3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “EMBRACING CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE”

INTRODUCTION:

An advocate is one who comes to intercede and preach for our good. Jesus came and preached and advocated for our good; he advocated for love, peace, unity, forgiveness, equality, justice and righteousness amongst men. He was an advocate for the sick, the poor, the widow, the orphan, the needy and the less privileged. Unfortunately, along the line, He was rejected, denied, and crucified. After his resurrection, the Apostles witness about him today, to help us accept, acknowledge, embrace and exalt Christ our advocate in our lives every day.

THE FIRST READING (ACTS. 3: 13–15. 17–19)

In the first reading, St. Peter pointed out the mistake and error the Jews committed in the past by denying, delivering and crucifying Jesus Christ the righteous one, our advocate, and rather accepted and embraced a murderer. They rejected, denied and killed the author of life whom God raised from the dead on the third day. St. Peter calls them today to retract from their erroneous steps, repent and accept the anointed of God, Christ our advocate; and chose the life giver and life saver over a murderer.

THE SECOND READING (1 JN. 2: 1–5)

In the second reading, St. John once more reminds us about the benefits of embracing Christ our advocate. Jesus Christ the righteous one is the expiation for our sins and the sins of the whole world. We must choose to love him and obey his commandments so that He would continue to intercede and advocate for us before the Father.

THE GOSPEL READING (LK. 24: 35–48)

In the gospel reading, Christ our advocate continued to appear before his apostles in the breaking of bread, in their communion worship and gathering, to strengthen their peace, their joy, their faith, and their confidence to witness and preach about the risen Christ to all nations. When we faithfully gather in love and true communion, when we embrace the way of Christ like the apostles, He will continue to appear in our feast and in our midst to advocate for our peace, good and progress.

CONCLUSION:

Brethren, we are lucky to have Christ the special and senior/superior advocate on our side even though we cannot afford his price. We pray that as we accept to embrace, honor and exalt Him in our lives, He may also continue to appear in our case, in our families, in our homes, and in our work places like He appeared to the Apostles, and strengthen our joy, our health, our love, our unity, our faith and strengthen our resolve to serve him and our neighbors. May Christ continue to expiate for our sins and fill us with the Holy Spirit our helper, so that we may totally desist from denying and rejecting Christ our advocate!

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin