22^nd Sunday Year B: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: True vs false obedience to God's commandments

Readings: Deut. 4:1-2,6-8; James 1:17-18,21b-22,27; Mk 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

Dearest brothers and sisters, today, the twenty-second Sunday of the ordinary time, the church invites us to rethink our obedience to the commandments of God; to re-evaluate our approach to what God commanded us to do in his commandments. It is in this regard that the readings of today direct our attentions to the best way to obey God’s commandments for our salvation and for the good of our neighbours. They call our minds to what true religion truly is. It is not simply a scrupulous, external observance of rules, laws, traditions, and rituals. It is a loving, obedient relationship with God expressed in obeying His Commandments, worshipping Him, recognizing His presence in other human beings, and rendering them loving and humble service.

All adventures (businesses, sports, education, and journeys) in this world have laws or rules that guide them. To be successful in these adventures, obedience to their laws is sacrosanct. In the same way, the first reading of today tells us that our relationship with God is also rules-based, and that progress or success in this relationship is dependent upon our obedience to these rules given by a faithful God.

In this first reading, Moses urged the people of Israel to be obedient to the commandment given to them by God. He said to them: “obey all the laws that I am teaching you, and you will live and occupy the land the Lord is giving you. Do not add anything and do not take away anything.” According to Moses, faithfulness to these laws would lead to the following consequences: First, it would help Israel to survive as a people in the land of promise; Second, it would make the people of Israel proud of their God and His Covenant; and third, it would make their neighbouring nations to marvel at the graciousness and justice of the God of Israel, at His closeness to His people, and at their closeness to Him. These nations will praise Israel as truly wise and intelligent people.

However, failure to obey the commandments of God would lead them to doom. We know how Israel suffered under great nations because of their disobedience to the commandments of God. Dear friends, we live in a world where many people are meticulous in obeying the state laws and the laws of the secular organizations they belong to, but they want a freestyle when it comes to obedience to the commandments of God. This is appalling. The church reminds us that obedience to the commandments of God should be sacrosanct in our lives, and it is, in fact, indispensable if we are to enjoy a good relationship with our God. Do we know these commandments? Have we stopped obeying some of them? Have we allowed ourselves to be deceived by those who play down on the seriousness of the commandments of God? These are questions to be answered personally.

Dear brothers and sisters, while true religion or true relationship with God requires obedience to the commandments of God, it also requires our recognition of God wherever we find Him. Whoever is in a good relationship with God should be able to recognize God’s presence in heaven, in the church and in his fellow human beings. Failure to recognize the face of God as such has led many people to false religion and false relationship with God. This was the point Saint James raised in the second reading of today.

Saint James gives us the wonderful formal definition of true religion or true relationship with God. He defined true religion as translating the love of God or stepping down obedience to God into deeds of loving kindness toward the vulnerable members of our community and putting into practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. More specifically, true religion means that one is to “care for orphans and widows in their afflictions and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.” Thus, dear friends, if I am in a true relationship with God, I must also see the face of God in the Poor, in the immigrants, in the sick, in the hungry, in the abandoned old people and children of our society, in my husband, in my wife, in my children and my friends. If I cannot see God in these people, it means I do not know God.

It was on this account that Jesus rebuked the Pharisees in the gospel of today. The Pharisees are the teachers of the laws and commandments of God, but what they regarded as true observance of the laws of God was obedience to the external laws and rituals. They concentrated on the letters of the law and never cared about the spirit of the law. Consequently, they were blind to the needs of the poor, the hungry, the afflicted, the widows and orphans in their midst. For them, true religion only meant being present in the synagogue every sabbath (just like attending Holy Masses everyday only), reciting their prayers in the synagogues and on the street corners, respecting the dietary laws (as we saw in the gospel of today), and other external religious observances. While these acts of piety are good, they are not enough. They must be combined with charity and sensitivity towards other people, especially to the needy.

Jesus, then, used the opportunity to teach us what should be in the heart of those who have a true relationship with God. The heart of true worshippers of God should be the dwelling place of God and charity towards fellow human beings. But Jesus noticed that the hearts of many people who claim to be in a good relationship with God have instead turned into a dwelling place for impurity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.

Dear brothers and sisters, let us cast these evils away from our hearts and then let us re-enthrone God and charity towards others in our hearts. This is true religion; this is true relationship with God.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

PUSC, ROMA

22^ND SUNDAY, YEAR B: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: "BELIEVE AND PRACTICE THE WORD OF GOD"

INTRODUCTION:

A visitor in Poland was being shown around by a party official during the communist era. The visitor asked the official; “Are you Catholic?” and the official replied; “Believing, but not practicing.” As their tour progressed, the visitor also inquired of the official; “Are you a communist?” The official smiled and said; “Practicing, but not believing.” Funny enough, many Catholics and Christians are like this official; believing, but not practicing the Word of God, and practicing some human traditions while not believing in them for the salvation of their souls.

