14^TH SUNDAY, YEAR B: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “TAKE NO OFFENCE AGAINST YOUR PROPHET”

INTRODUCTION:

Today, the gospel reading talked about the rejection of Jesus Christ by his own kinsmen for no just cause. This is by extension the plight of many other priests, prophets and men of God sent around the world for the purpose of speaking God’s will to the people in order to bring about spiritual, moral, and physical healing to our world. We are wrong to take offence against them and reject them or their good news purely sentimental grounds. We should accept the truth they tell us in God’s name for our own good.

 

THE FIRST READING (EZ. 2: 2 – 5)

In the first reading, God bemoaned against Israel’s impudence, stubbornness and rebellion against Him and against the prophets he sent them. It was really a negative score/remark and divine accusation against Israel. Come to think of it; if God should stand in accusation against us for rebelling against Him, against his words and against the words of his prophets, then who can acquit us?

 

THE SECOND READING (2 COR. 12: 7 – 10)

In the Second reading, St. Paul indirectly teaches us that the works of a prophet is basically wrought by the special grace of God and not by his (the prophet) own strengths. Even in his weaknesses, the power of God rests upon him and his grace is enough for him. That is why insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities cannot stop the prophet (like St. Paul) from working or doing the bidding of God. Therefore, never you be the one to stop God’s prophet from fulfilling his calling.

 

THE GOSPEL READING (MK. 6: 1 – 6)

In the gospel reading, Jesus the highest prophet entered his home town to do the work of a prophet; to heal them with the Word of God and teach them the way of salvation. With all his wisdom, gracious words and mighty miracles, they still took offence at him over flimsy sentiments; “is he not carpenter’s son”; “is he not one of us!” In order to listen to our prophets and benefit more from their teachings, graces and blessings, we must put certain sentiments aside. Sentiments about where they come from, sentiments about their colour or race, sentiments about their social status/background, sentiments about their size or height, and even sentiments about their human short comings or weaknesses.

 

CONCLUSION:

In 1960, a religious persecution broke out in Sudan. A Christian black student Paride Taban fled to Uganda where he studied and became a priest. When things settled in Sudan, young Fr. Taban returned to his homeland and was assigned to a parish in Palotaka. But his African congregation found it very difficult to believe that he was really a priest, for they had never had a black priest before. They had always had white priests who brought them clothing and medicine. Unfortunately, young Fr. Taban who was from the Madi tribe was poor like them and had nothing (materials) to share/give to them. To worsen the whole matter, Fr. Taban was to introduce them to the changes/reforms of the Second Vatican Council. The people revolted that this young black man has turn the altar around and celebrates the Mass in our own language. He cannot be a real priest. It took a very long time for the people of Palotaka to finally accept Fr. Taban.

Let no worldly sentiments make you take offence against your prophet and reject his words and teachings which are for our temporal good and eternal salvation!

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin

 14^th Sunday, Year B: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Overcoming the challenges of our prophetic mission

Readings: Ez. 2:2-5; 2Cor 12:7-10; Mk 6: 1-6

Dear friends in Christ, on the day of our baptism, we were anointed with Chrism, made priests and prophets, and commissioned to preach the good news with words and actions, to bear witness to Christ, to correct errors in the world, admonish wrongdoers, fight evil in the world and contribute to the building of God’s kingdom on earth.

On this fourteenth Sunday, the Church reminds us that this mission that God has given us can bring us great discomfort arising from insults, resistance, and discouragement from the world; it is a mission full of challenges. Hence, she teaches us how overcome these challenges when they arise.

In the first reading, we saw prophet Ezekiel who was commissioned the same way we were. God was sending him to the Israelites to preach the good news to them and to correct them in their errors. But God warned him about the attitude of the people he was about to encounter. He told him that they were hardhearted, rebellious, imprudent and stubborn. However, God instructed him not to be discouraged by the negative reactions he will receive from the people who will hear his voice.

Dear friends in Christ, the people of our time have also become rebellious and stubborn to the good news of Christ. Many people no longer want to hear the name of God, they want to try the name of the devil instead. In today’s society, many people do not want to hear faith-based or religion-inspired corrections, moral lessons, teachings and admonitions again. Most times, when you tell some people that their ways of life and ideologies contradict the commandments of God and the teachings of Christ, they either laugh at you or warn you to keep your faith private. Many people in our world do not want to be corrected in their wrongs again, they see every correction as judgement and condemnation, and would rather prefer to be left alone to live their lives the way they like. These negative attitudes have caused many people to prefer to remain silent when things are going wrong around them; many people no longer care to correct others for fear of negative reactions.

But then, dear friends, the Church reminds us that God has sent us to our people, just as he sent Ezekiel to Israel, to be the voice that cries out against injustice, oppression, immorality, corruption, ungodliness and all manner of wrongdoings in our families, in the lives of our friends and children, in our communities, and places of work. Whether the people adhere to our message or not, one day, they will realize that someone spoke to them. Therefore, we should not be afraid or discouraged in our mission to correct wrongdoings.  

In today’s gospel reading, we witnessed another type of obstacle that messengers of the good news face. Instead of accepting the good news of Jesus, which was full of wisdom and truth, his countrymen chose to focus on his family background and the validity of his authority.

Dear friends, most times, some people do not listen to our admonitions because they feel they are richer than us, highly placed in the society than us, superior in academics than us, or more exposed in the world than us, even when they know that our admonitions are full of wisdom and truth. When Jesus was confronted by indifference and resistance from his people, he was not discouraged; instead, he continued to preach and heal the people. We should also to the same.

The second reading showed us that apart from external obstacles or challenges, all of us who preach the good news also face internal crisis or problems; we battle every day to overcome anything in us that goes against the good news we preach. We also battle against many natural, economic and health problems. St Paul said his own problem was like a torn in his flesh, which harassed him and kept him from boosting. So, it possible that our personal problems serve to checkmate us, to help us realize that the mission we carry is God’s, and not ours.

In the midst of Paul’s problems and challenges, God provided him with abundant grace and assured him that His grace is sufficient for him. So, St Paul is teaching us that the grace of God will always be sufficient for those who carry out the prophetic mission given to them. Hence, we should not be discouraged by weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities that come to us when we are proclaiming the good news and when we admonish others.

Peace be with you.

Fr Isaac Chima

  

 14^th SUNDAY, YEAR B: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: SURPRISE YOUR WORLD; OVERCOME THE 'SEE FINISH' SYNDROME

(Mark 6:1-6)

'See finish' trends as a slogan or slang that depicts a condition whereby everything about an individual is known. One who has been 'seen finish' has nothing to pride about. He's got nothing more to offer. He has given out all in him or her. He has so exposed himself that his respect has gone forever. He has been sized and kept aside. He is relegated to the background. His own is finished. He can't make it again. He has reached his zenith. He has reached his diminishing returns. The Igbo people say: "Añugbuo ngwo akpo ya okpokoro" (The tapped palm tree is nothing but an empty wood). The 'seen finish' has no sweetness again. Another Igbo proverb says: "Ahushie ọgọ ahụọrọ ya ji" (Familiarity breeds contempt). Onye iberibe amaghi na nwanne ya bu ọbia (You may take what you have for granted without knowing its worth), Onye na amaghi mmadu na akpo ya onye a (You may be with someone without really knowing what is in him).

 

JESUS: NEVER FINISHED TILL GOD SAID IT IS FINISHED

We saw the above illustrations manifest in the Gospel of today. Jesus was 'seen finish'. He was sized. No one believed he could have anything to offer. His society has looked down on Him because of His background. For that, they kept Him on the ground, never to rise again. He was thrown away. He was buried. But He converted this situation to their amazement. Jesus converted His buried state to a planted state. He was buried to decay, but He germinated without delay. He was thrown away to waste away, but He bloomed anyway.  What was His secret? He knew He was unstoppable.

He started his mission. He began to teach. He gathered a good number of followers who marvelled at His wisdom. Hence the question: Where did this man get all these? 

 

NEVER MIND WHAT THE PEOPLE SEE

The people, your environment, your world, your society, your community, and your family may have seen you as a failure. Surprise them, child of God. God sees you as a positive package.  Manifest in spite of them. They think they have seen it all. They have not seen anything. The beautiful you are yet to be born. You've got many beautiful things to do in the world. You should help midwife these potentials. You have a mission. Move with a sense of purpose and a visionary spirit. The better 'you' coming out will shock those who mock and inspire those who admire. Don't give up swimming against the discouraging currents. Don't give up because of the corrupt system of the country. Don't be weighed down by bad government.

Don't be lazy. Don't wallow in self-pity. Don't cry, but try harder.

 

DO YOUR HOME WORK WELL

Jesus allowed the lookers to look on. The more they looked, the less they saw. He took His time working on Himself. That was why His coming out became a shock to the crowd. Entertaining and listening to the crowd distracts and weakens you. It psychologically makes you believe the wrong painting they give you. Shape yourself by the word of God. Allow God to paint you according to His will. 

Work on your studies, work on your project, work on your apprenticeship, work on your family, work on your marriage, and work on your vocation. You can indeed surprise those who think you are a never-do-well.

Has your boss 'seen you finish'? Surprise him with the new you. Has your wife/husband seen you finish?' Let him/her see the new you that is better than the seen. Have you been called the son of a carpenter? Produce furniture materials that will surprise the world.  Is your family name known for evil? Change the narrative.

You're a narrative changer. You're created by a God who changed narratives. He turned darkness into light. He made a day out from night. He made something from nothing. He made wine from water. He made life from death.

He makes you from what the world sees to be useless. God will surprise those who try to suppress you. You're not a finished product. Even if you have made mistakes in the past, take the right step. Even if your ancestors have failed in the past, change that story for good. You are the only one who can finish yourself. You cannot be finished when God has not said so. Whatever your enemies have seen is just a track, cooperate with God so that the best version of you will manifest to their amazement.

Beloved in Christ, take these wise words home today: 'E lelia nwa Ite, O gbonyuo oku.' (The stone which the builders rejected will surely become the cornerstone)

God may have allowed people to look down on you for long. It is for a reason; they will look up to you. Be the shining star in wisdom, in holiness, in truth, in homemaking, in all good deeds. May no condition make you feel finished when the Lord is actively working in and for you.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your word today. Many of your children are facing societal and family letdown. Let them not be discouraged. Teach us all to learn from You to live above the world's definition about us by holding strong on what you have destined for us. Bless Your word in our hearts now and forever. Amen

Happy Sunday (14th Week, Ordinary Time, Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh