DAILY HOMILIES

If we desire to hear from the Holy Spirit, we must devote time to prayer and fasting. Without prayer, we are powerless against our enemies. When we fast, we involve our whole body in prayer. Fasting deepens our hunger and thirst for God. Fasting helps us control the desires of the flesh. If you want to hear from the Holy Spirit, there should be no contradiction between what you externally profess and what you do.

If we desire to hear from the Holy Spirit, we must devote time to prayer and fasting. Without prayer, we are powerless against our enemies. When we fast, we involve our whole body in prayer. Fasting deepens our hunger and thirst for God. Fasting helps us control the desires of the flesh. If you want to hear from the Holy Spirit, there should be no contradiction between what you externally profess and what you do.

If we desire to hear from the Holy Spirit, we must devote time to prayer and fasting. Without prayer, we are powerless against our enemies. When we fast, we involve our whole body in prayer. Fasting deepens our hunger and thirst for God. Fasting helps us control the desires of the flesh. If you want to hear from the Holy Spirit, there should be no contradiction between what you externally profess and what you do.

If we desire to hear from the Holy Spirit, we must devote time to prayer and fasting. Without prayer, we are powerless against our enemies. When we fast, we involve our whole body in prayer. Fasting deepens our hunger and thirst for God. Fasting helps us control the desires of the flesh. If you want to hear from the Holy Spirit, there should be no contradiction between what you externally profess and what you do.

What Happened At Antioch? Firstly, “The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number that believed turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21). This teaches us that the success of evangelisation depends on God. The believers who took the Gospel to Antioch were not exceptional (their names are not even mentioned). When news of the massive number of converts reached the Church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to verify the report and encourage the believers.

Peter’s experience in Caesarea (the Gentile town where Jesus made Peter head of the Church) teaches us to avoid judging people (or looking down on them) because they are not yet baptised. It shows that Jesus is a good shepherd who makes room for everyone, regardless of nationality, tribe, creed, or race. Peter was shocked that the so-called “pagans” received the Holy Spirit as the early Christians gathered in the upper room on Pentecost Day.

“Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death, no evil would I fear. For you are with me.” Get this. God does not prevent us from “walking through the valley of death”; He doesn’t stop us from passing through the fire. He makes us go through all of these to teach us that no matter what we face, He deserves our complete trust.

It is believed that Mark was among the Seventy whom Jesus sent out two by two into the surrounding countries in Luke 10:1-20. As Luke narrates, the seventy returned rejoicing, declaring that the evil spirits obeyed their bidding. This is the same reality Mark conveys in the concluding part of his Gospel passage, which we read today. “And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by signs that attended it.” (Mark 16:20).

The Holy Eucharist is the best protection any human can ever have. As Jesus protected the Christians in Damascus from Saul’s raid, Jesus would surely protect you from the plans of your enemies, whether known or unknown. As a communicant, no one can cut short your life or kill you before your time.

Philip’s encounter with the Eunuch successfully led to his conversion and subsequent baptism. This success did not come from Philip’s eloquence, holiness, knowledge, teaching skills, ability to work miracles or respectful behaviour. God alone deserves all the glory because He prepared the heart of the Eunuch to receive His Word. Jesus explains this in today’s Gospel passage: “No one can come to me unless the Father draws him.” (John 6:44).

Today’s First Reading teaches us that God can bring good out of even the most painful circumstances. Saul’s persecution pushed the church out of its comfort zone, leading to the discovery of many believers’ talents and gifts. Like food that has to be cooked before its nutritional value comes out, hardship cooks us. It transforms us, making us stronger, more resilient. One shining example is Philip, who was forced to go to Samaria. Philip converted multitudes, and God used him to work great signs and wonders.

Jesus taught that while the manna was earthly food (never satisfied), the bread from heaven truly satisfies. The people said, “Give us this bread always.” Jesus replied: “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35). In other words, to have Jesus is better than having the whole world. No wonder St. Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in God.” Only Jesus can give us true satisfaction. Stephen was not afraid of dying because He knew he had Jesus.