HOMILY OF MONDAY OF THE 4TH WEEK OF EASTER.
Acts 11:1-18, John 10:11-18
THEME: OPENING THE DOOR
QUOTE: Wherever we go, we should know that God has been there before we got there.
God is not an author of confusion. He did not create division. His mission is to unite all his children. And Jesus Christ made a prayer at the end of his mission on earth as he prayed, “That all may be one.” Although unity of faith may not necessarily mean same doctrine, our oneness in the acceptance of Jesus as the Lord is a point of convergence. Moreso, God works outside the Christian fold, with every man or woman of good will. Just as Jesus prayed in John 17:20, “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word.”
In the first reading, Peter was criticized by the Jews in Jerusalem for associating with the uncircumcised. Unknown to them, his mission to the household of Cornelius in Caesarea was God’s own arrangement. God keeps expanding his family every day. And we must not create barriers where there is none. Wherever we go, we should know that God has been there before we got there. So, we are not bringing God to them. We can only make him known by our words and deeds. We can achieve this only when we allow his spirit to open to us the mysteries of his ways.
The all-embracing love of God is described in the image of Christ, the good shepherd. Jesus said,
“I know my own and my own know me.” In our interaction with people, we can pray to discern what their hearts long for, how it resonates with God’s invitation to a safe harbour. We must not deprive anyone of the truth that leads to freedom. We can be gentle. We can be more accommodating. We can open the door for more people to come and experience the love of God in Christ.
May we be welcoming agents in God’s kingdom. Amen.
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