 

THE FIRST READING (DEUT. 4: 1 – 2. 6 – 8)

In the first reading, Moses taught the people of Israel the wisdom, the understanding, the greatness, the righteousness, the blessing and the beauty in the words, statutes and ordinances of God. They are wise, great, blessed and happy; those who keep them and do them; they are even admired and praised by other nations. It becomes really unfortunate and worst of ignorance when you do not believe and cherish what you have, what even other nations/people admire; the words and commands of God; the words that are more precious than gold and silver, and sweeter than honey. (cf. Ps. 19:10; Ps. 119:72)

 

THE SECOND READING (JAM. 1: 17 – 18. 21 – 22. 27)

In the second reading, St. Paul continued to extol the beauty of God’s Word which we hear every day. He identified the word of God as the word of truth which makes us first fruits of God’s creation; which is able to save our souls. But first, we must believe and make honest efforts to be doers of the Word and not only hearers of the Word. When we hear the word of God and do it, we are made a new creation unstained from the sins and wickedness of the world, and also made bona fide heirs to the perfect gifts from heaven above and heirs to the kingdom of God at last. But when we choose to ignore the Word of God, we lose/miss out from lots of heavenly gifts and blessings in our life.

 

THE GOSPEL READING (MK. 7: 1 – 8. 14 – 15. 21 – 23)

In the gospel reading, Jesus detested the Scribes and Pharisees for priding human words, customs, traditions and ordinances above the words and ordinances of God. Practicing God’s words and ordinances keeps us inwardly (heart and mind) clean. But practicing human laws and ordinances (not all human laws) only keeps us outwardly clean but rotten on the inside.

 

CONCLUSION

Today, we are called to really believe and practice the word of God we hear every day. The word that calls us to righteousness and holiness; the word that calls us to truth and justice; the word that calls us to love and sacrifice for the good of one another; the word that calls us away from every wrong doing against God and humanity; the word that brings us into the light and glory of God.

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin

 22^ND SUNDAY, YEAR B: REFLECTION

THEME: ACTING VS LIVING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD

(Mark 7:1-8.14-15.21-23)

Today, we are presented with the commandments of God handed down through Moses to the people of Israel. Jesus wants us to see what has become of it through the touch of human misinterpretation and manipulation.  He condemns the attitude of those who opposed His own followers. He called them Hypocrites. That word in Greek means an actor. Thus, Jesus extols living above acting. He exalts the interior life and condemns the external practices aimed at deceiving the self and people. He emphasizes on what comes from the inside of the man and not just what goes there from the outside. He warns against the real defilement as opposed to the superficial dirt.

He debunks the 'how we do it' idea and develops the 'how it ought to be done' teaching.

Jesus is interested in our lives. He wants to enter into the core of our lives where the real law is written, but man pushes him outside. Why? The real is inside.

 

WHO DO YOU FOLLOW?

The commandments are meant to be ordinances we are supposed to follow in life as Children of God. But it is good to know what informs our adherence to a tradition. Which tradition should we follow?

In our attempt to do it the way of God, to live by the spirit of the law, to interpret the codes correctly, various voices speak up. Various forces claim what they are not to convince us to be in their party.  We saw it today in this Gospel. The Pharisees and scribes came asking Jesus: Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders?

Jesus must have retorted: Why must they live according to the tradition of the elders? The elders have no tradition. Jesus is the author of the tradition they were talking about here. The so-called elders were those who have become experts in giving the commands of God interpretations outside the mind of God.

Jesus invites us to be like the Apostles by giving attention to the heavenly directives as against the human, mundane, and diabolic laws clothed in white garb. Jesus wants us to look beyond the outside of the cup to know what lies on the inside.

The human desire and the flesh in its weakness trying to find a way out and to distort the command of God gives itself thousand and one reason to break away from the inner voice to focus on externalities.

The world today offers us a lot of good looking rites and traditions to succeed, to scale through, to look good and not be good, to appear to be and not actually be, to package etc. Jesus insists on authentic spiritual life, healing from the root and deep-rooted adherence to His will.

The devil, the first who broke the law by his disobedience, continues to use sweet arguments to lure the heart of man away from adhering to the instruction of God all because He wants to distract us from the right way that leads to our heavenly inheritance.

Jesus wants us today to beware whose voices we listen to, whose command we follow, the source of the instruction that inspires our lives.  Over and above all, he wants the law to be a purifying agent for us.

 

LET'S BE MADE PURE BY THE LAW OF GOD

Jesus is never a breaker of the law. He is only not happy with those who hide under the law as custodians of it to make things difficult for the children of God. In fact, He maintained that He must see to it that no iota of the law is abolished.

We have to learn to make good use of the commandments of God and of man to make ourselves pure and holy before the Lord. We should strive to hold firm the Decalogue, the Church laws, the good traditions of our people with a good heart, in good conscience.

We are encouraged to form good rules of life. Parents and guardians should ensure that the children live according to good family rules and regulations inspired by the scriptures. In our various places of work and offices, we should be law abiding and not pretenders. We should be authentic Christians. We should not be mere actors or eye servers. Let our practice of virtues be real. May we be loving and true. Let doing the right thing flow from us. Let us open ourselves and allow the spirit of the law, the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ visit the innermost places of our hearts to flush away the vices of sexual immorality, envy, theft, greed, murder, wickedness, licentiousness, slander and other vices.

LET US PRAY

We thank You, Lord, for opening our eyes to the commandment that comes from above. Save us from being held down by the sinful traditions of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Grant that we may be real and authentic Christians worshipping and serving You in holiness. May we be drawn closer to you and remain sinless through keeping your commandments through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Sunday (22nd Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr. B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 Friday of 21^st Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: The pleasure darkness gives cannot illuminate our paths to eternity. Be wise

Reading: Mt 25:1-13

Dear friends in Christ, the parable of the 10 maidens reminds us that we are on a journey to meet Jesus, the bridegroom of the heavenly banquet, and that some things are absolutely necessary for those who truly want to be admitted to his banquet hall. It, therefore, challenges us to ensure that we are marching towards that banquet hall with the essential things and not to waste our time concentrating on the things that will not help us on the journey.

In this parable, when the five wise maidens realized that the journey would take them across dark roads and that the bridegroom might take some time to arrive, they embarked on the journey with their lamps and enough oil. The foolish maidens, unfortunately, refused to pay attention to the essential requirements for the journey and for admission into the banquet hall. They were enthralled by the coverage that darkness could offer and the things that could be done under its shadow.  Consequently, they neglected the fact that light was required for everyone wishing to enter the banquet hall and, thus, they didn’t bother taking oil for their lamps.

Dear friends, we should be wise and realize that no one can give what he doesn’t have. Therefore, the pleasure we enjoy under the cover of darkness cannot illuminate our paths to the heavenly banquet. Only a virtuous life can illuminate our paths as we journey to meet the Saviour. Virtue is the oil that can lighten our lamps in the midst of darkness, bad attitudes can’t. Virtue is the only ticket that can open the door for us.

Some people have criticized the five wise maidens for not helping their friends who were in need. But this parable shows us that certain things cannot be borrowed; in fact, it tells us that the qualities needed to enter the banquet of eternal life cannot be borrowed, everybody will have to acquire his/her own.

Another important lesson in this parable is the fact that it might be too late to do certain things in order to enter heaven. Once the trumpet sounds, all other actions will be too late. What does this tell us? It tells us to make hay while the sun shines. Since we do not know when the trumpet will sound, we should utilize every day to gather the essential things that will help us gain admission into the banquet hall; procrastination can land us into trouble on the last day.

May your Friday yield good fruits in abundance.

Fr Isaac C. Chima

 29^th August: Memorial of the Passion of John the Baptist – reflection

Theme: Never remain silent in the face of evil

Reading: Mk 6:17-29

Today, the Church commemorates the beheading of John the Baptist whose courageousness in the face of death and in confronting evil in the society, even in the highest places, challenges us whose society has become a breeding ground for all manners of evil, especially among those in positions of power.

What got John the Baptist behind bars was his stern condemnation of the immoral life of King Herold. Herold had married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, who was still alive. Herold’s case involved both the sin of adultery and incest, for he was having a sexual affair with his brother’s wife.

John vehemently denounced Herold for his immoral life, numerous killings, and lust for power. John refused to allow his evangelic voice to be reduced to praise singing of those in authority; he didn’t allow his ministry to be used to consolidate the evil status quo in the society of his time; he refused to wine and dine with those who kept the people of God in bondage.

John leaves for us a path to follow in our various vocations, ministries, services to the society. We have seen how many of our men and women of God have turned themselves into the PROs of many people in government, singing their praises even when their hands are covered with the blood of innocent citizens. John challenges us not to allow our voices to be bought by anyone in the society; he urges us to speak out against evil even if it means losing our sources of income and our lives.

John also admonishes those who criticize and attack religious leaders for condemning the wicked actions of political leaders to understand that it is the spiritual duty of religious leaders to serve as the conscience of society’s leaders.

St John the Baptist, pray for us

Fr Isaac C. Chima

 

 Wednesday of 21^st Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: Idleness is against our Christian calling

Reading: 2 Thess. 3:6–10,16–18

When St Paul preached the good news of Jesus’ second coming to the Thessalonians, the intensity and conviction with which he proclaimed the message, as well as the interpretations given to it by his disciples, elicited some unexpected and undesirable reactions among his hearers. Two among them were widespread fear among Christians and the resolve not to work again since the 2^nd coming was judged to be imminent and would come with disaster that will wipe away everything on earth.

With the decision to stop further works, many Thessalonians became idle, folded their arms, and embarked only on prayers every day in preparation for the last day. In today’s first reading, St Paul wrote to these Thessalonians urging them to go back to their daily work while at the same time practicing their faith until the Lord comes back.

Dear friends, lying down in the church from morning till night, flying from one adoration centre or ministry to another from Monday till Sunday for prophecies of divine breakthroughs, prosperity and knowledge of the exact date of the end-time, and neglecting to commit ourselves to good services/works for our material wellbeing will be detrimental to both our spiritual and physical natures.

Waiting for manna from above in the name of miracles of material prosperity without making personal efforts to use the strength and talents given to us by God to provide our daily manna or improve our material world is against our Christian calling. St Paul warned that he who refuses to work should not eat.

We should remember that even monks and nuns who have committed themselves to contemplative life also engage in agricultural works to feed themselves and to share with the needy around them. Most of them produce the bread and wine we use at Mass and other sacramentals and religious items for use in the Church. They do not simply fold their hands morning and night in prayers, waiting for heaven to provide their material needs.  

