Fr Augustine Inwang, MSP - Homily for 2nd Sunday of Easter- April 21, 2019

The wounds of Christ will heal our unbelief.

Last week we celebrated the resurrection of Christ from the dead. This momentous event changed the cause of history for Christians; sent men and women to the four corners of the earth to preach the Good news. During the Octave of Easter the Gospels present us with different apparitions of Christ to his apostles demonstrating that he had truly risen. He ate with them, preached to them and encouraged them to bear witness to his resurrection and he commissioned them to go out and preach the resurrection to all the nations.

In the Acts of the Apostles the baton is passed to the apostles as they carried out the divine mandate of their resurrected leader. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” Mk. 16:15. Because of the resurrection, these men who were coward, timid and easily intimidated when they saw Christ being persecuted became bold, strong, courageous, spirit-filled, fearless, brave and audacious in their preaching and in their zeal to convert the world, leading them to Jesus.  According to Peter, “We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard”, (Acts 4:20). They were able to withstand the powers that be and spoke truth to power. “They encouraged people to give their lives to Jesus and be converted for God was willing to forgive their sins. Because of this, we are told, “many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles” (first reading). Those who gave their lives to Jesus received healing and miraculous things happened in their lives. The Apostles on the other hand, were not afraid to suffer persecution themselves.  So with them we join our voices and say, “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting”, Ps. 118:2.

In the Gospel of today, Jesus appeared to the apostles and gave them his peace and the power to forgive sins. He invited Thomas to touch his wounds and be healed of his unbelief. Through the wounds of Jesus Thomas acknowledged the divinity of Christ. And Jesus blessed all those who did not see him in the flesh and yet believe in the power of the resurrection. Today is the divine mercy Sunday. On this Sunday God gave the power of forgiveness and reconciliation to the apostles and through them to us. The mercy of God flows to us through this sacrament. In this sacrament we touch the wounds of Jesus and become healed and declare his divinity. The mercy of God is most experienced in the sacrament of reconciliation. God is always merciful to his people and his mercy is everlasting on those who fear God.

The resurrection of Christ is invariably tied to the mission of Christ, the mission of discipleship and healing. Christ invited Thomas to touch his wounds and be healed of his unbelief. We cannot truly be healed if we do not touch the wounds of Jesus. What wounds do you want Jesus to heal for you? Is it anger, frustration, lack of forgiveness or weakness; is it alcoholism, drug addiction, sickness or death in the family? Whatever our wounds may be Jesus invites us to touch his wounds and be healed. We are wounded healers who must take our wounds to Jesus, touch his wounds and be healed. May the mercy of Christ flow from his wounds to heal us!

                                                            

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP.

Fr Ebuka Umekachikelu, MSP - Homily for 2nd Sunday of Easter- April 21, 2019

The second Sunday of Easter has come to be seen as divine mercy Sunday. As Jesus appears to his disciples he no longer calls to mind that they deserted him when he needed them most, he doesn’t mention the betrayal of Judas, and neither does he speak of the denial of Peter. As the word says I have cast all their sins behind my back. He empowers the apostles by breathing on them the Holy Spirit to do same. He patiently brings to faith again doubting Thomas. As we remember how much of his mercy we have received let us be also merciful to others.

For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world

Fr Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for 2nd Sunday of Easter- April 21, 2019

Homily of Divine Mercy Sunday Year C
In the first reading, we see the effect of the power of Christ’s resurrection in Peter. He was so transformed that, as we have read, “they even carried the sick out into the street and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least, his shadow might fall on the one or another… [and] they were all cured.” Peter’s transformation was in such a way that his shadow came not from day light but from the light of the Risen Christ.

The same light of the Risen Christ that shone on Peter shines on each one of us. Each of us is supposed to produce shadows of unity, peace, love, joy, understanding, reconciliation, healing, harmony, encouragement, justice, and mercy. Our shadow, in this regard, is the positive and life giving impact on others as a result of the light of Christ we receive. If our presence is not life giving, then we are in the dark; which is to say, we do not receive the light of Christ.

We read in the Gospel that Thomas was absent when Jesus appeared. He argued with the apostles and insisted, “Unless I see the mark of his nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Thomas longed for his own personal experience of Jesus. Jesus’ next appearance was to satisfy Thomas’ longing. When he experienced Jesus, his doubt was healed, and he made what I consider to be the greatest confession of faith in the Gospels: “My Lord and my God.” Thomas confessed who Jesus was for him. This is unlike other confessions of faith in the Gospels that seem to be mere descriptions of Jesus. For instance, Peter confessed in Matthew 16:16, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Nathaniel confessed in John 1:49, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” John the Baptist confessed in John 1:29, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John (the disciple whom Jesus loved) confessed in John 21:7, “It is the Lord.” Let Jesus, and nothing else, be our only Lord and God. It is not what people say about Jesus that matters. What matters is who Jesus is to oneself; that is one's personal relationship with Jesus.

Because of Thomas’ longing, he was privileged to be the only one who put his hand into the side of Jesus pierced by a lance. Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side…” Thomas’ longing earned him putting his hand into the source from which divine mercy flows. It came to pass as Thomas desired. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). We pray that we may desire to experience Jesus as Thomas did. May the words of God be fulfilled in us, “You will seek me and find me if you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

We are more privileged than Thomas because in the Holy Eucharist, we receive Jesus’ body, blood, soul and divinity. May we realize that truly it is Jesus, our Lord and God, we receive. May the blood and water that flow from Jesus’ side cleanse and sanctify us, and conform us to his image (Romans 8:29).

Jesus appeared to his disciples and blessed them saying, “Peace be with you.” May Jesus bless us with peace, the peace that drives out all fears and anxieties, the peace the world cannot give. May we have the same experience as St. John, as recounted in today’s second reading, “He touched me with his hand and said, ‘Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the one who lives…”

"For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world…. Eternal Father, we offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world." Amen.
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr Patrick Etuk, MSP - Reflections for Easter Sunday - April 21, 2019

7 Lessons of Easter

1. There is limit to what the evil one can do but God does the impossible. Satan thought that the worst he could do was to kill Jesus, but God raised him to new life, a life that has no limit anymore.  A life that is invincible, beyond the reach of all harm. The worst that evil can do is just the beginning of great things God will do in our lives. God will place you where the devil can no more have access to you.


2. Whatever pain and anguish we go through, there will be a third day experience. God can change our stories when we place our trust in him. At night there are tears but joy comes with dawn. He will turn the tomb of defeat and tears the enemy has placed us into a womb of joy and greatness. 

3. God cannot be out done in showing mercy. What is worse than killing the only son of God in such a cruel manner? yet God forgives. No sin is greater than God's mercy.

4. The risen Lord does not dwell in the past. He does not call to mind how he was abandoned, betrayed, falsely accused. He wants to start a fresh with everyone. We are new creatures in Christ.  Old things have passed away... Let's bury past hurts in his tomb drawing strength from the risen Christ to start a new.

5. Faithfulness will be rewarded. Mary Magdalene was the first to see the ressurected Jesus and be commissioned to witness to the risen Lord, she became an apostle to the apostles,  because even in death he did not abandon Jesus. She loved Jesus beyond death.


6.  The risen Lord goes in search of his apostles. God always takes the initiative to restore us to himself. Let's be at the forefront of working for peace and reconciliation.

7. The risen Lord restores faith. He patiently  brings his apostles back to faith in him. Is your faith weak? Are you faltering? Christ does not condemn you, he has come to restore you to faith.

🙇‍♀As we contemplate the risen Christ, may the new life he brings flourish in us. Amen. Happy Easter beloved in Christ.

Fr Ebuka Umekachikelu, MSP - Homily for Easter Sunday - April 21, 2019

This remains a point where Christianity differs radically from other faiths. The author and finisher of our faith our Lord Jesus was not just a great moral teacher, a guru but a savior. One who has come to redeem mankind and set him free from the power of death. His resurrection from the dead is the definitive proof, and gives eternal credence to his life and works.  He remains the surest guide to eternal life.  This is why scripture tells us thatthere is no name under the heavens by which we are saved except by the name of Jesus.

Lord I believe in what you have done for me.  You have taken away my fear of damnation, in you I have victory, in you I find life you are my only and sure hope.