Homily on Wednesday, 2nd Week of Easter; 15 April 2026, DBPH Chapel, Talamban
Have you ever experienced being jailed or detained by the civil authorities? Or have you ever feared or imagined yourself being put behind bars? Thank God I have never experienced being jailed. But I have experienced being inside a jail facility not only once but several times to hear confessions, to celebrate Mass, to organize an outreach, or simply to visit a friend. And so, more or less I have an idea of how it feels to lose one’s freedom and be locked up in jail or in prison for a long period of time especially for those who are not guilty of any crime. Grabe, it can really be terrible! In fact a year ago I visited a friend in jail for having been involved in a scam which she was ignorant about. It was already my second visit and her case had not yet been resolved despite pleading innocent. I really pity her.
Surprisingly, the first reading today (Acts 5:17-26) presents to us the Apostles being unjustly thrown into the public jail. Did they commit any crime? No! On the contrary, they were jailed because of some good deeds they have done – they have preached the Gospel of Christ claiming that he had risen from the dead, and that in his mighty name they have enabled a crippled man to walk. And yet these Apostles didn’t seem to have been discouraged or distressed.
What is even more amazing is that in the middle of the night they were miraculously set free by an angel and were told to continue their ministry of preaching and healing among the people of God. And so, they did what they were told. Early the next morning, to the great surprise of the Jewish authorities, they were found preaching again in the temple area surrounded by so many people eager to listen to their teachings and testimonies.
What we have sung in the Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 34) expresses perfectly this powerful truth about our faith “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.” We really do not know how the apostles might have felt when they suddenly found themselves inside the public jail. They could have felt so anxious and worried, and perhaps, they could have reacted by complaining against the Lord whom they were trying to serve. However, I believe that despite the trial they were going through, they chose to pray. And, instead of complaining, they lifted up everything to the Lord with confident hope. And so, they were miraculously saved and set free by an angel sent by the Lord.
I believe today’s Gospel taken from St. John (Jn 3:16-21) is so much connected to this experience of the apostles. It shows how the Lord had already foreseen and had predicted what could happen to his disciples after his departure from this world. Jesus said that those who choose to believe in him and live in the light will escape condemnation and will receive eternal life.
Maybe we can ask ourselves and reflect on this important point: do we have that same zeal of the Apostles in sharing the Gospel of Christ to others? In his mighty name are we willing to go out of our comfort zone and care for others despite the risks, the inconveniences or unpleasant consequences it would entail?
Jesus himself said in today’s Gospel “Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.” May the Eucharist we celebrate today grant us that same power of the Apostles to become courageous and consistent witnesses of the Risen Lord wherever we might be and to whomever we might be sent.
Allow me to conclude by sharing something more about the friend I visited in jail. Her name is Ligaya. When I visited her for a second time I saw she was no longer depressed. On the contrary, she was very happy and fulfilled because she has found a way of making her life meaningful by serving her fellow detainees inside the jail facility. She taught them how to bake pastries, how to hair dress and do make up, how to weave baskets and many other skills which she learned when she was still inside the convent. And whatever products she and the others have made became their source of income even while being deprived of their liberty.
Even the jail warden was so impressed by what she had been able to do inside the jail – she had brought help, hope, and happiness, faithful to her name Ligaya. This I believe is the power of the Risen Lord still so much at work today even behind bars. GiGsss!