23RD SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH
THEME: IN WHOSE NAME ARE YOU GATHERED? IS CHRIST WITH YOU THERE OR AGAINST YOU?
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I choose today to reflect on the last words
of the Gospel reading. Jesus says: For where two or three are gathered in my
name, there I am in the midst of them.
From here we may talk about the idea of a
synagogue and its direct meaning for the Jews which is “assembly” or
“gathering”. Moving ahead we think of the Church as an assembly or gathering of
the people of God, those brought together in the Lord’s name, separated from
others, from the world, from mundane names, from sin, from evil, from the evil
one. Hence the idea of the Church as “Ecclesia” a Latin word derived
from the Greek “Ek- kalein” meaning “to call out of” _ a convocation.
The message of today is a call for
consciousness on the type of attitude we should put up as those gathered in the
name of the Lord. It is a call to bear in mind that though gathered in the name
of God, many are coming from different individual backgrounds that may bring
about misunderstandings, when they arise dialogue and openness which involves
giving a listening ear should be employed.
Meanwhile, the major questions staring us
at the face remain: In whose name are you gathered? Is Christ with you there or
against you in that your gathering?
These questions will help us to visualise our various gatherings from
the divine perspective. Thus, we may objectively tell ourselves as a Church,
society, family and as a person our motives for togetherness and the principles
that guide us.
IN THE LORD’S NAME
There is a joke that is serious I read
somewhere but just can’t get it exactly which says that in Nigeria people begin
their meetings with prayers (in the name of the Father ..., or in Jesus name as
the case may be) they put God away and discuss evil and wickedness in the
meeting, decide and conclude on how to execute evil and then bring God back at
the end of the meeting with a concluding prayer.
It is never an accident that the Church
begins her prayers and everything with the invocation of the Trinity. This is a
way of calling the powers of Heaven to bear witness to whatever we have
gathered for, this is a way of saying: let what we bind or loose here be bound
or loosed in heaven. This is being in agreement with each other. This is paying
attention to the voice and directions of the spirit of God and listening to the
Church.
When gathered in the name of the Lord we
should be still and know that he is the Lord. We should sheath our swords; we
should let God increase and we decrease. We should think more for the good of
others and not for our selfish gains.
When gathered in the name of God, Holy fear
should hold us to think, speak and act. The holiness and sacredness of the Lord
should be revered. Doing things in the name of God involves representing God in
our daily activities. It has to do with standing in for God. When we do these
we keep the third commandment of the Decalogue: Do not call the name of the
Lord your God in vain.
IN WHO’S NAME? WITH OR AGAINST CHRIST?
Drawing our inspiration about gathering,
from the gathering of the people of God that should be characterised by love
and glory of God. We should try to know if Christ is with us or against us in
our various gatherings.
Is the Church still speaking and acting in
the name of Christ. Are the priests still conscious of “in persona Christi
Capitis”? Are they dedicated to the mission of reconciliation they are called
to uphold? Are we still concerned and ready to defend the poor and the
vulnerable? Have we started gathering in the name of money? Has the liturgy
become a mere social gathering? Has the Church been turned into a disco hall?
What brings you to Church? Competition and fashion parade? Be careful so as to
make Christ remain with you. If he turns against you... if you make him frown
at you... don’t forget the whip.
In the political assemblies, has God not
been ostracized? Is God with our politicians who make life unbearable for the
common man? Do you have God in the houses of assembly where embezzlement and
injustice are perpetuated with impunity? Is there any involvement of God when
fuel price is increased and bills are used to marginalise the people?
God is there, watching. He concurs when you
lead with his directives but he will not fail to turn against your evils.
Do you gather and build up your family in
the name of Christ? Are you raising your children with Godly principles? Are
there unholy altars you bow to and dedicate your children to? Do you begin and
end your days with prayers? Do you hand over hatred and unforgiving spirit to
your children?
What do you usually sit together for? You,
I mean you. To discuss people and spoil their good names? To plan the downfall
of others?
Let us put our togetherness and gatherings
into good use. Let everything we do be in the name of the Lord that the name of
God may be blessed both now and forever. Amen
HAPPY SUNDAY (23rd Sunday, Ordinary
Time, Yr A)
REV. FR. JULIAN O EKEH
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