Tuesday of 28^th Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: You have been liberated by Christ; don’t subject yourself to the yoke of slavery again (Gal5:1)

Readings: Gal 5:1-6; Lk 11:37-41

In the first reading of today, St. Paul reminded his fellow Christians in Galatia of what Christ has done in their lives through His death and resurrection. He told them that Christ had liberated humanity from sin and slavery to the evil one through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, and that all Christians benefit from the liberation won by Christ through baptism and faith in Christ. Therefore, he warned them never to drag themselves back to the very yoke of slavery from which Christ had liberated them. 

Dear friends, through our baptism, we were buried with Christ, washed clean, and set free from the grip of the evil one; and through our participation in the sacrament of reconciliation, Christ continues to purify us from our daily imperfections. It is His will that our entire life should reflect the freedom he won for us and the purity he bestows on us through the sacraments.

Unlike the Pharisees, who rather paid attention to external purity and external observance of the religious laws and practices while leaving their internal lives rotten and dark, as was seen from the accusation Jesus made against them in today’s gospel, we are invited to pay attention to both our internal and external purity.

There is nothing wrong with being neat externally: bathing with good and expensive soaps, dressing well, using expensive perfumes, keeping our environment neat, etc. However, there is everything wrong with being neat externally and dirty internally. We should, therefore, pay as much attention to our internal life as to the external. By soiling our inner lives through sin, we return to the yoke of slavery from which Christ had liberated us. But when our internal and external selves are pure, we will exude the fragrance of Christ.

May your Tuesday be blessed, Amen

Fr Isaac Chima

 28^th SUNDAY, YEAR B: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “HOW HARD AND EASY FOR THE RICH TO ENTER INTO HEAVEN”

INTRODUCTION

Horace Mann once said to his first graduating class at Antioch in the late 1850s, “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” My dear friends in Christ, there are no greater ways to win victory for humanity more than through the gospel message; then through the wealth and riches of this world. Both tools can be used to bring/win physical and spiritual liberation/salvation for humanity. Jesus united the two today as means of inheriting eternal life. Sadly, not many possess the wisdom/art to utilize wealth/riches to win heaven for themselves.

 

THE FIRST READING (WIS. 7: 7 – 11)

In the first reading, we are meant to understand that one really needs the wisdom and understanding from above to live this life to a salvific end. And we must desire and seek this wisdom above everything else. Sceptres, thrones, gold, silver, health, beauty and wealth, all need the guidance of wisdom from God to lead man to a glorious eternity. And without this wisdom and direction from God every other thing no matter how precious they are, may not come out good for man. Without God’s wisdom, sceptres and thrones have been abused to the damnation of many kings and princes; gold and silver have been exchanged for human life; beauty, health, power and earthly riches have been used for devilish and oppressive ends, and to the mortgage of many human souls. Wisdom is profitable to direct the use every other treasure for man’s ultimate good.

 

THE SECOND READING (HEB. 4: 12 – 13)

In the second reading, the author extoled the Word of God as living and active; but then, is it really alive and active in the hearts of all men/women, or just some? Is the Word living and active in the rich and poor alike? This Word of God also stands as/for the wisdom of God that helps us to discern the thoughts and intentions of our hearts; to discern what we do with our sceptres, thrones, gold, silver, wealth/riches, etc., especially for the good of humanity.

 

THE GOSPEL READING (MK. 10: 17 – 30)

In the gospel reading, a wealthy young man came to Jesus to inquire what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus handed him the ten Words or Commandments of God as a guide. Thanks to the young man who initially showed determination to do more than the Ten Commandments, but failed at last. Thanks to him as well that today, we now know that eternal life requires more than just literarily keeping the Ten Commandments. You must win something for humanity (especially the poor and less privileged) with your riches, your powers, your position etc. We must learn how to serve God and humanity in true charity.

