DAILY HOMILIES #Gamaliel

By citing examples of Thaddeus and Judas the Galilean, Gamaliel compared Jesus to rabble-rousers who had previously claimed to be Messiahs. For Gamaliel and the council members, it would be a miracle if the church survived a few years. Two thousand years later, this miracle is still ongoing. Similarly, when Andrew told Jesus about the lad with five loaves and two fish, he didn’t see how it would be enough to feed the multitude.

Very often, we complain about our unanswered prayers forgetting that most of the time, God provides the things we need without us asking. These are blessings we take for granted.

Our churches in Africa are packed full not because we are converted Christians but because of the prevailing economic situation of our continent. These souls who ate the loaves and fishes were not believers but spectators. A good number of those who fill up seats in our churches today are just spectators. This explains the stark contradiction between our lives and that of Christ. Should it happen that our continent becomes better economically, this mammoth crowd of spectators will leave and only true Christians will remain.

For instance, you crossed the street to buy a packet of sachet water and came back unhurt. You continued your daily activities in your home as usual. Little did you know that if you had crossed ten seconds earlier, you would have been hit by a stray bullet. God did something for you without you even knowing.