💖 HOMILY - APRIL 24 💖

First Reading - Acts 3:11-26

Gospel - Luke 24:35-48

We’ve all come across people who carry a big “I” with them—I’ve done it. It’s all because of me. Only I can make it happen. This attitude of self-centered pride leaves little room for acknowledging God’s hand in our lives. Today’s readings invite us to shift from “I did it” to “God did it through me.”

The first reading continues the story of the healing of the lame man by Peter. The miraculous healing astonishes the crowd, and Peter takes this opportunity to clarify that it was not by his own power or piety that the man was healed, but through the name of Jesus. Peter uses the moment to proclaim that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, foretold by the prophets—even Moses. But instead of accusing the people for Jesus' death, Peter acknowledges that they acted out of ignorance. He invites them to repentance, not with condemnation, but with compassion.

Peter’s response teaches us something important: God uses us as instruments, and we must acknowledge His hand in the good works that flow from our lives. Peter gives the credit where it is due—to the risen Jesus.

In the Gospel, we hear the continuation of the Emmaus story. The two disciples, after their encounter with the Risen Lord, return to Jerusalem to share the good news. While they are still speaking, Jesus Himself appears among the disciples. To prove that He has truly risen—not just in spirit, but in body—He eats a piece of grilled fish in their presence. He then opens their minds to understand the Scriptures, showing that everything—His suffering, death, and resurrection—was part of God's plan for the salvation of humanity. Jesus attributes His mission to the will of the Father, not to His own initiative, so that all may receive forgiveness of their sins.

Dear friends, God continues to work in and through us—in our gifts, our talents, and even in our daily events. Just as Peter acknowledged that healing came from Jesus, and Jesus Himself pointed everything back to the Father, we too are called to recognize God’s hand in our lives. Sometimes we are tempted to keep the glory for ourselves—to say I made it or I accomplished it. But a heart of faith says, God has done it through me.

Let us pray for the grace to see God at work in our lives and to respond with gratitude and humility. May we always remember to say, Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory (Psalm 115:1).

May our lives be living testimonies—not of what we have done, but of what God has done through us.