 

CONCLUSION:

Jesus said today; “How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” But in actual sense it could be rather easier for the rich/influential to make heaven, if only they would learn how to detach from their riches; and how to use their riches to help/build humanity rather than using their riches/influence to sponsor crimes, wars, terrorism, corruption, and to sponsor human, racial, political, religious or moral apartheid.

 

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin

28^th Sunday, Year B: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Choosing Christ above every other thing

Readings: Wis. 7:7-11; Heb. 4:12-13; Mk 10:17-30

Dear friends in Christ, our world is full of beautiful things despite the difficulties it poses most times. But the church invites us through the readings of today to choose Christ above all the beautiful and sweet things of the world if we want to inherit eternal life because to have Him is to possess all other things and even more, but to lose Him is to lose both the beautiful and sweet things of the world and ourselves.

In the gospel of today, Jesus told the young man who wanted to inherit eternal life to go and sell everything he owned, give the money to the poor, and come and follow Him so that he will gain eternal life. What Jesus told him to do about his material possession was very difficult, and the young man departed in anger. But that was the only option Christ had for him and for all those who would wish to follow Him. And that was exactly what His disciples did. They left all their material inheritance and followed Jesus. After the death of Jesus, they didn’t return home to take back their possessions; rather, they went from place to place, preaching the gospel.

Priests and religious are also following this order from Christ; that is why they must leave their family and inheritance and focus their entire life and attention on building up the Church, the kingdom of God here on earth. Their attention is not on being materially rich; their material sustenance comes from the lay faithful.

But what should the lay faithful do? Does this command of Christ about material possession, as well as His warning that it will be difficult for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God, also apply to them, since they need material possessions to sustain their families, govern the world, and support the church? The answer is ‘yes’. But should they abandon or sell off their material possessions in order to follow Christ the way priests and religious are required to do? The answer is ‘no’. Then, what should the lay people do to be faithful to the command of Christ about abandoning material possessions and following Him?

The answer is that the lay faithful should sell their possession, and follow Christ, not selling these possessions in the literal sense, but rather in the symbolic sense. This means the lay faithful who want to follow Christ and inherit the kingdom of God should keep their possessions but must do these two things.

First, they must put Jesus and His demands above their material possessions; they must give priority to Jesus over their material possessions. This means that whenever what it takes to be materially rich and the attention material possession demands come in conflict with what Jesus commanded us to do and the attention that should be given to Jesus, the lay faithful, as well as everyone, should give priority to Jesus and his commands. This is the teaching at the heart of the first reading.

This reading told us what Solomon did when he was faced with the option of choosing between wealth, power, and wisdom. Instead of choosing wealth and power over God, as many people are doing in our world nowadays, Solomon chose wisdom, the wisdom of God, which enables us to value heavenly riches above earthly gains. The author, therefore, advised his people and us to do the same, to choose God above all the choices that the material world offers.

Whenever someone chooses God above the beautiful things that the material world offers, many people often regard him as foolish and unreal, especially those who think that attending to their businesses or relaxing at home or in the bars is better than going to Church on Sundays, those who think that the teachings of Christ should not be applied when doing business and politics, and those who think that people who want to be rich and enjoy their life should push Christian faith aside and live their life the way they deem fit. These people do think that it is impossible for those who have given Christ priority in their lives to be rich and happy in this world. Indeed, it appears impossible in the eyes of men, but all things are possible with God, according to Jesus in today’s gospel.

The second thing the lay faithful should do to be faithful to the command of Jesus regarding material possessions is that they must be prepared to put their material and non-material possessions at the service of God, the church, and the poor. This means that whenever they are called to put their talents, possessions, and time at the service of the Church and the poor, they should do so willingly and generously.

We should remember that despite the fact that the young man that came to Jesus had observed all the commandments given by Moses, something was still lacking in him; he lacked good service to the poor. So, it is never enough to observe all the prohibitions listed in commandments; whoever wants to inherit the kingdom of God also needs to recognize Jesus in the poor and in the Church and offer Him good services by serving the poor and the Church.

Happy Sunday and peace be with you.

Fr Isaac C Chima.