As we run from one prayer ministry or adoration centre to another, let us not forget to make personal efforts in our businesses or to set up one, or to acquire a skill; let us not neglect the works of our hands, because grace builds on nature.

May your Wednesday be fruitful. Amen

Fr Isaac Chima

 Tuesday of 21st Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: About the coming of Jesus Christ and prophecies, let no one deceive you in any way

Reading: 2 Thess. 2:1-3a.14-17

From all indications, we are living in the era of the flux of prophecies regarding the end-time from countless number of self-proclaimed prophets and men/women of God from all corners of the world, each vying for attention and followership from unsuspecting people, and spreading unnecessary fear. We all know what transpired on the eve of the year 2000.

Some of these prophets, as seen in many nations in recent times, ride on the back of the economic hardships people are passing through to deceive people through staged miracles, prophecies of material prosperity, breakthroughs or dooms and, sometimes, claims of be the Messiah.

In the midst of the ever-increasing number of self-acclaimed prophets in our world and the flux of prophecies predicting the end-time, material prosperity and/or doom, St Paul reminds us, as he did to the Thessalonians in today’s first reading, not to allow ourselves to be deceived by anyone. He advised that we should rather hold firm to the teachings and the traditions given to us through the apostles, because the hour of the second coming of Jesus has not been made known to anyone. At the centre of the teachings and tradition given by the apostles is the call to love God and neighbour.

One of the risks of running to places for prophecies is giving the glory and worship that belongs to God to a devil, because the devil is the master of deception. Prophecies and healings are not the only manifestations of the Spirit of God; we have also seen that the devil performs miracles and predicts the future. In fact, the experience of St Paul in Philippi (Acts 16:16-18) proved that the devil also bestows the gift of seeing the future upon his followers. That was why John (1Jn. 4:1-) demanded that all spirits should be tested before they are believed.

Dear friends, be on your guard. Don’t allow anyone to deceive you, and don’t permit anyone to lead you into giving the devil the glory and worship that belong to God almighty.

May God guide your steps as you go out and come in this Tuesday. Amen

Fr Isaac Chima

 Monday of 21^st Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: Don’t make life difficult for others

Reading: Mt 23:13-22

Among the main motivations behind scientific and technological advancement is the desire to make things easier and better for human beings. Science and technology provide us with easier and more effective ways to solve big problems in every aspect of life on a daily basis.

Human beings are also supposed to adopt the same initiative of helping to make things easier and better in their affairs with others in all aspects of life. Even though we are aware that nothing good comes easily, it will be inhuman if people deliberately make things difficult for others.

At the core of the woes Jesus pronounced on the religious leaders of his time in today’s gospel was their attitude of making religious life difficult for their fellow adherents of Jewish religion by overburdening them with unnecessary man-made laws and regulations as the essence of Judaism. Worst still, those laws were not being totally observed by the Pharisees and Scribes who forced them on others. Jesus challenged them to take the burden off the people, so that religious life will not be a burden, but a relationship between a loving Father and His children.

Jesus’ challenge is addressed to people of all walks of life: religious, political and community leaders, lecturers, managers of companies, superiors of institutions, family leaders, etc. It is a warning to everyone at the top to stop making life intolerable for those placed under them.

Making life easier and better for people doesn’t imply helping people to jump over the essentials or compromising standards and principles, but helping people to grasp the essentials without having to die in the process or regretting ever venturing into it.

Peace be with you. May God give you the grace to handle the challenges of this Week.

Fr Isaac Chima.

 21^st SUNDAY, YEAR B: FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY THE BREAD OF LIFE”

INTRODUCTION:

For the past four weeks, Jesus has been teaching and offering us the gift of the Eucharist, the bread of life and the sacrament of his own body and blood for the life of the world. Now is the time for us to make our decision or choice; to accept His offer or just walk away as many did during the time of Jesus. Peter and the other apostles made their choice known today, they accepted and stood by Jesus’ offer of the bread of life, believing and trusting in his words and promises. The logic is simple; choose Jesus and choose the Eucharist he offers; walk away from the Eucharist and walk away from Jesus! The choice is yours!

 

THE FIRST READING (JOSHUA 24: 1 – 2. 15 – 18)

In the first reading, Joshua called the assembly of the people of Israel to come open and clean with their own choices: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” Choose whom you will follow; choose whom you will accept his offers, his food and his drink. Joshua and the assembly of Israel openly chose God because they knew with Him comes deliverance from their bondage, protection and preservation on their journeys. When we choose to serve, follow and commune with God in the Eucharist, our deliverance from bondage and from mortal, moral, and spiritual dangers is also ensured.

 

THE SECOND READING (EPH. 5: 21 – 32)

In the second reading, St. Paul also presented us with another moment of choice and decision making between husband and wife. Husbands must make the tough choice of really loving their wives; and wives must make the hard choice of total submission to their husbands. These choices must be open, sincere, and practically never in doubt. Joshua had to clear his doubts about the choice of the people of Israel between God and idols. St. Paul also wanted the same clarity in the love and respect between every husband and wife. Couples’ mutual love and respect must never be in doubt or hard to tell before the people, just as the love of Christ for his Church was never in doubt.

