Homily For Saturday in Octave of Easter, 11th April, 2026

Readings: Acts.14:13-21; Ps.118; Mark 16:9-15

Rev Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WE ARE CALLED TO BEAR AUTHENTIC WITNESS OF THE RISEN LORD TO HUMANITY

After the resurrection of Jesus, he appeared to his disciples on different occasions. Today in our Gospel passage, he appeared to the eleven apostles and commissioned them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. This is what Peter and John exercised in our first reading today.

Here, the rulers, elders and scribes were astonished at the great witness shown by Peter and John, so they tried to prevent them and other disciples from spreading any further the Good News about the risen Lord, by attempting to suppress them through fear and intimidation.

However, the disciples were not ready to give in to fear or pressure, for they were encouraged and strengthened by the Lord through the Holy Spirit, since they were no longer the same people who hid in the fear of the authorities. Instead, they openly rejected the orders from the Sanhedrin and continued to carry out the missions which God had entrusted to them.

Hence, the mandate of this mission has been repeated in our liturgy throughout this octave of Easter, to remind us of our mission as Christians. It also allows us to review our Easter experience, so as to examine ourselves to know the impact the week has made on us.

Dear friends, to what extent have we been able to bear witness to the world about the risen Lord? As disciples of Christ, we are mandated to share the Good News of salvation provided by Christ Jesus to all creation. We are to do so not just in silence, but in words and actions, which are seen in our ways of life.

So, friends, what can we do to ensure that the Gospel reaches out to all creation? How best can we spread this Good News, especially in this time of difficulty when the world is looking for answers to the fundamental reality of human life?

The answer to these fundamental questions is rooted in our first reading today, where we are made to know that the best way to preach the Gospel today is by our way of life. Today, many voices are preaching the Good News, but only a few are bearing authentic witness to the Gospel. Therefore, let our lives bear authentic witness to the Gospel of the Lord.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, give us the grace and courage to bear authentic witness of your Gospel in a world where people are confused and no longer pay attention to your word. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a peaceful weekend.