 28^TH SUNDAY, YEAR B: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: THE CHOICE BETWEEN LEAVING AND LIVING; LEAVING SAD OR LIVING GLAD

(Mark 10:17-30)

The gospel of today is a beautiful story about a person with a lovely beginning who is in the quest for an everlasting living. The beauty of the narrative is seen in the sincere manner at which the rich young man approached Jesus concerning what to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus gave him a list of some of the requirements. He acknowledged having kept all these from his youth. Wow, interesting. Jesus looked steadily on him and loved him. Jesus loved him because he wasn't mincing words. He actually kept all these commandments. Jesus is very happy at the efforts we make to be good. Our sincere struggle to be good gives him joy. But he wishes that we do not relax at the good we think we are doing till they become better as the day go by.

That was another reason why He loved this young man. Even as he was doing all these he still inquired into what else is needed for him to be better. If the above last reason was his motive Jesus was and should of course give him kudos for his quest. But if on the other hand his whole race towards Jesus, his kneeling at his feet and his asking that question was just to be given an immediate promotion into the kingdom of God, then he is going to be disappointed. How often do we want to be celebrated for our achievements? How often do you feel sad when you're required to do it right by your superiors and guardians?

When Jesus after loving this young man told him what was remaining for him to gain eternal life, his countenance changed, the smile on his face went on exile, the love he possessed for Jesus was aborted. He gave up the quest, he chose death instead of this type of life. He left sad. He queried: What is living without having? What is life without money? What is health without wealth? what is ability without necessary amenities?

He was blinded by his wealth. He came for enlightenment and left with darkness. He came happy and instead of leaving happier he left worse. We sing: "when I come into your presence am so happy..." This man came and saw happiness but chose sadness. May this never be your portion.

The Lord today is placing before you joy, goodness and Life. Choose life and live. What are the riches in your life stopping you from entering into life everlasting? Are you taking these haves as end in themselves? Are you not supposed to use them to buy yourself what wealth in the real sense cannot buy? Do you realise that the things that distract you from focusing on eternity are supposed to help you realise eternity? Why have you decided to be bought over by things you are expected by Christ to sell in order to have life? The Lord Jesus doesn't want you to drown in the ocean of ephemerals. He rather wishes you have life and have it in abundance.

BLESSINGS

As you make the great choice to live today may God help you to leave everything that hinders you from achieving life. May you not leave from today's Eucharistic celebration sad. May you be glad and glorify the Lord with the riches he has given you. And may heaven be your eternal reward. May your beautiful beginnings bring you to a beautiful end through Christ our Lord. Amen.

HAPPY SUNDAY TO YOU (28th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 Friday of 27^th Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: Don’t demonize the good deeds of those who don’t agree with you

Reading: Lk 11:15-26

Dear friends in Christ, one of the lessons from today’s gospel reading is a warning to stop demonizing the good deeds of others, even if they don’t agree with us on certain aspects of life and faith. Jesus had just healed a man tormented by an evil spirit. Instead of acknowledging His good deed and perhaps rejoicing with the man who had regained his freedom, some Pharisees, out of jealousy, decided to change the narrative, spreading the malicious slander that He was collaborating with Beelzebul, head of the devils, to cast out smaller devils.

Some of the challenges that many families, towns, groups, and organizations face today are either the result of or are centered on the issue depicted in today's gospel. Some people are willing to do whatever it takes to discredit any good that comes from another source because they believe that good things should only come from them or from any group to which they belong. If they are unable to eliminate the person involved, they start a smear campaign against his good deeds, making sure they make all his good deeds look evil or worthy of contempt.

Dear friends, we are human beings with different perspectives on life and different choices, and we cannot all agree on everything. However, this does not mean we should regard those who disagree with us as devils or demonize their good deeds simply because they disagree with us or don’t belong to the same group with us. Our focus should be to do good always and to acknowledge this good wherever we see it. When we oppose the good deeds of others, we fight against the Summum Bonum.

May your Friday be blessed.

Fr. Isaac C. Chima

Wednesday of 27^th Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: Fidelity to the gospel in both words and deeds

Reading: Gal 2:1-2,7-14

According to today’s first reading, Paul rebuked Peter when they were at table in Antioch. The reason for Paul’s action and what he told Peter could help us in our mission to evangelize our brothers, sisters and friends.

At the heart of the trouble in the early Christian community of Antioch was the wrong teaching by some Jews that the Gentile converts must also observe all the laws of Moses, including circumcision, if they wanted to be true believers in Christ. However, when the apostles and St Paul weighed in, the Gentiles were told not to subject themselves to circumcision, since they were already adults. They were rather taught that faith in Christ was supreme, and that they should also refrain from practices that go contrary to the message of the gospel and God’s commandments as given by Moses. Although this stance was accepted by everyone, it probably didn’t go down well with some Jewish Christians.

While Peter was at table with the uncircumcised Gentiles of Antioch, some Jews entered the dining room and Peter stopped eating as soon as he saw them, possibly to avoid offending his fellow Jews who had not fully accepted the position of the apostles regarding the inclusion of gentiles into Christianity without having them circumcised. There and then, Paul rebuked him for such cowardly act saying: “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews.” (Gal 2:14). Paul meant that if Peter continued to live the same cowardly life as the Gentiles, he would be unable to win them over.

Dear friends, St Paul’s advice is deep and compelling. It challenges us to assess the image of Christianity our actions are presenting to those we have been sent to convert, as well as the impression we are making in them. If our actions do not reflect the message that we preach, we can’t convince them that Christianity is a true religion; in fact, we will be indirectly telling them that what we preach is not practicable. If we still soak ourselves in the same lifestyle that we want them to exit from, or even live worse than them, it will be difficult to convince them that Christianity offers a better lifestyle than theirs. Therefore, let us match all our words with good deeds everywhere we go.  

May God’s blessings and favours be yours this Wednesday, Amen.

Fr Isaac Chima.

 Monday of 27^th Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: Beware of those who preach a gospel contrary to Christ’s (Gal. 1:9)

Reading: Galatians 1:6-12

Since the early days of the church, her leaders have never failed to correct erroneous teachings, rebuke those who taught and spread them, and warn Christians to be on their guard so that they will not be deceived and misled. They do all these because of their conviction that God gave them the vocation/mandate to help their brothers and sisters who have accepted Jesus in saving their souls, and that God will judge them according to how well they performed this function.

It is good to note that the letters of St Paul and those of the apostles were written to address and correct problems and doctrinal errors that came up in the communities founded by them and their followers. So, when the leaders of the Church of our days raise their voices or write to correct errors in the Church and rebuke false preachers, we should know that they are performing their leadership role.

In today’s first reading, St Paul wrote to the Galatians in order to bring back to the true faith and practice Christians who were being misled by those who were preaching a false gospel, a gospel that was contrary to the one for which Christ died on the cross. Paul warned Galatian Christians to stay away from such people, for they were after their own benefits.

Preachers of false gospel (those who preach a message that makes their pockets bigger and advance their other personal interests) are still present in our own time; in fact, their number has increased. They often change their masks and tactics, but still with the same message. They preach what the people want to hear and smile home with big pockets. St Paul warns that we should beware of such people.

In today's gospel, a young man approached Jesus and asked Him a question about who his neighbour is, expecting Jesus to preach what he wanted to hear. Instead, Jesus gave him a message according to the mind of God, one that he never anticipated to hear.

True preachers don’t preach what the people would love to hear, but rather what God commanded them to preach, even if such preaching would hurt the feelings of the people. Unfortunately, many preachers today take advantage of people’s desire to hear what makes them happy by preaching to them a gospel that is not the gospel of Jesus Christ, especially the gospel of material prosperity, attacks from relatives and friends, and that of empty promises in the name of Jesus. Let us open our eyes and be on our guard.

May God bless and protect you this Week.

Fr Isaac Chima