 

THE GOSPEL READING (JN. 6: 60 – 69)

In the gospel reading, while many drew back and walked away from Jesus’ offer of the Eucharist, Jesus like Joshua also wanted his disciples to come out straight about their own choice/decision. He asked them; “will you also go away?” Will you also walk away from my Eucharistic offer? Will you also walk away from my Holy Communion? Peter stood up and cleared every doubt; “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed..,”

 

CONCLUSION:

Every Catholic has a daily choice and decision to make about the Holy Eucharist. Choose the Eucharist, and you choose Jesus. Choose the Eucharist, and you choose eternal life. Choose the Eucharist, and you choose true family (husband and wife) communion. Choose the Eucharist, and you choose to serve God. Your choice today must be very clear before God and man and never in doubt. Therefore, we must make our choices clear by preparing daily, weekly and monthly to participate and partake in the Eucharistic celebration and Holy Communion with all the faithful.

 

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin

 21^st Sunday, Year B: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Choosing to follow Christ: Our Fundamental Option

Readings: Jos 24:1-2a,15-17,18b; Eph. 5:21-32; Jn. 6:60-69

Dear friends in the Lord, on this twenty-first Sunday, the Church challenges and encourages us to choose serving God both in good times and in bad times. She instructs us to stand with Christ even when doing so becomes the most difficult option to be taken. Most times, when we come to the crossroads of our life, confusion sets in as to which way to go. Each day and each life situation present us with opportunities to make a fundamental decision/option – the type of decision or option that will change or shape the entire course of our life and our future.

In today’s first reading, the Israelites were no longer a nomadic people, they had settled in the Promised Land; they had become a nation.  So, Joshua took them to the land of Shechem, the place where God made a covenant with Abram (Gen. 12:6). And there, he challenged them to make a fundamental choice or option for themselves and their generations, either to worship God or the gods of the other nations.

Let us remember the Israelites already chose to serve God while they were wondering in the desert. However, in this first reading, Joshua took that choice for granted, because it appeared to be a choice which the people made when they needed God’s help to survive in the desert. Actually, Joshua wanted to know if their choice to serve God would remain same when they had received all they needed for survival as a nation.

Most times, some people stay close to God only when they need His intervention in their lives, when they need healing and other helps from Him. But often, in the midst of riches, good health and other answered prayers, these people tend to forget God. Many of them tend to think only of parties, works and engagements; they put God aside in toto. In today’s first reading, the people of Israel chose to serve the living God both in their riches and in their poverty. The church experts us to make the same choice in our relationship with God. Let us choose God in all situations of life.

As a leader, Joshua led by example. He was the first to make the choice for God in this first reading. Thus, leaders among us (in the church, our families and our societies) should make choices that will influence other people positively. It is their responsibility to show their people the way to God. It is good to understand that Joshua led the people to make a choice to serve God in order to ensure that the people of Israel, handed over to Him by Moses, remained united under one God. This is another challenge to all leaders and parents. We must ensure that the people placed under our care (our families and friends) are always led to the best choices in life, especially in choosing to serve God.

In the Gospel reading of today, after Jesus had told the crowd that He is the bread of life, many of His followers were disappointed. What they heard from Him was not what they expected. That teaching was too difficult for them to accept; in fact, it was complicating what they already believed about life. It was entirely unacceptable for them. For this reason, they chose to abandon Him.

Jesus, then, turned to his disciples and put to them a question: “what about you, do you want to go away too?” His question was like telling them: if you are not convinced with my teaching, you can go away too. It is almost the same question that Joshua posed to the people of Israel in the first reading.

Dear friends, sometimes, many people come to Christ with fixed expectations and just to hear what they wish to hear. Some others come to seek for a safe haven for the type of life they have chosen to live. Some others also come to ask the Church to change the teachings of Christ, so that the style of life they have chosen to live will find approval in the church. These are some of the greatest challenges of the Church in our own time.

But today’s gospel reading is telling us that the teachings of Christ must not agree with the way we have chosen to live our lives or what the society has chosen as a standard of morality. Often, the teachings of Christ challenge us to make a change in our lives. Sometimes, Christ’s words challenge the moral standard of the society. Some other times, the gospel truth comes in contrast with the decisions we have made or the ones our families and friends have made for us. At such times, what do you do? When the teaching of Christ contradicts your choices or decisions, do you put Christ away and maintain your own choices? Or do you choose to follow Christ’s? How many times have we abandoned God and his Church, especially at difficult moments in life? How many times have we chosen to say no to Christ in those His teachings that contradict what our society has accepted as expressions of human right?

In today’s Gospel reading, the disciples chose to follow Christ even when they knew that such a choice would bring them persecution and death. Dear friends, there are inevitable moments in life when the authenticity of our faith and fidelity to God must be tested by the fire of afflictions (1 Pt 1:7). That time, only the true disciples will stand with Christ to say: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the word of eternal life. You are the Holy One of God.” Let us pray to be among those who will stand for Christ in good times and in bad times.

Peace be with you. Happy Sunday

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

PUSC, Roma

 21^ST SUNDAY, YEAR B: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: WILL YOU ALSO GO AWAY?

