Homily For Thursday Second Week of Easter, 11th April, 2024

Readings: Acts.5:27-33; Ps.33; John 3:31-36

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

WHY HAVE WE FAILED TO CHOOSE GOD ABOVE HUMAN AUTHORITY? 

As the persecution of the apostles continued, the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin forbade them from preaching in the name of Jesus as we have it in our first reading today. But the apostles spoke out boldly saying: It is better for us to obey God than men. They stood firm and witnessed all that they had experienced. Their testimony was directed by the Holy Spirit, who is given to all those who respond to God with the obedience that comes from faith. 

So, they continued to preach in the name of Jesus and their accusers could not stop them even though they had been strictly forbidden to do so. Such is the grace and courage we receive when we experience the power of the risen Lord. We will not be afraid to witness because we are convinced that Jesus is the One who comes from above, the One whom God has sent to speak the words of God. He is the Word of God who came to bear testimony to what he has seen and heard just as we heard him telling Nicodemus in our Gospel passage, that anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life: the anger of God stays on him.

Dear friends, why have we failed to choose God over human authority? Why have we prepared to obey human laws while neglecting God’s laws? So, as Christians living in a world where our faith is being challenged every moment, especially with the ugly situation of faithless, conflict, sickness and poverty in our society, we must still have to make costly choices of choosing to obey God rather than men and not give in because of persecution, hunger, poverty or our worldly ambition. Everywhere we find ourselves be it in business, relationships, politics or family life we have to make decisions about remaining honest, truthful, and faithful to our faith and commitments to God above that of any human authorities. 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, give us grace and courage to constantly obey You above any human authority, especially in times of difficulty, hunger, striving, sickness, and persecution. Never let us deny You because of worldly pressures and difficulties or be put to shame, as we place all our hope in You. Amen. It’s a new day, be strong and be focused for the Lord has promised to be with us till the end of time.