Homily & Reflection:

"Keep Me Safe, O God, You Are My Hope"

Monday in the Octave of Easter

Alleluia! Jesus is alive!

You know, Easter Monday is a bit like leftovers after a great Sunday braai—still full of flavour, still worth celebrating! The resurrection joy doesn't stop at Easter Sunday. In fact, for us in the Church, it’s so good, we stretch it for eight whole days! Actually until Pentecost.

It’s like that uncle who doesn’t want to leave the wedding party, still dancing long after the DJ has packed up—except in this case, he’s right! We should keep celebrating.

In Acts 2, Peter stands up boldly, no longer the man who denied Jesus. He proclaims that Jesus—crucified and risen—is both Lord and Messiah. What changed him? The Resurrection. The Holy Spirit. Hope.

Psalm 16, our responsorial today, says:

“Keep me safe, O God, you are my hope.”

This isn’t the naive hope. It’s a resurrected hope—a hope grounded in the real victory of Christ over death.

The Gospel (Matthew 28:8–15) gives us two contrasting responses to the Resurrection:

The women, full of fear and joy, run to tell the disciples. Jesus meets them, comforts them, sends them.

The guards and chief priests, on the other hand, choose to spread lies rather than accept the truth of the Resurrection.

So which one are you—are you a witness, or are you spreading fear?

In South Africa, we know about resurrection. We've seen people rise from shack fires and job losses. We've watched communities survive floods, crime, and load-shedding. We’ve even survived government promises—now that’s real resurrection power!

Like the women at the tomb, we’ve had our moments of fear and confusion. But we’ve also known the joy of seeing hope walk among us again.

In this Eucharist, we meet the Risen Christ—not in a tomb, but in bread and wine. He feeds us with hope, gives Himself as strength for the journey. He is our food for the road, the Pilgrim's Bread.

❓ Question for Reflection

What message am I running to tell today?

Am I spreading resurrection joy—or just repeating the fears of the world?

🛠️ Daily Practical Application

- Call someone today who’s going through a hard time. Be their voice of hope.

- Be honest like Peter—acknowledge what Christ has done in your life.

- Turn away from gossip and negative news; be a carrier of good news.

📅 Jubilee Year Invitation

This Jubilee Year calls us to be Pilgrims of Hope.

What can you do?

- Forgive someone.

- Start over.

- Reconnect with prayer.

Remember, every act of love is a brick in the Temple of Hope.

🌟 Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.

Don’t let fear silence your joy. Run like the women at the tomb. Be a witness. Feed on Christ. Walk in hope. Let your life say: Jesus is alive, and so am I!

Lord Jesus, in your Resurrection, you have given us hope that no tomb can bury. Keep us safe, guide our steps, and send us out as Pilgrims of Hope in our land. Amen.

Alleluia! He is Risen! He is truly Risen!