(John 6:60-69)

God created us in freedom and allows us to freely decide whether to follow Him or not. The same freedom He gave to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is the freedom He gives to the disciples in the wilderness today. He continues to give us this freedom now and again to choose Him above all things. But most of the time, like Adam and Eve, we choose to follow the wrong voice because of greed, hunger for mundane glories, and selfish aggrandizements.

Human beings can be selfish. They come to get satisfied. They usually think of their immediate gain. Most of the time, they don't think of what the other sacrifices are, what the giver feels, and how to satisfy the one who offers. They are ready to take a leave when the going seem tough.

Jesus, after feeding the five thousand, started teaching about Himself as the bread of life. He took away their attention from the material to the spiritual. They changed their mind and stopped following. Only a few remained. These few are the only ones left with Jesus. He inquires to know how determined they are to stay on with Him.

 

HAS JESUS FAILED?

Imagine Jesus watching the great multitude who hailed Him move away from Him. They were singing and shouting after the multiplication of loaves like we do today to our politicians: ' Jesus ka anyi ga eso ma o na eje eje ma o na ala ala Jesus ka anyi ga eso'. Indeed, they wanted to make Jesus a political Messiah, but He refused. He is the Christ. Time must come when we should watch what does not give glory to God in our lives and allow them to go away, when we must let go of some persons, powers, influences and forces that are ungodly. At this time, we may feel that we have failed. We might feel that we have wasted our time. We might think that we have lost our popularity and glory. But from Jesus, we must learn to allow such moments to take their course. The scribes and Pharisees might have thought that Jesus had failed like other historical persons that came claiming to be the Messiah.

Jesus saw Himself alone with just a few. It was indeed a decisive moment. It was a time to know those with Him and those against Him. It was a time to really know those upon whom the Eucharistic faith would be instituted. It was not a failed venture. He has known the real faithful.

Jesus watches those who go away, and He addresses you personally . He needs nothing but a sincere answer born out of deep conviction.

The Church of today must not allow those who are not serious with the teachings of Christ to dictate what happens in the Church. Let their whys not make us compromise on what we believe, on the tradition that has been handed down to us from ages past by the Lord and His real followers. Let us not allow them to deceive us.

 

WOULD YOU WANT TO GO?

What is really holding you? If you are given the opportunity, will you go or stay? Do you have any personal reasons that will make you stay on with Christ? Have you had any personal Eucharistic experience? When you walk away, where do you move to?

Many have moved away from confession, many have moved away from communion, and others have stopped receiving it in the state of grace. Many have given up on prayers. Some persons have stopped going to Church. They prefer clubs, parties, the socials, etc. They make other things priority in their lives. Jesus watches in silence. He watches in surprise. He looks in wonder. Where do they think they are going to? Can they really live without me?

Jesus asks us the question because He trusts us. Even if others should go, He expects us not to go. He wants to know what is drawing us away from Him. He wants us to see Him and feel His longing to be with us. Will you also leave me?

Will you, priests also leave? Will you, Christian father, equally leave? Christian mother, are you leaving too? Young man, are you leaving me? Beautiful girl, where are you heading to? Will your life be better or bitter without me? It will certainly not be better.

Hear the voice of Christ asking you these questions in your various attempts to leave His Holy Side. Let's remain at His side to draw the life that flows therefrom.

 

TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?

In response to the question of our Lord today, the remaining disciples standing with Him professed: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."

This is what the Lord expects from us. This is the solution to our problem of faith and confusion in the world. Till we stop going away from God, until we hold unto the Lord as the Only Director, Teacher, Inspirer and Leader we will keep wallowing in mistakes and wandering without purpose. Let us all go to the Lord, to taste and see how good He is even after being failed by the world.

LET US PRAY

We come to You Lord, we have no one to run to, save us from despair. Deliver us from the tempting forces drawing us away from you. We wish to remain faithful to You, adoring You, especially in the Holy Eucharist. Bring us back by Your word when we derail through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday (21st Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

 Friday of 20^th Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: O dry bones, hear the word of God and you will rise again

Reading: Ez. 37:1-14

At a time when the people of Israel exiled in Babylon thought that the hope of making it out alive from the land of slavery was totally lost, that the dream of returning to their normal life in their home land had become unrealistic, that their time of witnessing the goodness of God was over, and that they were as hopeless and helpless as dry bones lying in the deep valley of death, God gave the prophet Ezekiel a vision assuring him that even dry bones can still rise again and fulfil their dreams that were denied, for nothing is impossible before our God.

It was remarkable what God told Ezekiel to tell the dry bones so they could rise again. He instructed him to prophesy to them and command them to hear the word of the Lord (37:4), and when they heard it, they were restored to life.

The word of God renews and restores lost glories; it is active and alive among those who hear and welcome it. Everywhere and every time it is proclaimed and accepted, something new happens; it breaks the bonds of the underworld, lifts people from slavery to freedom, from grass to grace, from sickness to health, from poverty to greatness, from depression to cheerfulness, and from death to life.

