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 26^th Sunday, Year A: Reflection by Fr Julian Ekeh

Theme: Nkwudosike: Living true to promises

Gospel Reading: Matthew 21: 28-32

Jesus in the Gospel of today uses a parable of two sons to address the issue of infidelity of the chief priests and the elders of the people. They are represented by the son who agreed to go and work in the vineyard but did not eventually go whereas the other who refused going later went.

Let us reflect on "living true to promises". We make promises on daily basis to God and to our fellow men. In our Baptism we make decisive promise to God. The post baptismal song reminds us this promise: E kwerem nkwa n'ụbọchi Baptism, na agam efe Chukwu n'elu ụwa, na agam ege nti n'okwu nke nzukọ, na agam ajụ otito nke ajo mmụọ; Nyelụm aka O Maria ka m wee n'eme ihem kwere na nkwa, nyerem aka O Maria, kam wee n' eme ihe m kwere na nkwa.

After the promises what next? In our relationship with God, we are often confronted by "Broken vows and frequent falls". Hence the song with this verse: "M kwechasia gi nkwa, wee nara gi, njọm abiakwa chupu gi n'obim oo, nkwa asi nile a na ewutem karia, gbanweenum, ka m kwudosie ike".

What is it that makes us unable to stand firm on our promise? What can make us successful in keeping our promises? It is "Nkwudosike".

 

Nkwudosike in doing good

Nkwudosike is standing firm, the power to say and mean, and to mean before embarking. It has to do with strong will. It involves consistency in virtue. It means standing strong on one's ground.

Nkwụdosike is best applied to the good. You cannot talk of it via negativa. It will be a negation to talk about nkwudosike in evil. You can't insist on evil. You shouldn't be consistent on evil pedestal. Little wonder why the other son who said no to God later realized himself and said yes. It will be disastrous to disappoint God after saying yes to him. But how often do we do that? What are the good things you've been doing or you have agreed to do? Don't stop doing them. That calls for conviction.

 

Nkwụdosike as conviction

Making a promise and keeping to promises made requires conviction to a greater extent. It is not a thing you rush into: Maka na oke ji ọsọ gbaba n'ọnụ na ejikwa ọsọ agbapụta (A rat that rushed into a hole will surely rush out of it)

Saying 'yes' or 'no' should not be done in a haste. It calls for meditation and contemplation.

 

Our yes and no

Everything we do is punctuated by yes and no. Standing by it matters a lot. Definitely there are occasions that call for yes and others that call for no. You may have agreed to say yes, evaluate that yes of yours. You may have said no still evaluate it whether it is the right answer.

You said yes to God in baptism and in choosing to be a Christian. Are you truly living as one?

Before God and host of witnesses you said yes to your husband/wife. Are you still living on the path of yes? You said yes that you will save lives as a medical doctor, how far with that oath? You promised to serve, protect the right and dignity of the human person in the spirit of rule of law as a politician, how well are you doing that? You promised that young girl marriage, why did you disappoint her? You promised to keep that secret he or she shared with you, why did you divulge it?  You promised to raise those children in the fear of God, what happened along the way? Let us keep to our words.

 

When to say no

Our yes to God should be permanent. But our mistaken yes should be reconsidered. How often have we said yes wrongly?  Have you said yes to go against God's will for you? Have you been paid to kill and you agreed? Can you say no today? Have you been convinced to kill that baby in your womb? Have a rethink and say no to that evil plan. Learn how to say yes to do it right and no to whoever wants you to do it the wrong way.

It pays to be firm along the path of holiness, of obedience, of fidelity and everything good. May God bless us and help us to keep our promises to Him and our neighbours through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Sunday to you (26th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O. Ekeh