2019-04-24 Homily Wednesday Octave of Easter

2019-04-24 Homily Wednesday Octave of Easter

Peter honestly did not have money but he knew he had God. He was not ashamed of his poverty because he knew he had something more than money. “Silver and gold I do not have but what I have, I give to you. Rise up and walk.” Peter was the opposite of today’s men of God who brag with their riches and make a show of their charities (giving just to attract attention).

Peter knew what he had and he valued it above anything else. He was not enticed with gold and silver. It is this same Peter who would say to Simon the Magician who had offered him money to receive the power of the Holy Spirit: “Your silver perish with you because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!” ().

The encounter between Peter and the lame man at the Beautiful gate speaks volumes to us. The lame man begged for handouts...he just wanted what would give him the next meal...he asked for what would guarantee his survival for the moment. Isn't this our story? Too often we get onto our knees praying...begging God with tears in our eyes for handouts...we ask for money...we ask for things we can see and feel. And how sad we become when we don’t receive these material things.

The question for us today is: As a child of God, do I really know what I have? What value do I place on my relationship with God? Why do I envy the rich so much?

Peter honestly did not have money, but he knew he had God. He wasn't ashamed of his poverty because he knew he had something more than money. “Silver and gold I do not have but what I have, I give to you. Rise up and walk.” Peter was the opposite of today’s men of God who brag with their riches and make a show of their giving just to attract attention.

In our Gospel passage today, we read about the two disciples who were walking away from Jerusalem in utter disappointment. They were expecting that Jesus was going to take over power from the Romans. Their discipleship had been based on their hope of political power. These disciples are not too different from us who go to church with a purely materialistic mindset.

For instance, someone wrote a mass intention for me stating that (I quote): “God should put fire in the heart of my helpers… disturb them so that they would not have rest till they locate me…” How am I supposed to offer this type of intention to God? Dear friends, for anyone who worships God solely for the things of this world, he or she would always be disappointed like these two disciples.

Jesus met them on their way to Emmaus and like Mary Magdalene, they did not recognize Jesus taking him as just an ordinary passer-by going their direction. When our hearts are too preoccupied with material pursuits, we not only find it difficult to pray, we find it very difficult to recognize the presence of Jesus.

Peter knew what he had and he valued it more than anything else...he wasn't tempted with gold and silver. It's this same Peter who would say to Simon the Magician: “Your silver perish with you because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!”

Jesus then took his time to explain to them the necessity of suffering in a homily which made their hearts burn within them. Jesus made it clear to them He had not come as a political messiah. Jesus did not come to free us from poverty. To Judas Iscariot, Jesus said: “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. (). You see,Jesus did not come simply to give us silver and gold. Jesus came to bring us something money can never buy; the salvation of our souls.

Let us sing: You take the whole world and give me Jesus. You take the whole world and give me Jesus. You take the whole world and give me Jesus, I am satisfied, I am satisfied.

The question for us today is: As a child of God, do I really know what I have? What value do I place on my relationship with God? Why do I envy the rich so much?

Stop asking for silver and gold, ask for faith instead; the kind of faith that Peter had. Stop trying to store up treasures for yourself on earth, they will never last no matter how hard you pray. Store up treasures instead in heaven where no thief can break in and steal and no moth or rust destroy. (Luke12:33).

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, open my eyes to really see what I have. Amen.

In our Gospel passage today, we read about the two disciples who were walking away from Jerusalem in total disappointment...they were expecting that Jesus was going to take over power from the Romans. Their discipleship had been based on their hope of political power. These disciples are not too different from us who go to church with a purely materialistic mindset.

Jesus met them on their way to Emmaus and like Mary Magdalene, they didn't recognize Jesus, thinking he was just an ordinary passer-by going their direction. When our hearts are too preoccupied with material things, we not only find it difficult to pray, we find it very difficult to recognize the presence of Jesus.

Jesus then took his time to explain to them the necessity of suffering in a homily which made their hearts burn within them. Jesus made it clear to them He had not come as a political messiah. Jesus did not come to free us from poverty. He said to Judas Iscariot, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. Jesus didn't come simply to give us silver and gold, he came to bring us something money can never buy; the salvation of our souls.

Stop asking for silver and gold, ask for faith instead...the kind of faith that Peter had. Stop trying to store up treasures for yourself on earth, they'll never last no matter how hard you pray. Store up treasures instead in heaven where no thief can break in and steal and no moth or rust destroy.