Dear friends, allow the Word of God to speak to your dry bones today and you will rise again. Allow this word to speak to your deficiencies and purify you, and you will be whole again. Allow all aspects of your life to hear the voice of God and your hopelessness will disappear. All dry bones that hear the word of God will rise again and glorify the Lord, just as it happened in Ezekiel’s time.

May your Friday be a testimony of the goodness of God. Amen

Fr Isaac C. Chima

 Thursday of 20^th Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: Never make light of God’s invitation

Reading: Mt 22:1-14

Dearest brothers and sisters, the parable of today's gospel reading has two important lessons for us.

First, it tells us never to take God's invitation for granted. In this parable, the host of the banquet ordered his guards to apprehend and deal with the first group of guests he invited because took his invitation for granted. Let us say they ignored him. While some of them went to their farms and other businesses, others attacked the messengers of the host for disturbing their peace.

The actions of the first people that were invited to the banquet are similar to the attitudes of many people of our time to the good news and its bearers. In our world, many people are too busy for the things of God and the message of salvation, they think that going to church is a waste of the time that could be invested in their businesses or other activities. Some people go to the extent of verbally or physically assaulting those who preach the good news to them. Jesus reminds us that anything that causes us to reject the good news will lead us to destruction.

Second, this parable tells us that once we accept God's invitation, we should not remain the same as we were before the invitation, rather we should make a change, allowing the teachings and life of Jesus to transform us. In this parable, a man among the people who accepted the invitation was seen in the banquet hall without a wedding garment, and he was cast out. Perhaps, while others were collecting the wedding garment at the entrance, as it was done, the man opted to remain the way he was, or he accused those who asked him to change his old clothes of judging him.

One of the evil winds blowing in our churches these days is the idea of people preferring to follow Jesus according to their own style rather than according to the teachings of Jesus, believing that Jesus will love them the way they are. But the truth is that God, who invites us to come to him the way we are, does not want us to remain that way in His presence. Rather, He wants us to transform our lives according to His teachings and the grace following from His presence; He wants us to throw away our dirty and old garment of sin and, then, put on a new garment of holiness. Let no one deceive you to believe that those who advise you to change are judging you.

May your Thursday be filled with God's blessings. Amen.

Fr Isaac C. Chima

 Wednesday of 20^th Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: Woe to the leaders who feed on the people

Reading: Ez. 34:1-11

Given that the Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria claims to be acting in the best interests of the people, one would have assumed that the #EndBadGovernance protests by Nigerian youths, which shut down the nation for more than eight days and demanded that the government should end the string of hardships orchestrated by bad economic policies that resulted in high cost of goods and widespread hunger, would have impacted on further decisions and plans by the FG, at least to bring an end to their insensitivity and extravagant spending. But that never happened.

Barely ten days after the end of the #EndBadGovernance protests, the FG unveiled a multimillion-dollar new aircraft purchased for the office of the president that already has some jets that are less than 19 years. This was in spite of the cries of about 99% of Nigerians that the FG should not buy new presidential jets due to the hardship in the country. As if that weren’t enough, a startling discovery last week revealed that each of the 109 senators of Nigeria go home with a huge salary of 21 million naira (about 13,000 dollars) a month, in a country where the federal government only agreed to set the monthly minimum wage of workers at 70,000 Naira (about 45 dollars).

The level of insensitivity to the plight of the poor people of Nigeria and corruption by their leaders are similar to the circumstances that led prophet Ezekiel to denounce the leaders of the people of his time in the first reading of today. He accused them of feeding on the poor people instead of feeding them and taking care of them, and he warned them that their days had been numbered.

Leaders of our dear Nigeria should also realize that their days have been numbered because the cries of the people have reached the ears of their God. As has always been the case, there will be no rest for the wicked.

May God continue to fight our battles. Amen

Fr Isaac Chima

Tuesday of 20^th Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: Nothing is impossible for God

Reading: Mt 19:23-30

One of the reasons why the young man in today’s gospel episode, which we started reading from yesterday, walked away from Jesus upon hearing Jesus’ directive that he should sell all he possessed and come and follow Him was because the young man believed that selling everything and giving the proceeds away in order to follow Jesus was an uninsured risk. His thoughts had convinced him that his life depended on his material possessions, and that he would not survive without them.

Dear friends, we frequently hear a voice telling us that if we let go of those things that cause us to turn away from Jesus, it will not be possible for us to survive on earth. This voice tells us that even though certain things in our lives go against the teachings of Jesus, that they are actually the only reason why we have food on our tables and can take care of our needs. Therefore, we often feel that separating from those things for the sake of Jesus would amount to condemning ourselves to endless suffering and practically making it impossible for us to survive the harsh economic situations of the world. These things could be material possessions, friends, jobs, positions, reputations, quests or lifestyle.

Although, in the eyes of men, it would be practically impossible for us to survive if we were to cut ourselves off from whatever feeds us but pulls us away from Jesus, such impossibility does not exist in the eyes of God. All those who courageously separate themselves from whatever is capable of stopping them (sinful sources of wealth and joy) from being true followers of Jesus God will not be disappointed by God. Rather, He will make possible what people believe to be impossible

The assurance that those who had separated themselves from certain things for the sake of Jesus will not be abandoned by God was expressed in today’s gospel. Peter’s response to Jesus was full of fear that those who had left everything and followed Jesus had lost everything. But Jesus assured him and the other disciples that all who have separated themselves from certain things for His sake, God will fulfil their dreams.

Dear friends, it is only the absence of Jesus in our lives that will make it impossible for us to survive in this harsh world; for cut off from Him, we can do nothing.

May your Tuesday be richly blessed. Amen

Fr Isaac C. Chima.

 Monday of 20^th Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: Don’t turn away from Jesus because of material things

Reading: Mt 19:16-22

The young man in today's gospel reading approached Jesus and asked what more he needed to do in order to receive eternal life, since he believed he had observed all of God's commandments. "Go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me," Jesus told him. Upon hearing Jesus’ response, the young man turned away from Jesus.

From the young man’s reaction to what Jesus asked him to do, we can say that he loved his material possessions more than he loved people and the kingdom of God. For the sake of what he possessed, he gave up his dream of eternal life.

Dear friends, is there anything you possess or desire for which you can give up eternal life in heaven? Many will respond with a capital “NO.” However, if we approach the question from a different perspective, it might enable us to examine our hearts and lives more thoroughly. Are there any material goods you would want to retain or possess, a certain of money, job or position you would want to secure, or a person or reputation you would want to keep even if it meant turning your back on the teaching of Christ?

It is evident that many of us would temporarily or even permanently turn away from God in order to enjoy certain habits, retain some material goods, jobs, people, reputations, and positions, or to acquire some goods or secure some positions. But Jesus is calling us to realize that we are not yet His true followers if our quest for or attachment to material things can lead us to turn away from Him.

Furthermore, this gospel reading reminds us that even if we observe all the commandments of God, attend all adorations in this world, follow all prayer meetings, attend all crusades and still fall short in the practice of generosity to our fellow human beings, we are lacking something enormous in our relationship with God, and may not make it to the kingdom of heaven on the last day.

May God give us a generous heart and the strength to detach ourselves from anything or anyone that will make us to turn away from Jesus. Amen

Have a blessed new week.

Fr Isaac C. Chima

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

THEME: “THE BREAD FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO STAY ALIVE”

INTRODUCTION:

In Piers Paul work; “Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors”, he narrated a very touching real life story. On October 12, 1972, Uruguayan rugby players were on an airplane to Chile for a tournament, but their plane crashed on the snow-capped Andes Mountains. Out of the forty passengers, only a handful survived. Lost in the snowy Andes Mountains for two months, when all food supplies were exhausted, the weaker players who sensed that their death was near, begged their other companions to eat their flesh after they were dead. Surviving on the flesh of their friends, the few whom remained alive, tearfully narrated this story of how their friends wanted them to survive by consuming their flesh.

This is the fourth Sunday in a row that Jesus continued to teach about the value of the Eucharist; His own, Flesh and Blood, given for those who want to stay alive. Unlike the heroes of Andes who offered their flesh for the life of their friends at death, Jesus offered us his own flesh while He was still very much alive. Christ’s own Body and Blood gives life, saves life, and extends our life to eternal life. He has given us His own Flesh and Blood for our survival in a lasting and permanent way in the Holy Eucharist.

 

THE FIRST READING (PROV. 9: 1 – 6)

In the first reading, we can deduce that Jesus is that Wisdom of God calling and inviting us his friends to come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. He has set up for us the seven pillars of the sacraments which the Eucharist is the center table that holds the other sacraments in a balance. It is only one who truly loves you will invites you to a special dinner like the Eucharist the food of Angels.

 

THE SECOND READING (EPH. 5: 15 – 20)

In the second reading, St. Paul admonished us not to be unwise or foolish or get drunk with wine; that is not the essence of the Eucharist nor the will of God. The Eucharist is a holy meal, taking while giving thanks, singing psalms and spiritual songs to the Lord with all our hearts. This is why the Eucharist has also been described as a special prayer and thanksgiving to God. When we gather to offer it, everyone who is wise and knows God’s will, must join their voices and hearts in the Eucharistic songs and thanksgiving to God.

 

THE GOSPEL READING (JN. 6: 51 – 58)

All through the gospel reading, Jesus associated the bread that He will give with life; not just earthly life, but eternal life. Whoever eats the flesh of the son of man and drinks his blood has eternal life; says Jesus. Simply put, the Eucharist is for those who want stay eternally alive; that is, those who want to have life abundantly here and here after.

 

CONCLUSION

Brethren, Jesus continues to invite us to the table of the Eucharist where he has offered us his Flesh and Blood as a lifesaving and life giving bread. More than the flesh and blood of the dead teammates in our introductory story offered over a short period of time to save (keep alive) a handful of friends, and offered only as a last resort; Jesus rather offered his own Flesh and Blood as our first, present and continuous/long term lifesaving/life giving bread for many. Pope Pius X in his decree ‘Sacra Tridentina Synodus’ of 20th December, 1905, on frequent and daily reception of Holy Communion, exhorts us that; “Frequent communion is the shortest way to secure the salvation of every individual man as well as that of society.” Frequent communion should be open to all the faithful. The Eucharist is not just offered to keep alive a handful of friends over a short time, but offered to keep alive the whole company of believers in Christ Jesus all through their life time and into eternity.

 

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin