Wednesday, 28 February 2018

What do you want?: Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent (28th February, 2018).



Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent (28th February, 2018) on the Gospel
Jer 18:18-20;
Ps 30:5-6.14-16 (R. v. 17);
Matt 20:17-28.
Topic: What do you want?
Today’s gospel is made up of two parts, namely: Jesus foretold His death and resurrection a third time (Matt 20:17-19) and The Request of the Mother of James and John (Matt 20:20-28). Our reflection will focus on the second part.
The mother of James and John approached Jesus with her two sons, kneeling before Jesus and asked for a favour. Jesus said to her, “What do you want?” She replied, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Although the two promised to drink the cup Jesus was to take yet He said to them, “... to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
The reaction of the ten showed among other things that they were not different. Calling them to Himself Jesus said to them,
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; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many (Matt 20:25-28).
The attitudes of both the rulers and great ones among the Gentiles as depicted in today’s gospel are better than what we see in the house of God today. Hence many are ready for anything just to become leaders.
The question, ‘What do you want?’ (Matt 20:21) can be more beneficial if each of us take it as one directed to him/herself. Each of us must take time to answer this question. It demands nothing less than an honest answer which will help each of us see below his or her own robe, whether one is on the right track or not. It is very dangerous to leave this unanswered. Our call to be Christians is a call to humility, cf. Jas 4:6, 10; 1Pt 3:8; 5:6. Christians ought to be humbler as they go higher. We must see others as better than ourselves, cf. Phil 2:3.
Bible Reading: Phil 2:1-18; Rom 15:1-6.
Thought for today: What do you want? (Matt 20:21).
Let us pray: Lord, help me to desire you and you alone – Amen.
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Tuesday, 27 February 2018

Be wary: Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent (27th February, 2018).


Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent (27th February, 2018) on the Gospel
 
Is 1:10.16-20;
Ps 49:8-9.16-17.21.23 (R. v. 23);
Matt 23:1-12.

Topic: Be wary.
Jesus denounced the scribes and the Pharisees who occupied Moses’ seat in today’s gospel for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens for others but are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. Their acts are just for people to see. They scramble for places of honour at banquets and for best seats in the synagogues. Again, they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called rabbi.
Although these occupy the exalted seat of Moses but Jesus asked the crowds and His disciples not to emulate them. They teach others without first making something out of the teaching themselves. Hence, Jesus often calls them hypocrites, cf. Matt 15:7; 23:13, 15, 23,25,27,29.  
Be wary of people you imitate. Often people focus on what people want without considering whether those things are right or wrong. Some copy others whether they are correct or not. We must look up to God and do what He asks of us. If there is any person in this world worthy of imitation, it is only he or she who imitates Christ, cf. 1Cor 4:16; 11:1.
Bible Reading: Matt 7:12; 1Cor 10:23 – 11:1.
Thought for today: God expects all to do good and avoid evil.
Let us pray: God, help us to be truly yours – Amen.
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Monday, 26 February 2018

Whatever you want: Monday of the Second Week of Lent (26th February, 2018).


Homily (Reflection) for Monday of the Second Week of Lent (26th February, 2018) on the Gospel
 
Dan 9:4-10;
Ps 78:8-9.11.13 (Ps 102:10);
Lk 6:36-38.

Topic: Whatever you want.
In today’s gospel, Jesus spoke on a number of issues. They include – being merciful, judging and condemning others, forgiveness, and giving. This list is made-up of both positive and negative acts. Although we normally see them as things one does for or against others but Jesus is telling us that one does them for or against oneself:
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.
Jesus also taught, “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets” (Matt 7:12; cf. Lk 6:31). Whatever one does to anybody is done directly to the Master, cf. Matt 25:40.45. And He will repay to everyone according to their conducts, cf. Matt 16:27; Rev 2:23. 22:12; Prov 19:17.
No one is free to repay evil. God asks us to wait for Him. He will certainly help us, cf. Prov 20:22. Meditate on these words from Saint Paul, “...if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head” (Rom 12:20).
We are in the second week of Lent when we are called in a special way to fast. It is important to remind ourselves that fasting that fails to affect others positively is a false one. Whatever one wants to receive from God, he/she must first give it to others.
Bible Reading: Rom 12:9-21.
Thought for today: Offer to others whatever you want.
Let us pray: Lord, give us the grace to give to others every good thing that we may in turn receive good gifts from you – Amen.
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Sunday, 25 February 2018

It is good to be there, cf. 1Cor 2:9; Is 64:3: Second Sunday of Lent (B) (25th February, 2018).


Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent (B) (25th February, 2018) on the Gospel
Gen 22:1-2.9-13.15-18;
Ps 115:10.15-19. (R. 114:9);
Rom 8:31-34;
Mk 9:2-10.
A friend of mine once told me a story of his classmate who repeatedly failed virtually every Mathematical question. At a point his father hired one of the best Mathematics teachers around as his private tutor but the news still remained unchanged. His father at a point threatened to disown him. But the boy pleaded with his father, telling him how much he had tried to get a better result but all to no avail. As he was still narrating, his father cut in and told the boy that all the reasons he was giving why he should not disown him were actually the reasons why he wanted to disown him. According to the man, the boy had not acted as their people do. He went ahead and offered his son what he called the master key he would use to unlock not just mathematical problems but every task facing him in life. He said: “This might look simple but very effective. When you face any task you want to succeed in, first simplify it by adding a prefix (naira, ₦) and a suffix (kobo, K) to that thereby assuming that as what you will get”. At the end of their break the boy went back to school and used his father’s master key so well that the result became unimaginable – he moved from failing to passing almost every mathematical question.
Topic: It is good to be there, cf. 1Cor 2:9; Is 64:3.
We saw the picture of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ in today’s gospel. This took place when Jesus was alone with Peter, James, and John on a high mountain (Mk 9:2). According to today’s gospel and the gospel according to Matthew (Matt 17:1), Jesus transfigured six days after he foretold of his death and resurrection. But according to Luke’s account (Lk 9:28), it was after eight days. And for William Barclay in The daily study Bible: The gospel of Mark, “There is no discrepancy here”. They all mean to say “About a week afterwards” (pp. 209-210).
Jesus was about to go to Jerusalem where what he foretold would take place. The transfiguration of Jesus has a number of significance. Just as we reflected in our homily for the first Sunday of Lent, there was need for Jesus to reflect deeply on what he was about to embark. And on that mountain, the most important figures in the Jewish culture (Moses and Elijah) appeared to and conversed with him. William Barclay in The daily study Bible: The gospel of Mark rightly noted that in Israel, Moses was the supreme law-giver and Elijah was both the first and the greatest of all the prophets (p. 211). Their appearance implies that Jesus’ decision was in line with the law and the prophets. And Jesus citing Deuteronomy said in the gospel, “... the testimony of two men is true” (Jn 8:17; cf. Deut 17:6; 19:15). These were not just two men but two real great men.
In the bible, the presence of God is often connected with the cloud, cf. Ex 13:21; 14:24; 16:10; 19:9; 24:16; 33:9; 34:5; 40:34: 40:35; Deut 31:15. And the gospel reads further: “Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the beloved; listen to him!’” (Mk 9:7). Here God testified that Jesus is his Son and implicitly doing what pleases him, hence, the adjective “the Beloved”.
In our introductory story, that boy consistently failed virtually every mathematical question because he never saw any value in that. The disciples who were scandalized by Jesus’ proclamation of his death and resurrection needed something to hold on and there is nothing better than the glory that will come after as Saint Paul rightly noted: “... What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1Cor 2:9). At the glimpse of which Peter managed to utter: “... it is good for us to be here ...”
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, it is indeed good to enjoy the beatific vision but we must first do what God asks of us: listen to his only and beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Again, we must accomplish different acts we resolved to achieve this Lenten season bearing in mind that God will greatly reward us according to our deeds, cf. Rev. 22:12. Finally, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1Cor 15:19). Think of the world to come.
Bible Readings: Jn 5:19; 1Cor 2:6-16; 1Thess 4:1-12; 2Thess 1:5-12.
Thought for today: As one who wants to rejoice in the presence of God, do you listen to Jesus?
Let us pray:
Lord, we ask for the grace to always listen to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ – Amen.
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Saturday, 24 February 2018

Beyond the bus stop: Saturday of the First Week of Lent (24th February, 2018).


Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of the First Week of Lent (24th February, 2018) on the Gospel
 
Deut 26:16-19;
Ps 118:1-2.4-5.7-8 (R. v. 1);
Matt 5:43-48.

Topic: Beyond the bus stop.
Often we find ourselves in the trap of consoling ourselves by enumerating those we think are worse than us. In today’s gospel however, we see the true standard, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48).
Jesus cautions us on how to relate with our enemies and persecutors. Like that of yesterday, today’s gospel insists that we must go yet another mile. Salvation lies beyond everyday’s stopping point. So whoever stops with others will certainly miss the target.
General expectation, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy”. But Christ demands this,
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous (Matt 5: 44-45).
Sad enough, in reality we are still grappling with the love of neighbours and the gospel is calling on us to love our enemies and even pray for those who persecute us. Although many seem to be more comfortable with, “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (Ex 21:24; Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21) yet Christ wants us for an extra mile. The big question is whether we are ready for the journey or comfortable with where you are? Every choice has a price tag. Be wise, cf. Prov 27:11.
Bible Reading: Ex 23:1-9; Prov 24:17-22; 25:21-22; Rom 12:9-21.
Thought for today: Are you ready?
Let us pray: Lord, give us your grace to enable us to be steadfast on your path till we come into your kingdom – Amen.
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Friday, 23 February 2018

Achieving heaven: Friday of the First Week of Lent (23rd February, 2018).


Homily (Reflection) for Friday of the First Week of Lent (23rd February, 2018) on the Gospel
 
Ezek 18:21-28;
Ps 129 (R. v. 3);
Matt 5:20-26.
Topic: Achieving heaven.
In today’s gospel Jesus is telling us in sum that much more is expected of anybody who wants to make heaven. The very first verse reads, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:20).
The rule for the ancients, “You shall not murder”. Above this, anyone who wants to make heaven is also forbidden from being angry with his/her brothers and sisters, insulting them, and calling them fools.
Christ came and destroyed the walls dividing one from another. Hence, Saint Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28). But unfortunately, many Christians have replaced the walls Christ pulled down with ones much taller, wider, and stronger. Even the bridges He built have also been blown off.
We are today in the sea of enmity with one another. And for many, no retreat no surrender. Yet this is so serious that Jesus goes on to say,
So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift (Matt 5:23-24).
The book of Proverbs also reads, “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD” (Prov 15:8; cf. Prov 21:27; 3:32).
Following Christ is for gain much better than the whole world, cf. 1Cor 2:9. Hence Saint Paul correctly wrote, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1Cor 15:19). Let us therefore take necessary steps towards actualizing the main reward of following Christ. Make peace with everybody. We all are one in Christ Jesus, cf. 1Cor 12:12; Rom 12:5. Jesus paid supreme price just for us to make heaven.
Bible Reading: Gal 5:16-26.
Thought for today: Come to terms with others before it is too late, cf. Matt 5:25-26.
Let us pray: Lord, help us realise that we are one in Christ Jesus – Amen.
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Thursday, 22 February 2018

Beyond flesh and blood: The Chair of Saint Peter, Ap, Feast (22nd February, 2018).


Homily (Reflection) for The Chair of Saint Peter, Ap, Feast (22nd February, 2018) on the Gospel and the Feast
 
1Pt 5:1-4;
Ps 22. (R. v.1);
Matt 16:13-19.

The Chair of Saint Peter (Cathedra Petri), also known as the Throne of Saint Peter, is a relic conserved in St. Peter’s Basilica. It is a symbol of the authority of the Bishop of Rome (Pope) as Vicar of Christ and successor of Saint Peter. This feast was celebrated on January 18 and February 22. In 1960 however Pope John XXIII removed from the General Roman Calendar eight feast days that were second feasts of a single saint or mystery: one of them was the January 18 feast of the Chair of Peter.[1]
Topic: Beyond flesh and blood.
In today’s gospel Jesus asked His disciples of the people’s view of Himself. They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets” (Matt 16:14). Afterwards, Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt 16:15). To this Peter declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). And in return Jesus said to him,
Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matt 16:17-19).
The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter is among other things a symbol of the unity of the church Christ established on Saint Peter when He said, “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church”. Peter is blessed because it was not flesh and blood that revealed to him the divinity of Jesus Christ, but our Father in heaven.
It is important therefore to go beyond flesh and blood in following God lest we continue to either follow hearsays or our own wills. And none of these can make us to be blessed. God wants all of us to worship Him in Spirit and in truth, cf. Jn 4:24. Let no one be carried away by all sorts of strange doctrines, cf. Heb 13:9. Many today across denominations teach human wills often carefully dressed with God’s word as the word of God, cf. Matt 15:9. We must ensure that we worship God and not man. And every leader must also remember that the day of reckoning is fast approaching for everyone to give account of his or her words and actions, cf. Heb 13:17. Finally, the judgement of the leaders will be stricter, cf. Jas 3:1.
Bible Reading: Heb 13:1-19; 1Jn 2:18-28.
Thought for today: What do you teach and/or follow?
Let us pray: Lord, open our eyes to see your Son Jesus Christ and also give us the courage to follow Him – Amen.
Saint Peter the apostle – Pray for us.

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Wednesday, 21 February 2018

God or signs?: Wednesday of the First Week of Lent (21st February, 2018).


Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the First Week of Lent (21st February, 2018) on the Gospel
 
Jon 3:1-10;
Ps 50:3-4.12-13.18-19 (R. v. 19);
Lk 11:29-32.

Topic: God or signs?
In today’s gospel, as the crowds were increasing Jesus began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah” (Lk 11:29). Both the queen of the South and the people of Nineveh would rise at the judgement with the people and condemn them because they listened to Solomon and Jonah respectively. Yet something greater than Solomon and Jonah was among them.
Who knows what Jesus would say about our generation? Asking for signs and wonders is the order of the day. And whoever is not performing does not belong. Many have abandoned God whom I suppose they expect to make the signs happen for signs. However the signs we expect cannot be compared with what God has done and is doing in us, cf. Matt 6:25.
We must make the best of every opportunity we have in life. A day will come when each of us must give account of them, cf. Rom 14:12; 1Pt 4:5. Sings and wonders are useless without God, cf. Matt 16:26; Mk 8:36; Lk 9:25. When one finds God every other thing will be his or hers, cf. Matt 6:33.
Bible Reading: Matt 6:25-34; 1Pt 4:1-11.
Thought for today: God of signs and signs of God.
Let us pray: Lord, give us the grace to look for you and not for your signs – Amen.
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Tuesday, 20 February 2018

We have no choice: Tuesday of the First Week of Lent (20th February, 2018).


Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of the First Week of Lent (20th February, 2018) on the Gospel
 
Is 55:10-11;
Ps 33:4-7.16-19 (R. v. 18);
Matt 6:7-15.

Topic: We have no choice.
The book of Proverbs tells us that “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD” (Prov 15:8). Hence, in the book of Psalms we read, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Ps 32:1). This can only be obtained from God, cf. Ps 130:4. And luckily for us all, God has not only promised to forgive our sins, (cf. Heb 8:12; 10:17) but has fulfilled it in Christ Jesus, cf. Matt 1:21.
However, in today’s gospel Jesus taught us that prayer popularly known as Our Lord’s Prayer. It reads in part, “And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” (Matt 6:12, NLT). There is emphasis on this: “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt 5:14-15, NLT).
No doubt we often find it very difficult to forgive but as we can see in today’s gospel, we have no choice. Christ also tells us, “... with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get” (Matt 7:2; Lk 6:38). So, whoever wants his or her sins to be forgiven must first forgive others.
Bible Reading: Ps 130; 151.
Thought for today: We must forgive others.
Let us pray: Lord, give us a new heart to be able to forgive – Amen.
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