Fresh Dew Media

 14^TH SUNDAY, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: THE BEST REASON/WAYS TO REJOICE

(Luke 10:1-12.17-20)

In a world where people eat their cake and expect to have it, Jesus tells us the secret to joy. In a society where no one wants to take instructions, Jesus instructs us to heed in order to rejoice. In a world where peace is seen as outdated, Jesus gives the mandate to preach peace. In a society where fulfilment is no longer the issue but monetary achievement, God tells us to go beyond the here and now, but use our momentary joy to visualise what the eternal joy is like.

 

INSIGHT FROM THE GOSPEL

 

YOU'RE APPOINTED

To whom much is given much is expected. Yes, Jesus, in the appointment of the 70 disciples, announced that the harvest is indeed plentiful but the labourers few. For sure, well-meaning workers are few. In that your own area there are a lot of soils to cultivate. With that of your talent, there are a lot of achievements. "Onye a na- akpo nwere ihe O na eme." The Lord is not appointing you to disappoint Him. The Lord Jesus calls us in various capacities. He appoints us for a mission. He appoints to send us. He sends us as His ambassadors. He sends us to represent the values He has deposited in us wherever life catapults us to. Do you have a missionary spirit? Do you feel humbled by the fact that among all your peers, you're chosen for a specific task? Do you see your call in whatever sector as an opportunity to be responsible? How responsible are you as a father, mother, student, public, or private worker? Is there any remarkable positive difference between you as a Christian performing your tasks? Appointed as a governor, do you allow your Christian values to influence your policies? As a Christian police officer, what do you do to stand out from corruption? Just name your profession and attach the question about how far you have seen yourself as an appointed representative of God.

 

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS

'Nti wu nka' is a popular Igbo adage, meaning that listening is a sure way to living long. In this context, it involves being obedient to instructions. To succeed in life, certain ordinances must have to be followed. Following instructions demands discipline.  A disciple is ready to learn. He is open to take in the good ideas that will lead him to actualise his life goal. Jesus today tells his disciples the "dos" and "don'ts" of the call He has given to them. To be happy, we must do the right things, follow the right directions, and shun the wrong ones. We must avoid those on our way who are enemies of our joy in the Lord. Our joy and salvation come undoubtedly from how we are able to be on the right track without being distracted.

 

ACCEPT PEACE AND GIVE PEACE

A life without peace is a disaster. In His word to the 70, Jesus made them understand the central message they are to carry to the world, namely, peace. Our world has failed in this great mission because we have all around us men who use their opportunities to create walls of hatred.  We have leaders who do not care about coexistence. We have citizens who see the language of peace as weakness. Jesus tells us today that if we go with this message into the world, the wars boiling because of the walls created would be demolished. But whereby people fail to hear it, let's not forget in our wisdom as the lambs in the midst of wolves to be awake and alert in self-defence.

 

REJOICE FOR YOUR NAME IS WRITTEN IN HEAVEN

God doesn't give a political appointment without an appointment letter. He has written your name in the book of life except if in your carelessness you choose to remove your name.  There's no anonymity before God. He knows you by name and has appointed you with that name. Jesus is of the position that it is a great cause for joy that our names are written in heaven. Are you living out here on earth what the heavens have written concerning you? Or have you decided to play the character and role of another? Thereby misrepresenting God.

At their return from the missions, the 70 were happy for the paraphernalia associated with their mission instead of the fact that they followed the instructions of their master and that it has been recorded for eternity in their honour. What are the things that give you joy? Are they really worth it? Do you also think of the joy of the Lord? The joy of the Lord should be your strength. St Paul would say: rejoice in the Lord, I repeat, rejoice. Let nothing steal your joy.

May God bless His word in your hearts.

BLESSINGS

 May you never toil in vain. May you follow faithfully along the path of your call and find peace in Christ. May you find fulfilment in your marriage, in your ministry, in your work, in your relationship, in your family, in everything you do. May you find good and a thousand reasons to rejoice all the days of your life and find peace in Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen

Happy Sunday to you (the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh