Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year B
Readings: Acts 3:13-17-19b 1 John 2: 1-5a Luke 24:35-48
Theme: You are witnesses
Today is the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year B, and also the Catholic Church in Nigeria celebrates mothering Sunday. A celebration that presents us the opportunity to appreciate and celebrate our mothers for their role in promoting the goodness of God in our lives, families, the church and the world at large. This is in line with the theme of our reflection for this Sunday; you are Witnesses. It is an invitation for us to witness to the resurrection of Christ with our word and deed. By so doing, we will be promoting the reign of Gods kingdom here on earth; as true ambassadors of Christ. May God bless mothers all over the world.
In the 1st reading for today, we see Peter witnessing to the resurrected Christ, by ministering to the people and making them come to terms with the reality that Jesus has resurrected from the dead as he promised. He also went a step further by making excuses for their leaders, by saying they acted in ignorance. His action shows us that as disciples and witnesses we have to be slow in judging people, and imbibe the way of Jesus through showing mercy. Like Jesus, we have to be patient and give people the opportunity to come out of their ignorance, to come out of their darkness and embrace Christ who is the light of the world.
When you look at the second reading of today, you see an injunction given to us by John himself who says that to keep the commandment of God is a sign that one is a true follower and disciple of Christ. He points out the fact that one of the ways to witness for Christ in our time is by living out the word of God in our daily life. As we live out his commandments, we become true witnesses of his word that we hear and carry in our lives.
In the gospel reading for this Sunday, we see the mandate given by Jesus himself as he admonishes and tries to strengthen the faith of his disciples. He eats with the people and use the opportunity to teach them something new about his mission and presence in their midst. By so doing raising their consciousness about the need to be true witnesses of his presence among his people. When we take all these into consideration, one thing that readily comes to mind is the fact that we are all called to witness to the resurrected Christ in our daily lives with the type of life we lead.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, a very important question we need to ask ourselves is ‘what is the quality of my witnessing for Christ?’ It is important that our daily life shows that we are truly ambassadors for Christ by our way of living. By so doing, our witnessing will bear lasting fruits in the lives of all those who encounter us at one time or the other in our journey of faith.
We pray that God will grant us the grace to be true witnesses of Christ where ever we find ourselves. Peace be with you. Amen.