19^th Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Fix Your Gaze Always on Jesus

Readings: 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11–13a; Rom 9:1–5; Mt 14:22–33

Dear friends, as Christians, we are called to love God, defend our faith, stand against evil, and render good service in society. However, we live in a world filled with forces that oppose this divine mandate. The question that confronts us this Sunday is: How do we respond when crises or tribulations arise precisely because we love God or because we have done something good? The readings of this Sunday offer us an answer. They invite us to keep our focus on God with unwavering faith, especially in moments of difficulty. They emphasize what we should do when we suffer for doing good, when we are punished for refusing to participate in wrongdoing, or when we face hostility because of our fidelity to God.

The first reading recounts the deep crisis, threats, and pains the prophet Elijah endured because of his service to God. During the reign of King Ahab, idolatry spread widely in Israel through the influence of Queen Jezebel. Elijah, following God’s instruction, challenged the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel, defeated them, and wiped them out. Jezebel, enraged, sought to kill him. With nowhere safe to hide, Elijah fled into the desert and begged God to take his life, unable to bear the threats any longer. But God sent an angel to strengthen him, and later appeared to him, instructing him to go to Mount Horeb and stand before Him. Today’s passage recounts that encounter.

What God told Elijah is what He tells all who face threats, mistreatment, denial of opportunities, or persecution in their families, workplaces, offices, or society because of their love for God, their service to humanity, their commitment to truth, or their refusal to support evil. We live in a world where many are indifferent to goodness and may go to great lengths to persecute those whose lives reflect the light of God.

Many people today suffer because of something good they did—whether in their families, communities, or offices. Some feel disappointed with God for not intervening when they were attacked or ridiculed. Others regret ever doing good because of the hostility they received and the apparent silence of God. Dear friends, God is speaking to anyone in such a situation, saying, “Do not despair. Be strong. Look up to Me”. God may not come in the way we expect—just as Elijah expected God in the wind and earthquake—but in the silence of our hearts we discover that God is near. Difficult moments are not times to run away from God or to seek refuge in the devil. Suffering unjustly is not a call to lose faith or contemplate suicide, but a time to climb the mountain of prayer and encounter God in the gentle breeze of His presence.

The Gospel presents another account of people exposed to danger because of their service to Christ. After Jesus taught the crowd, the disciples wanted them dismissed because it was late, but Jesus insisted they feed the people first. Because of this act of charity, the disciples set out late at night and were consequently exposed to the storms at sea. As the waves tossed them violently, Jesus was not physically in the boat. It seemed as though He had left them to perish.

How do we feel when our suffering comes from an act of goodwill we performed for the Church or society? Many in such situations seek alternative help, while others may renounce God and join the camp of evil, just as Job’s wife suggested to him. The devil is cunning; he whispers that God has abandoned us and that the storms will swallow us. But this is false.

The Gospel teaches that Jesus is never far from us in our crises. He knows our struggles and always comes to our aid. All we need to do is look up—look beyond the waves tossing us from side to side—and we will see Jesus walking toward us, saying, “Courage, do not be afraid.”

By recounting that Jesus walked upon the stormy waters, this Gospel reveals that He is stronger than our problems and more powerful than the tempest that seeks to engulf our lives. In truth, these forces lie beneath His feet; God has placed them under His authority.

When Peter accepted Jesus’ words and fixed his gaze on Him, he walked calmly on the same stormy waters that threatened his life. He discovered that the very source of his fear could not conquer him. He only began to sink when he shifted his focus from Jesus to the waves. In the same way, when we look up to Jesus with faith in the midst of life’s storms, we discover that our fears cannot overpower us. They may not disappear, but they lose their power. As long as our gaze remains fixed on Jesus, the waves of this world will never conquer us.

This is our lesson today: if we lose our focus on God in difficult moments, our problems begin to overwhelm us. But when we keep our eyes on Jesus, our fears lose their power. Dear friends, I do not know your particular struggles, but the Church invites you today to fix your gaze on Jesus. Look beyond the waves of your problems and difficulties, and you will find Him walking toward you with strength and peace.

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 19^TH SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: WALKING TOWARDS GOD

(Matthew 14:22-33)

It has been the will of God to walk with man from the time of creation.  That explains why, in Genesis, we hear of the visit of God to interact and unite with Adam and Eve.  But man chose the forbidden fruit. He failed to walk towards God, stopped walking with God, and started walking with the enemy of God, away from God, towards the creature instead of the creator.  What a mistake.

 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WALK TOWARDS GOD?

Walking towards God presupposes a lot of walking away. As we saw in the Gospel today, Jesus made the apostles to leave the scene of the feeding of the 5000. Walking towards the Lord involves walking towards the spiritual, the eternal while leaving the material, the temporal behind. It is responding more to spiritual hunger and satisfaction of the desires of the soul.

Walking towards Jesus has to do with moving into the boat, that is the Church and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you.

Walking with Jesus is a divine encounter in solitude. It is walking away from the crowd. It is singling oneself out and being bonded to Christ. It is a listening in private prayers. It is a response to the summons of God.

 

LET US LEARN TO WALK WITH THE LORD

We enter into Christ through Baptism, the gate to salvation. As infants, we are guarded and guided by the teachings and directions of Christ to become mature individual Christians. We do not just live as just a body of believers.  We try to discover ourselves, our place among the many Christians out there. We learn to speak to God. We learn to approach God. We begin to admire things of the spirit, and we start plunging ourselves into the wonders and mysteries of the things of the Spirit. We learn to keep an eye on God and on the Holy. We try to keep away from the mundane, the depraved and the corrupt. We endeavour to tell God, "Saviour teach me day by day." We try to get from the Lord, the ways out of the very many evil forces surrounding us and the ranging tempests here and there.

In the Gospel of today, we saw the interested Peter, who represented each and every one of us, the children of God, on how we ought to relate with God in a personal way, how we should learn to follow the Lord, what it means to walk with Lord.

 

LESSON FROM PETER, THE WALKING CHILD

The effort to follow Christ, to walk towards Him in a personal way, is not an easy one.

Jesus had instructed the disciples to enter the boat. Then, the boat began to be tossed about by the wind blowing against it.

Are you surprised when you feel tossed about by problems even when you're a member of the Church? Does it trouble you that even after your efforts not to move over to the rebels, not to practice one ungodly act or the other, etc, forces still hit you here and there?

Jesus wants you to walk towards Him.

Jesus wants us to look up and see Him walking towards us, walking indeed on the things we fear most. Think of those things making you fear walking towards God, doing the will of God, praying the way you should, raising a Christian family, building a holy, noble relationship, etc. Look up and see Christ offering you a way out, a support, the spiritual side of the story.

 

To learn walking towards Christ, work on your fears and limitations.

Little children are often hindered from walking by the natural tendency and inclination to lie down or sit down. To be able to walk, they must be inspired to rise. Rise up from sitting in dormancy of enjoying the crowd coverage. Move from the 5000 into the 12 and from the 12 into the YOU, the single.

Little children are moved to walk by their desire to get grip of what is before them. They are drawn by the spectacle of the beauty before them. They stand, move the first leg, then the other, and again, they continue. Somewhere along the line, the claps and hailing by people around, the noise of those calling him little child, or whispering "he will fall, or fellow children running up and down touches him and makes him remember that he is not qualified to walk pulls him down. He cries and someone, holds them up, urges them on, and encourages them not to be of little faith but to continue till all is perfected.

This is indeed what we witnessed when Jesus summoned Peter today. Peter walked on. He walked on the forces and waves that were against him.  At a time, he started sinking and called out to Christ to save him. Jesus did and took him into the boat.

Dear Child of God. Make an effort to learn from God. Make an effort to advance in virtues. Endeavour to follow the instructions of Christ. Cry out for help when you start going down. Give God your helpless hand. He will offer you his helping hand. His grace will see you through. 

May God bless His word in our hearts.

LET US PRAY

Behold us, Lord, as we are walking towards you in private and communal prayers, in meditation and devotion, in weakness and fears. We need Your grace in the journey of life. We need Your abiding presence in times of trials and temptations. Deliver us from the many forces trying to make us lose focus on You our Lord and God. Help us to walk steadfastly in the light of Your word through Christ our Lord.  Amen

Happy Sunday (19th Week, Ordinary Time, Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 18^th Sunday, Year A: homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Trusting God’s Providence in Times of Scarcity and Sorrow.

Readings: Is 55:1-3; Rom 8:35,37-39; Mt 14:13-21

Dearest brothers and sisters, we have a God who never abandons us to the forces that seek to destroy us—forces that threaten our spiritual and physical well‑being. The readings of this Sunday are a powerful testimony to God’s benevolence. They remind us that, despite the sorrows and uncertainties around us, we still have a God who cares, who loves, and who continues to provide for His people.

In the second reading, Saint Paul speaks to Christians who were suffering persecution, hardship, and discouragement. Many were already losing hope because of the trials they faced. Paul reminds them—and us—that no situation, no matter how painful, can separate us from the love of God. He asks, “What will separate us from the love of Christ? Anguish, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or the sword?” And then he declares with conviction that nothing—neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor present nor future things—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Dear friends, I may not know the details of your personal struggles. But I know that many people among us carry heavy burdens: family conflicts, loss of loved ones, hostility in workplaces, abuses, illness, economic hardship, or injustice. Whatever your situation may be, dear friends, Saint Paul assures you today: your suffering cannot separate you from God’s love. God still sees you, still loves you, still cares for you.

The Gospel gives us a vivid demonstration of this loving care. Jesus performed a miracle in the desert—a place without life, without resources, and without ‘hope’. There were only five loaves and two fish, yet this scarcity did not prevent Jesus from feeding the multitude. This miracle simply demonstrates that neither the lack of resources nor the remoteness of the place could stop God’s providence from reaching us. In the same way, dear friends, our difficult circumstances cannot stop God from acting in our life, from reaching us, and from saving us.

The Gospel begins by telling us that Jesus had just heard of the death of His cousin, John the Baptist. He withdrew to a lonely place in sorrow. Yet His grief did not prevent Him from caring for the spiritual and physical needs of others. This is the love Saint Paul spoke about in the second reading—a love stronger than sorrow, stronger than death. Such is the nature of God’s love for us. What then must we do?

The prophet Isaiah tells us how to respond to this love. He invites us to come to God, to listen to Him, and to find life. He says, “Why spend your money for what is not bread, your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and you shall eat well… Pay attention and come to me; listen so that you may have life.” Many of us are so distracted that we no longer listen to God. God speaks to humanity from His words in the Bible. If we truly desire to hear God’s word in the situations we face, we must open the Bible and read it. Every passage of Scripture contains something God has spoken about our lives and our circumstances. Many people are also so busy that they no longer find time for prayer, not even in moments of crisis. Yet prayer is what allows us to enter into communion with God, to open our hearts to Him, and to follow His guidance in every moment of life. Dear friends, Isaiah calls us back, saying, “Why waste your strength elsewhere? Come to God.”

Today the Church invites us to open our hearts and listen attentively to God’s direction. We must be attentive and obedient, just as the disciples were in the Gospel. Human logic says that five loaves and two fish cannot feed five thousand people. But the disciples did not doubt Jesus; they listened and obeyed, and a miracle happened. The lesson is this: nothing is impossible for God, even in your situation. Only listen and obey his voice.

Another important lesson is from Jesus’ prayer over the loaves and fish. Faced with insufficient resources, the typical reaction would be to complain or pray for multiplication. But Jesus did something different: He lifted His eyes to heaven and gives thanks for the little that was available. He did not complain; rather, He trusted, and God worked wonders. We must learn from this. Our prayer should not be limited to complaints. Let us make time to thank God for what we have, even when it seems small and insufficient. Gratitude opens the door to miracles.

May you have a blessed Sunday

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 18^TH SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: FOLLOW JESUS, DON'T ALLOW HIM TO WITHDRAW

(Mathew14:13-21)

To understand the message in today's Gospel reading, it will be important to consider the background to the gospel pericope: The death of John the Baptist. The news came to Jesus Christ that he has just been beheaded. And Jesus withdrew.

Thinking about the reason behind Jesus' withdrawal brings us to the contemplation on the person of John the Baptist and in a special way who he is to Christ. John was the forerunner of Jesus Christ. In him people even saw a reflection of Christ Himself. Jesus was tempted to withdraw at hearing what became of John the Baptist in his mission which is not far from His own fate. He was tempted to go into hiding at seeing the ingratitude of the world He has come to save. He was saddened at the choice of evil over good. It was funny that Herodias whose marriage John was saving, whose head he was saving demanded through her daughter the head of John on a platter.

It was a serious discouragement that Herod who knew the truth could not pay heed to the prophetic voice but adhered strictly to the voice of a dancing prostitute.

It was a shock for Jesus that the head that spoke wisdom was handed over to a foolish girl. It was a great disappointment that the people began to celebrate evil while goodness languished in jail. Are there no such situations in and around us? They make Jesus to be withdrawn from us, they break the heart of Jesus, they make God contemplate if we actually desire to be saved.

 

FOLLOW THE COMPASSIONATE JESUS

It is good that some people looked up to Jesus as their one and only hope. Seeing the countenance of Jesus they ran on foot and never wanted to waste any time lest they miss the direction He was going, till they found him. Does it matter to you that you have made God turn his back on you? Do you even ask yourself if God is still happy with you? Does it disturb you that the world has incessantly broken the heart of Jesus? Do you care to do away with the things separating you from the love of God? Do you make any effort to appeal to his mercy and compassion?

Jesus looked and saw the great throng . He had compassion on them. He abandoned his plan to withdraw. He saw their helplessness, sickness and pains. He began to minister unto them. He healed them, taking care of them till evening. May God continue to take care of you till the appointed hour of your death. But for Him to do this, give God reasons to remain with you. Make Him know that you cannot survive without his mercy and compassion.

 

FOLLOW AND HAND OVER

 Jesus was followed also by his disciples. when the day was over they asked Jesus to send the crowd away from the lonely place where they were for them to go and find something to eat. what are the forces suggesting that you be taken away from Jesus? what type of emptiness is trying to distance you from Christ? are you frustrated to the point of allowing yourself to be dragged away from the presence of God in search of money, love, connection etc.?

Jesus will not allow you to go the way you came. With Him you cannot be lonely. He satisfies you with good things. he only wants you to stop complaining and hand over everything about you into His hands. Hand over your sorrows, hand over your pains, hand over your tears, hand over the little you have. In your hand it is one thing, in the hand of Jesus Christ it is another thing. Listen to what Jesus is saying in the midst of all those situations embarrassing you, "you need not go away". Learn to make the ugly situations of your life draw you closer to Jesus to see the beauty in the clay of your life. Open your ears and eyes to enter into conversation with Jesus. To hear him speak: "calm down", to behold him taking over your burdens.

 

FOLLOW TO THE END: YOU WILL COUNT THE BLESSINGS

Jesus commanded for a handover that necessitated a take-over which gave birth to baskets of leftover. You've got to watch and follow Jesus to the end. see how the attention moved away from the crowd and from the disciples as soon as everything was handed over to Jesus Christ. He takes the centre Stage. position Jesus at the centre of your life and you will just be counting your blessings naming them one by one. Even where others see no reason to praise God you will have a reason to praise the Lord. He ordered them to sit down as if to say "the battle is not yours ". He takes the little, five loaves and two fish and He looks up to heaven. Looking up to heaven means a lot. He takes away your eye from the ephemerals of the world to things that last, blessings from above, food of everlasting life, contentment and satisfaction with what you have. He inspires you on how to explore the possibilities of success around and how to find peace within and not to go elsewhere in search of it.

May the blessings of leftover rain down on you. May God bless you with a generous spirit. May all you have already handed over to Jesus (your children, your finances, your peace etc) be taken over by him and yield a harvest of abundant leftover.

Through today's breaking of the bread may God help us to follow him, eat and be satisfied and also adore him in the lonely Tabernacle where He withdraws waiting for our company.

May God bless His Word in our hearts through Christ our Lord Amen.

Happy Sunday (18th week of ordinary time, yr A)

Rev. Fr. Julian O Ekeh

 17^th Sunday, Year A: homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Body Language of Those Who Have Found Heaven

Readings: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7–12; Rom 8:28–30; Mt 13:44–52

While going through the readings of this Sunday, one beautiful Igbo song kept ringing in my mind. I would like to begin this reflection with that song: “Ụlọ m dị n’eluigwe mara mma, ụlọ m dị n’eluigwe mara mma. Ụlọ m dị n’ụwa mana nke dị n’igwe ka ya mma eh, ọnwụ adịghị ya.” The translation says: “My house in heaven is beautiful. Yes, I have a house on earth, but the one in heaven is far more beautiful because there is no death there.”

This beautiful song captures the motivation behind the actions of the two men in the first two parables of today’s Gospel. They sold everything they possessed in order to acquire the treasure they had found. There is no other justification for their actions except that their newly discovered treasures meant everything to them. For that reason, they willingly let go of all they had previously depended on—everything that once gave them pleasure, security, and assurance—in order to obtain their newfound treasure.

Jesus tells us that the greatest treasure these men discovered is the Kingdom of God. For the sake of gaining this Kingdom, they gave up all they once relied on. Through these parables, Jesus reveals the proper response of those who have found God and seen the beauty of heaven—the body language of those who have discovered heaven.

Anyone who has truly found God will never choose anything above God. Anyone who has glimpsed the beauty of heaven will not be deceived by the attractive things of this world. Such a person will always prioritize the law of God, as the psalmist reminds us today. He will say to himself, “Yes, the world is beautiful, but I will not lose heaven because of the beauty of this world. The beauty of this world fades, but the beauty of heaven remains forever.” He will also say, “The riches of this world are sweet and attractive, but they pass away. I will not lose my soul or heaven because of earthly riches, for the riches of heaven never pass away.” And again, he will say, “Yes, earthly friendships are good, but I will not lose communion with God because of my friends. Communion with God lasts forever, while earthly friendships last only for a moment.”

All who have found God’s Kingdom, when confronted with a choice between God’s Kingdom and the beautiful things of this world, will always choose God’s Kingdom because they know the value of what they have found. They would gladly echo St Paul in Philippians 3:7–9: “Whatever was gain to me, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”

So, the question for us is: Are we prepared to lose friends, wealth, relatives, jobs, and other sources of earthly joy when they become obstacles to God’s Kingdom?

In recent years, one phenomenon has gained serious momentum in Nigeria—the Japa movement: the rush to travel abroad at the slightest opportunity. The difficulties in Nigeria have left many with no option but to crowd foreign embassies seeking visas. Many sold almost everything they owned—lands, cars, houses—to raise money for visas and flight tickets. If Nigerians are willing to sell all they possess to obtain visas and travel abroad, Christians should be even more willing to renounce whatever stands between them and the Kingdom of God.

Let us be practical and mention some sources of earthly joy, comfort, and happiness that can hinder our journey to God’s Kingdom. Can you tell yourself that if getting a particular job—or working in a certain office—will cost you the Kingdom of God, it is better to remain unemployed? Can you tell yourself that if the means of becoming wealthy, acquiring cars, money, or political positions will cost you heaven, it is better to remain poor? (What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Mt 16:26). Can you tell a friend that if being close to him or her will cost you your sanctity, you are ready to end the friendship? These two parables challenge us in countless ways.

Choosing God in the midst of worldly options that promise instant happiness, joy, and wealth is not easy. What often comes to mind is the fear of suffering, rejection, loss of job, or loss of relationships. The Church does not promise that choosing God makes one immune to hardship, poverty, rejection, or even death. But we must remember Christ’s promise: “Everyone who has forsaken houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or lands for my sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” (Mt 19:29)

This promise is strengthened by today’s second reading, where St Paul assures us: “In everything, God works for good with those who love Him.” (Rom 8:28)

The first reading gives us a living example of what God does for those who choose Him above earthly joys. Solomon was given the option to choose whatever he wanted. Among all the possibilities, Solomon chose wisdom—the ability to discern God’s will and follow it—so he could govern God’s people rightly. Because of this choice, God blessed Solomon with far more than he asked for.

Therefore, the lesson for us today is: When we prioritize God and heaven, God takes care of all our other needs, because He has promised: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things will be added unto you.” (Mt 6:33)

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 17^TH SUNDAY YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: TIME FOR TREASURE HUNT: BE WISE

Gospel: Mt 13:44–52

There comes in the life of man, a time to make a choice, to set aside, to go for what you want, to keep away distractions, to ask, seek and search.

What matters to one person may not matter to another. What one man treasures may not be a treasure for the other. But no matter the many perspectives on treasure which may at times be an abuse of the word, we are called upon to consider treasure as it is. Not from a relative point of view. Treasure that worth the name is one laid down by God.

Thus in the gospel of today, Jesus used three parables to talk about the kingdom of God. He talks about it as a hidden treasure. We shall do a study on this to know the relationship between the kingdom and a hidden treasure. It is within, it is around you. It is with you. Just discover it and grab it.

Secondly, He talks of it as fine pearls which was found by a merchant and he sold all to have it. It is indeed about giving up something today for a better tomorrow and eternity. It involves seeing what others fail to see. The value of most of the things you do may not be understood today but later in life. Be future driven. Be driven by eternity. People buy lands that seem to be valueless at present but they appreciate later to give them lifetime wealth. In a world where heavenly values are no longer taken seriously, we are called upon to appreciate heavenly and godly values.

Jesus talks of the kingdom too as a net thrown into the sea for a catch of fish.

Whereas the first and second parables centre on guarding jealously what one treasured, covering and protecting it from attacks and snatchers, as well as selling off the unnecessaries to buy the treasure the third is an invitation to make sure you separate whatever that may make you be separated from among those who will inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Thus, when we make God our one and only treasure, go for him and His values, He in turn makes us His special treasures, the apple of His eye. While separating the good from bad fish, we shall be taken into his heavenly vessel.

Today and indeed now is the time for us to go about the hunt for the treasure of eternal joy, a joy which begins here. The following are necessary in our treasure search and discovering of our treasure:

 

DISCOVER AND COVER

Jesus leads us through the spiritual voyage of discovery in which we find the way to the kingdom of God. That is the purpose for which He came to the world; to forgive us our sins and lead us to heaven. It is His will that having discovered the secrets of the kingdom revealed through his life and teachings we may guard them, keep them safe and handle them with care. That is what the man who found the treasure hidden in the field did. In our world so saturated with a lot of false teachings and misdirections, Jesus beckons on us to guide our faith jealously because the enemy shows myriads of treasures. He has not stopped taking people to the high mountains showing them different kingdoms and promising to give it to them. Be firm. Cover the treasure in you. Don't expose it to mundane, diabolical and immoral devourers.

 

SEPARATE THE UNNECESSARY

In order not to be separated at last...

Set aside and sieve. Keep sieving till you get at the finest you. Sieve the information you receive. Sieve the type of persons you mingle with, sieve the advice you receive, sieve out discouragement, sieve away ego, sieve out pride.

 

BE TRAINED

Jesus talks about the disciple who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven. The only reason for which Christ continues to train us is to make us fit for his glory.

Here discipline comes in.

To attain your goal in life you've got to pass through training, undergo some spiritual exercises. "Onye ma akwa ọkwa n'achi ya" (Appreciate divine love hidden in experiences of life). Receive the training to learn and see the hand of God in the daily experiences of your life. Train yourself with self-control, train yourself through mortification.

 

SELL AND BUY

To attain the demands of realizing your treasure you've got to sell a lot of things. Sell your gossip time to buy prayer time, sell your sin to buy holiness, sell your laziness to buy hard work, sell your heartlessness to buy compassion, sell your pride to buy humility, sell your abuse to buy respect, sell your fear and buy faith, sell your stinginess to buy charity.

Just look within you and find out what needs to be sold. Sell it off. Use the energy you give in to it for something positive, sell the impression that someone is holding you down and hold on to God with the inspiration that he lifts you up no matter what.

Just be wise in making life decisions. Endeavour to work hard for a lasting treasure. Work with the grace of God to discover the treasure hidden in your day-to-day activities.

May God lead us to find with joy our good heart desires and be rewarded eternally with the greatest reward of happiness in heaven through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Happy Sunday to you (17th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

https://chimaisaac.medium.com/17th-sunday-year-a-reflection-by-fr-julian-ekeh-6c9f88638718

16^th Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: God’s Power Revealed in Mercy: A Call to Patience in a World of Imperfect people.

Readings: Wis 12:13, 16–19; Rom 8:26–27; Mt 13:24–43

My dearest friends, I would like to begin this homily with a story — a story that reveals what goes on in the hearts of many Christians. In December 2019, during the Christmas season, I was in a parish in Milan for pastoral duties. One day, during the preparations for Christmas, a lady approached me with a question. Her disposition was that of someone carrying a heavy burden, a burden that was affecting her faith in God.

She said to me: “Father, I believe that God is all-powerful, that His power prevails over the evil forces in the world, and that He loves us, His children. But what I do not understand is why He has failed to completely destroy evil and the wicked. Why are there evil people everywhere? Does it mean that God is no longer the mighty man in battle?”

Dear friends, the answer I gave her is drawn from today’s readings.

I know that this lady is not alone in her thoughts about God. Many people in today’s Mass may be carrying similar questions in their hearts — especially those who have suffered abuse in their lives, marriages, relationships, and families; those who have endured injustice in their workplaces and in society; those who have been repaid with evil for doing good. Many of these people ask: “Why does God permit evil to triumph so often? Why are the wicked allowed to prosper?”

My dearest friends, Jesus answers these questions in today’s parable. He teaches us the true nature of our God.

The first reading paints a beautiful picture of who God is. It tells us that He is the sovereign master of His power — great and omnipotent — yet He does not display His power through anger, punishment, or condemnation. Instead, He shows His power through mercy and patience. God judges with clemency, and with great leniency, He governs us. God is tolerant and merciful. Dear friends, this is the nature of our God; this is why He has not destroyed all our enemies. As the prophet Ezekiel says, God does not desire the death of the wicked, but that they repent and be saved.

The Gospel reading gives us a dramatic illustration of this divine nature. Through the parable of the wheat and the weeds, Jesus explains why evil coexists with good in the world and how we should treat those who do evil around us. The weeds represent those who abuse us, those who treat us unjustly, those who oppose the Church and her teachings, those who stand against truth, love, peace, and goodness. But how do we treat such people? Do we ask God to destroy them? Do we destroy them ourselves? Jesus says the answer is no.

Jesus calls us to be patient with our brothers and sisters, husbands and wives who hurt us, those who oppress us, those who disagree with us — just as God is patient with them and patient with us in our own sins. By God’s grace, and through our prayers and good example, Jesus hopes that they will be converted and saved. He wants us to convert them through our witness. The good examples we show — however small — may one day grow in their hearts like the mustard seed.

Jesus also teaches us not to be discouraged by the presence of enemies in the Church, in our families, or in society. God allows them to live so that they may repent of their evil ways. We must understand, however, that the triumph and prosperity of the wicked are short-lived, whereas the reward of the Christian who suffers because of their wickedness is everlasting.

Dearest friends, Jesus also speaks about the fate of those who refuse to change. In the parable, He says there will be a time of gathering the wheat, followed by a separation — the wheat from the weeds that refused to become wheat — and then the weeds will be thrown into the fire. This means that those who refuse to make good use of the grace given to them will not escape God’s punishment. Therefore, Jesus warns us not to take God’s patience, tolerance, and mercy for granted.

Finally, the two other parables in today’s Gospel — the mustard seed and the yeast — encourage us not to give up on the seeds of God’s kingdom that we have been planting in the hearts of others through our good actions and examples. Our small acts of goodness may seem insignificant, like the mustard seed, but they will one day grow into something great. Likewise, our good example towards those who treat us badly may appear fruitless, but if we remain patient — like a baker waiting for his dough to rise — we will surely see the results.

Let us pray in today’s Holy Mass for the gift of patience: that we may be patient with ourselves, with God, and with others. Let us also ask God to help us to be loving and merciful, and to understand His true nature.

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chima