Homily for Monday of the 7th Week of Easter

[1]Jesus invited the people of His time to repent and have faith in the Gospel. We need to renew our repentance and conversion throughout our lives. John the Baptist's baptism only offered repentance, while Jesus offered redemption and hope through His baptism. Saint Paul referred to John's baptism as a way of consecrating people with repentant dispositions. In contrast, Jesus' baptism offered the Holy Spirit and eternal life.

We should never forget that everything we have in this world is a gift from God. From our conception to our lives, our faith, even our death—these are God's gifts intended for our well-being. As we may tend to do, the Apostles believed their faith in Christ was generated from their own efforts. However, any faith in Jesus they had formed on their own was delicate, as was exhibited in the Garden of Gethsemane and by their absence on Calvary.

Christ has already overcome the world, but He is the only one who can do so. If we wish also to overcome the world and experience true life, our only sure way is through Him. He is not merely a guide or a teacher but the source of our strength and hope. Only through Him can we find redemption; only through Him can we find true life. Therefore, let us strive to deepen our relationship with Him, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

 

[1] Based on a Homily by Bishop John A. Marshall, 1928-1994.