DAILY HOMILIES #Peter

The fact that the Church continues to exist despite its long history of internal and external attacks is nothing short of a living miracle. It testifies that humans are not in charge, and God governs the Church. Over the years, many have sought to destroy the church, and many continue launching spurious attacks with hearts filled with hatred. In the end, just as Jesus said: “The powers of death can never prevail against the church.”

top looking at the enormity of your problems and start learning how to fix your gaze permanently on God; learn to practice being in God’s presence. When we often ask, “God, where are you?” we forget He is always there. Your situation may be so bad that you now expect only the worst to happen; everything may have gotten out of hand, and your whole world may appear to be collapsing before your eyes; know this: God is right here with you.

Are you looking to invest in eternity? Become a follower of Jesus. Deny yourself of sin’s pleasures. Let your light shine. Put God first. Today’s Gospel passage is part of Jesus’ response to Peter, who sought to dissuade Him from the path of the Cross. Jesus addressed Peter as Satan to highlight the danger of avoiding the Cross. Jesus came to the world to offer Himself as an oblation for mankind’s salvation; He did not come to enrich Himself with worldly riches.

Telling lies is very bad. Telling lies in God’s name is even worse. This is because when you claim to have received a message from God, and it turns out that the message was false, you make God look like a liar. For this, Hananiah died that year. Many so-called men of God “prophesied” great and wonderful things about this country on New Year’s Day. How many of such prophecies happened? Either they did not hear well when God spoke, or they did not hear from God. It pains me that they still refuse to admit the truth when confronted about their fake prophecies. Let us be cautious and discerning in our spiritual journey, for the consequences of false prophecies can be severe.

“There is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions and in the age to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30).

Avoid using others to judge your progress in life. We are social beings and tend to follow the crowd. Also, we derive a sense of achievement from knowing that we are doing better than others, especially those within our close circle. Even among Jesus’ disciples, there were rivalries and arguments about who was the greatest. (cf. Luke 9:46, Luke 22:24). Peter wanted to know if John would have to carry a heavier cross, but this inquiry was never necessary.

We all claim to love God, but the true test of our love for God is the quality of our sacrifice. If I say I love God, am I willing to let go of everything else for His sake? Many claim to love God but are only interested in the outcome of their relationship with God. Hence, when circumstances seem to offer nothing in return, they become cold towards God.

Peter’s experience in Caesarea (the Gentile town where Jesus made Peter head of the Church) teaches us to avoid judging people (or looking down on them) because they are not yet baptised. It shows that Jesus is a good shepherd who makes room for everyone, regardless of nationality, tribe, creed, or race. Peter was shocked that the so-called “pagans” received the Holy Spirit as the early Christians gathered in the upper room on Pentecost Day.

Jesus taught that while the manna was earthly food (never satisfied), the bread from heaven truly satisfies. The people said, “Give us this bread always.” Jesus replied: “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35). In other words, to have Jesus is better than having the whole world. No wonder St. Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in God.” Only Jesus can give us true satisfaction. Stephen was not afraid of dying because He knew he had Jesus.

Every great tree starts with a seed. When you hold the seed in your hand, it takes faith to see the tree. The council never imagined that this group of uneducated fishermen would amount to anything. Philip said to Jesus: “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” (John 6:7). You don’t need two hundred denarii to start something great. Start with whatever is available, no matter how poor or inadequate it may seem. As Jesus prayed over the bread and fish, pray over the little you have and leave the rest for God.

The fact that the high priest and his council dared to face the men who miraculously vanished from prison and even threatened them teaches me that no matter how many battles we fight and win, our enemies will not rest. Satan knows how powerful God is, but he never stops waging battles with God’s children. Temptations never really end.

Peter’s failure that night was God’s way of telling Peter that he is called to be a fisher of men (not of fish). It was also God’s way of teaching him about divine providence. Are you experiencing failure in some aspect of your life? It is time to ask: “Am I doing what God wants of me?” If God has given you an assignment, it will be hard to succeed in something else if you abandon God’s call.