Saturday, 29 July 2017

For barn or for burning: Memorial of Saint Martha, (29th July, 2017).


Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Martha, (29th July, 2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial
(Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I))

 
Ex 24:3-8;
Ps 49:1-2.5-6.14-15. (R. v.14);
Matt 13:24-30.

Saint Martha was a native of Bethany and sister to Lazarus and Mary, cf. Jn 11: 1,5,19. She believed in Jesus Christ and also witnessed His resurrection of her brother, Lazarus, cf. Jn 11:17-27, 38-44. Jesus loved Martha and her siblings, cf. Jn 11:5. The gospels recorded Jesus’ three visits to them, cf. Matt 26:6-13; Lk 10:38-42; Jn 11:1-44. She was known for her hospitality and service, cf. Jn 12:2. Martha is the patron saint of housewives, waiters, waitresses, servants and cooks.
Topic: For barn or for burning.
We read the parable of the weeds in today’s gospel. When everybody was sleeping, the enemy sowed weeds among the wheat. The servants wanted to uproot the weeds immediately but the master said to them,
No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest... I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.
Just like in the parable of the sower, both the wheat and the weeds exist within. We see God in this parable as a very patient God. However, let no one be deceived. That God hasn’t punished does not mean He will never punish. Saint Peter rightly writes, “The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2Pt 3:9; cf. Ezek 33:11).
Spiritual drowsiness is very dangerous. The enemy sowed the weeds when everyone was sleeping. In the same vein, the devil always has it very easy when the children of God are sleeping. We must stop sleeping, cf. 1Thess 5:6).
Finally, let nobody count him/herself as a child of God when he/she is not. Saint John writes, “... whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother” (1Jn 3:10). We ought to imitate Saint Martha who showed exemplary love for others.
Bible Reading: 1Jn 2:29–3:10.
Thought for today: Work towards barn or burning.
Let us pray: Lord, assist us in our effort to remain always your seeds – Amen.
Saint Martha – Pray for us.
You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.

For more homilies (reflections):

Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313
 

To Contact and/or to support this ministry:

Tel: +234 813 305 0302
       +234 905 655 4466
May God bless you all+
at No comments:

Friday, 28 July 2017

Prepare the ground: Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (28th July, 2017).


Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (28th July, 2017) on the Gospel
 
Ex 20:1-17;
Ps 18:8-11. (R. Jn 6:68);
Matt 13:18-23.
Topic: Prepare the ground.
Today’s gospel is the explanation of the parable of the sower we read two days ago. The seed on the path is one who hears the word of God and does not understand it, the evil one takes it away. When one receives the word with joy but without root, he/she easily falls away when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word. This is the seed on the rocky ground. The seed among thorns is the one who hears the word but the earthly worries and lure of wealth choke the word. And one who hears the word and understands it is the seed on good soil.
The emphasis is on understanding the word and not on hearing. Borrowing the words of Saint Paul, people have heard the word of God, cf. Rom 10:18. However, to what extent it has been understood is a subject of another discussion. Those Christ called blessed are not the ones who only hear the word of God but those who hear it and do (keep) it, cf. Lk 8:21. 11:28.
Everyone has roles to play in hearing and understanding the word of God. They include listening and asking pertinent questions, cf. Deut 32:7; Matt 10:14; Mk 9:7; Lk 9:35. The unfolding of God’s words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple, cf. Ps 119:130. Everyone who wants life must therefore humbly turn to God. He has the words of eternal life, cf. Jn 6:68. It is the LORD who gives wisdom, cf. Prov 2:6. And “Happy is the man or woman who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding” (Prov 3:13). Every person can make his/her soil better for the word of God.
Bible Reading: Eph 6:10-17.
Thought for today: People die for want of knowledge, cf. Hos 4:6.
Let us pray: Lord, give us your Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD – Amen (cf. Is 11:2).
You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.
For more homilies (reflections):
Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313
 
To Contact and/or to support this ministry:
Tel: +234 813 305 0302
       +234 905 655 4466
May God bless you all+
at No comments:

Thursday, 27 July 2017

Still often in parables: Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (27th July, 2017).


Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (27th July, 2017) on the Gospel
 
Ex 19:1-2.9-11.16-20;
Dan 3:52-56. (R. v. 52);
Matt 13:10-17.
Topic: Still often in parables.
Today’s gospel is a continuation of yesterday’s gospel. In this gospel, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” Jesus’ reply reads in part,
To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.... The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.’
According to the New Jerusalem Bible,
A deliberate and culpable insensibility which is both the cause and the explanation of the withdrawal of grace.... By the use of symbols and images, therefore, Jesus challenges them to reflect and themselves seek to penetrate more deeply into the understanding of the kingdom.[1]
Life Application Study Bible also reads, “When speaking in parables, Jesus is not hiding truth from sincere seekers, because those who were receptive to spiritual truth understood the illustrations. To others they were only stories without meaning.”[2]
God’s word is the word of life, cf. Phil 2:16. However, it still sounds like parables to many. There is need to listen attentively, ask questions where necessary, and humbly pray to God for wisdom, cf. Mk 4:10; Jas 1:5. Interpretation of God’s word requires divine intervention, cf. 2Pt 1:20-21.
Bible Reading: Matt 25:14-30.
Thought for today: No one can achieve this on his/her own.
Let us pray: May God help us always to understand His word – Amen.
You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.

For more homilies (reflections):

Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313
 

To Contact and/or to support this ministry:

Tel: +234 813 305 0302
       +234 905 655 4466
May God bless you all+


[1] The New Jerusalem Bible: Standard edition (1985). London: Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd.
[2] Life Application Study Bible: New living translation (2007). Illinois: Tandale House Publishers, Inc.
at No comments:

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

The defaulter: Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (26th July, 2017).


Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary (26th July, 2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial
(Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I))
 
Ex 16:1-5.9-15;
Ps 77:18-19.23-28. (R. v.24);
Matt 13:1-9.

Saint Joachim, also spelled Joaquin[1] meaning “he whom Yahweh has set up” was the husband of Saint Anne and the father of Mary, the mother of Jesus, according to the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions. Saints Joachim and Anne are not mentioned in the Bible. The story about them first appeared in the apocryphal Gospel of James.[2] It was alleged that Mary was promised to them by an angel, was consecrated to God, and she remained a virgin all her life. Saints Joachim and Anne are role models for parents.[3]
Topic: The defaulter.
Jesus taught the people using many parables. We see in today’s gospel the parable of the sower. As the sower sowed the seeds, some fell on the path, some on rocky ground, some among the thorns, and the rest on good soil. Only those who fell on good soil were able to grow to maturity “and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Who is to blame for those seeds that fell on wrong soil types? We have three most possible culprits – the sower, the seed, and the soil types. It is very easy to see it as the consequence of sheer carelessness of the sower. But it will not be right because he must have sowed for the seeds to bear fruits. Hence, Saint Paul asks, “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?” (1Cor 9:7). The seeds have no other option than to fall where they are sowed. The soil type is the next. Jesus warns, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt 7:15). Most certainly, the wrong soil types must have presented themselves to the sower as good soil. We must be sober and watchful. Our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, cf. 1Pt 5:8.
We have been transformed to bear fruits for God, cf. Rom 7:4. We must ensure that we are doing this task. Jesus warns, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done” (Rev 22:12; cf. Matt 16:27). Saints Joachim and Anne we celebrate today are good examples. They lived as good Christian parents. The parable continues from tomorrow’s gospel.
Bible Reading: Matt 3:1-10.
Thought for today: Make sure you produce fruits.
Let us pray: Lord, do something new in our lives; make out of us good soil that will bear fruits – Amen (cf. Is 43:19).
Saints Joachim and Anne – Pray for us.
You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.

For more homilies (reflections):

Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313
 

To Contact and/or to support this ministry:

Tel: +234 813 305 0302
       +234 905 655 4466
May God bless you all+

at No comments:

Tuesday, 25 July 2017

A follower of Christ: Feast of Saint James, Ap. (25th July, 2017)


Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of Saint James, Ap. (25th July, 2017) on the Gospel and the Feast
 
2Cor 4:7-15;
Ps 125. (R. v.5);
Matt 20:20-28.

Saint James was son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of Saint John, cf. Matt 4:21. He was a fisherman and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, cf. Matt 4:21; Lk 5:10; Matt 10:2. Saint James is also referred to as James the Greater to distinguish him from the other apostle James, son of Alphaeus, cf. Acts 1:13; Matt 10:3. Jesus nicknamed James and his brother, John, Boanerges, meaning, sons of thunder, cf. Mk 3:17. He was killed with the sword by King Herod in c. 44 AD, cf. Acts 12:2. And according to tradition, he was the first apostle to be martyred.
Topic: A follower of Christ.
The mother of James and John came to Jesus with the duo and made this request, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” They even promised their readiness to drink the cup He was about to drink. Yet Jesus told them that those positions were reserved for those the Father had prepared them for. Their action infuriated the rest. Jesus gave them this teaching,
You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave.
Following Christ involves a process of formation that results in transformation. Hence, the gospel reads, “And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message” (Mk 3:14). In the letters of Saint Paul, he talked about old and new selves, cf. Rom 6:6-11; Eph 4:17-24.
In today’s gospel, we see Saint James among others being transformed. We also see a similar thing in the gospel according to Luke when they wanted to call down fire from heaven, cf. Lk 9:51-55.
We celebrate him today because he assimilated this process of transformation unlike those who went away, cf. Jn 6:66. Now the question is, ‘Do you assimilate this process or do you go away?’
Bible Reading: Rom 12:1-8; 15:1-6.
Thought for today: We follow Christ to learn from Him, cf. Matt 11:29.
Let us pray: Christ, teach us what it means to be your disciple – Amen.
Saint James – Pray for us.
You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.

For more homilies (reflections):

Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313
 

To Contact and/or to support this ministry:

Tel: +234 813 305 0302
       +234 905 655 4466
May God bless you all+
at No comments:

Monday, 24 July 2017

Are we better-off?: Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (24th July, 2017).


Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time (I) (24th July, 2017) on the Gospel
 
Ex 14:5-18;
Ex 15:1-6. (R. v.1);
Matt 12:38-42.
Topic: Are we better-off?
Some scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus in today’s gospel, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” Jesus replied them, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Both the people of Nineveh and the queen of the South will rise up with this generation and condemn it at the judgement because they listened to Jonah and Solomon respectively, yet something greater than Jonah and Solomon is here.
The letter to the Hebrews reads, “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son...” (Heb 1:1-2a). It therefore warns,
...we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? (Heb 2:1-3a).
Surely God has stronger words for our generation. Recall that many of the scribes and Pharisees never believed that Jesus is the Son of God, cf. Matt 13:55-56; Mk 6:3; Jn 5:18. On our part, we say that we believe but rarely do we live it out thereby deceiving ourselves, cf. Jas 1:22; Rom 2:13.
Let us depart from this evil, and do good, cf. Ps 34:14; 37:27. We have received much and we are expected to return accordingly, cf. Lk 12:48.
 Bible Reading: Lk 12:41-48.
Thought for today: Jesus is the reality.
Let us pray: God, help us to look for you and not for your signs – Amen.
You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.

For more homilies (reflections):

Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313
 

To Contact and/or to support this ministry:

Tel: +234 813 305 0302
       +234 905 655 4466
May God bless you all+
at No comments:

Sunday, 23 July 2017

Wheat and Weeds: Sixteenth Sunday of the Year (A) (23rd July, 2017).


Homily (Reflection) for the Sixteenth Sunday of the Year (A) (23rd July, 2017) on the Gospel

Wis 12:13.16-19;
Ps 85:5-6.9-10.15-16 (R.V. 5);
Rom 8:26-27;
Matt 13:24-43 or Matt 13:24-30.
Topic: Wheat and Weeds.
In today’s gospel, the householder planted good seeds (wheat) in his field but the evil one came and planted the weeds. The evil one achieved his aim when everyone was asleep, cf. Matt 13:25. Hence, Christ warns, “Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come” (Mk 13:33). Saint Paul also admonishes, “… let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober” (1Thess 5:6).
The householder did not allow his slaves to gather the weeds before the time of harvest. Before that time, wheat could easily be mistaken for weed. Both were allowed to bear fruits because judgement will be based on the fruits that each bears, cf. 2Cor 11:15; 1Pt 1:17; Rev 14:13. Again, some of the seeds sown by the householder may end up being fruitless. Jesus admonishes, “Bear fruits that befit repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham” (Lk 3:8). Saint Paul asks us to walk as the children of light that we are, cf. Eph 5:8. Being a child of God without corresponding fruits is useless. Consequently Jesus warns, “...now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt 3:10).
One may ask, ‘Who are the wheat and who are weeds?’ Jesus’ answer, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matt 7:16, cf. Matt 7:20). For Saint John, there is a clear demarcation between the two, “The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters” (1Jn 3:10). He also wrote, “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God” (1Jn 4:7). Again, “Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God” (3Jn 1:11).
It is a privilege to be a child of God, cf. 1Jn 3:1. One can either accept or reject this. However, only to those who received and believed are given the power to become children of God, cf. Jn 1:12.
Jesus warns, “Remember then what you received and heard; keep that, and repent. If you will not awake, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you” (Rev 3:3). Again, “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them” (Lk 12:37). And again, “…I am coming like a thief! Blessed is he who is awake, keeping his garments that he may not go naked and be seen exposed!” (Rev 16:15). It is by being awake and producing the fruits worthy of the call that we can be truly sons and daughters of God and will consequently shine as lights, cf. Phil 2:15.
Bible Reading: Matt 7:15-20; Mk 13:32-37; 1Pt 2:11-17; 1Jn 2:29-3:10.
Thought for today: Are you wheat or weed?
Let us pray: Lord, we have been weeds in thoughts, words, actions, and/or omissions. Help us to be wheat and also to bear desired fruits – Amen.
You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.

For more homilies (reflections):

Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313

To Contact and/or to support this ministry:

Tel: +234 813 305 0302
       +234 905 655 4466
May God bless you all+
at No comments:

Saturday, 22 July 2017

Continue searching: Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene, (22nd July, 2017).


Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene, (22nd July, 2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial
 
Songs 3:1-4 or 2Cor 5:14-17;
Ps 62:2-6.8-9. (R. v.2);
Jn 20:1-2.11-18.

Saint Mary Magdalene was mentioned at least twelve times in the Gospels and was regarded as a prostitute or sexually immoral in the western Christianity based on misidentification with the anonymous sinner of Luke 7:37. However, recent studies reveal that this is never scripturally based. She is known as the ‘Apostle to the Apostles’. Jesus cast seven demons out of her (cf. Luke 8:2).[1] She likely watched the crucifixion and was the first to witness Christ’s resurrection. Mary Magdalene was allegedly put in a boat along with several others, and set adrift. The boat landed in southern France, where she spent the rest of her life in solitude, in a cave. She is the patroness of converts, repentant sinners, sexual temptation, pharmacists, tanners and women, and many other places and causes.[2]
Topic: Continue searching.
Following Mary Magdalene’s report, Peter and John ran to the tomb and saw the empty tomb, cf. Jn 20:2-3. The duo returned to their homes after seeing the empty tomb, cf. Jn 20:10. However, Mary stayed back weeping outside the tomb. It was during this period that she saw two angels inside the tomb and later Jesus Himself whom at first she thought to be a gardener. Jesus instructed her thus, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”
The story would have been different if Mary had left with others. Imagine Mary remaining at the tomb all alone. Certainly, needless to say that it was not easy. In like manner, it is not easy for one to follow a course irrespective of other’s views. However, it pays. Hence Jesus warns, “...he who endures to the end will be saved” (Mk 13:13; cf. Matt 10:22; 24:13).
Let us follow Mary Magdalene’s example and search for what we want calling on the name of the Lord because “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom 10:13). Never stop searching until you find what you are looking for; “...everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matt 7:8).
Bible Reading: Rom 10:5-17.
Thought for today: Let’s forge ahead for God’s salvation will soon come, cf. Is 56:1.
Let us pray: Lord, grant us all our good heart desires through the power of your resurrection – Amen.
Saint Mary Magdalene – Pray for us.
You are free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.

For more homilies (reflections):

Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313
 

To Contact and/or to support this ministry:

Tel: +234 813 305 0302
       +234 905 655 4466
May God bless you all+

at No comments: