: “Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you, God is able, from these stones, to raise children to Abraham.” (Matthew 3:9). Let us avoid pride. The fact that someone is not a church member does not mean they don’t have access to God. To successfully convert a person, you must respect and recognise their previous beliefs.

Jesus did not say, “All those who come to gather around me are my sheep.” Instead, He says: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me.” These three qualities distinguish the sheep of Christ: First, the sheep must hear the voice of Christ. How often do you read the Bible and meditate on it? Secondly, when Christ says “I know them,” no one can pretend to be his sheep; you are either with Christ or with another shepherd. Thirdly, Jesus says, “They follow me,” which means they behave like me. The sheep of Christ are Christ in the world.

By asking if the twelve wished to leave, Jesus was testing their commitment. Like the crowd, Jesus knew that the twelve did not understand the Eucharist, but He wanted to know if their faith was strong enough to withstand tough times. If you cannot endure the bad times, you won’t be around to enjoy the good times. If Peter had walked away from Jesus when He taught about the Eucharist, would he perform signs and wonders in today’s first reading?

Since the Holy Eucharist makes us part of Christ, anyone fighting you for being a Christian is fighting Christ. The Holy Eucharist is the best protection any human can ever have. As Jesus protected the Christians in Damascus from Saul’s raid, Jesus would surely protect you from the plans of your enemies, whether known or unknown. As a communicant, no one can cut short your life or kill you before your time.

The Ethiopian Eunuch must have prayed for insight, and God sent Philip to him. When Philip asked if he understood his reading, the eunuch was humble enough to admit: “How can I unless someone guides me?” This story teaches us that the Bible alone is not enough. The Bible is just one leg of a tripod; the other two are Sacred Tradition (which existed before the compilation of the Bible) and the Magisterium (the church’s teaching authority). The Bible contains God’s word, yet without the other legs of the tripod, we cannot fully benefit from it.

Learn to embrace change and avoid shortcuts; if your path requires you to walk through hell, walk as though you own the place. Remember, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”(Psalm 30:5). Jesus says: “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of man comes.” (Matthew 10:23).

While Stephen defended himself before the council, he said: “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56). This is what we profess in the Apostles Creed: “On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.” Do not live only for this life. There is a better home waiting for us in heaven. Do not be afraid to die in defence of the truth. Your reward will be great in heaven.

Be careful with those you argue with. Like these men who disputed with Stephen, some people may use arguments as a mask to unleash their demonic agenda. Don’t try to win every argument. Some people want to be heard. Listen to them. Do not make enemies over matters of doctrine. Otherwise, the only person who gains is the devil.