22^nd Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

CHRISTIAN LIFE: A CALL TO SWIM AGAINST THE CURRENT OF EVIL     

Readings: Jer 20:7–9; Ps 63; Rom 12:1–2; Mt 16:21–27

Dearest friends, the readings of this Sunday remind us that Christians are called to live in a way that is different from non‑believers. The Christian life demands honesty, generosity, readiness to obey God, and willingness to suffer for the sake of Christ—even when such fidelity brings persecution. Today’s readings show us how to accomplish this mission and remind us that suffering is an integral part of our journey to glory; there is no crown without a cross.

In the first reading, the Church presents the painful cry of the prophet Jeremiah, revealing the suffering he endured because of his obedience to God’s will. Jeremiah was chosen to proclaim God’s message to his people, a mission that brought him into conflict with those who rejected God and refused to hear His word. They persecuted Jeremiah and, on several occasions, attempted to kill him. Yet, despite all he suffered, Jeremiah continued to proclaim God’s message with courage.

Jeremiah’s story offers us an important lesson. Through baptism, we too have received a vocation to preach Christ—through our words and through the way we live. This means condemning what is evil in our families, among our friends, and in society. It means refusing to remain silent in the face of wrongdoing. As Christians, we must not fear speaking the truth or standing for the truth; we should not be afraid of proclaiming Christ to our friends. If we are faithful to this mission, some will laugh at us, hate us, or attack us. But the Church, through Jeremiah’s example, urges us never to abandon God when we face criticism, mockery, or persecution. There is no Christianity without a cross.

In the second reading, Saint Paul gives us another important lesson on how Christians should live, especially in today’s world. Paul advised the early Christians to live in a way that differed both from the Jews and the pagans around them. To do this, they must reject explicitly the behaviour of the world. He said, “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice to God… do not model your lives according to the standard of this world.” Dear friends, these words are addressed to us as well. We live in a world where sin and impurity are promoted as attractive lifestyles by the media and even by governments. Sinners are celebrated as celebrities, and evil, sin, and despicable behaviours are treated as normal and as human rights. Saint Paul reminds us that Christians must not model their lives on these worldly patterns that promote immorality, treat God’s teachings as outdated, and set sin as the standard. Every Christian must reject sin at all costs. We are called to swim against the current of our time, because the current of our time runs against the teachings of God.

In a world full of sin and longing for sinful things, today’s Psalm tells us: “O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts… My soul clings fast to you.” Our souls should thirst for God, not for sin.

The response Jesus gave to Peter in the Gospel is also a lesson for us. He said, “Get behind me, Satan.” This teaches us that anyone who tries to divert us from doing God’s will takes on the role of Satan and must be avoided. Anyone whose presence leads us away from holiness should not have influence over our lives.

After correcting Peter, Jesus announced three conditions of Christian discipleship: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.

Self‑denial means abandoning our own will in order to embrace the will of God; removing selfish thoughts, desires, and tendencies from our hearts and allowing God to fill them with Himself. It also means cleansing our lives of evil habits, enthroning God in our hearts, and sharing His presence with others.

Carrying the cross and following Jesus means being willing to suffer for the sake of Christ. This includes accepting the suffering, insults, and pain that may come from preaching Christ to our friends, or from living a life that differs from theirs because of our faith. It means accepting the sacrifices involved in serving others for Christ’s sake, and the insults that come from being honest, from saying “No” to sin, and from choosing holiness. It even means being considered foolish—or appearing foolish—before others for the sake of Christ.

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 22^ND SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTIONS BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: ON WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU?

(Matthew 16: 21-27)

We usually take the wrong side when sufferings come. We seem to keep God aside in our search for what we call greener pastures. We fear losing our financial, political and social security. We fear less of losing God but more of losing what God gives. We forget that when we have God we have all.

We seem to be on the side of God only when the going is good . We seem only to believe in God, to believe that the Lord is good only when we feel that he has settled us. When the present looks uncertain and the future dark, we are tempted to direct God instead of following him.

In today's Gospel we saw Jesus taking his disciples from the present into a future journey with him. In their past he had chosen and called them, they followed but Jesus stops a while to be sure they are really with him, to be sure they really know where the journey leads, to be convinced that they are following with the right disposition. But unfortunately, Peter who represented some other disciples demonstrated that the target is almost missed.

 

 GOD FORBID!

As Jesus continued to talk about how the Son of man would suffer, die and be raised, Peter wouldn't allow him to finish. He took him and began to rebuke him; Lord, this shall never happen to you; dear child of God certain things must happen to you which does not prove God has left you. You may experience rejection but it doesn't show God is not by your side. You may undergo delays, it does not mean God has failed you. There are times when God forbids your "God forbid". We sometimes forbid God from doing what he wants in us. That does not show you are on the side of God but either on your own side, on the side of the devil or on the side of the world. God will forbid you "say" God forbid to the necessary difficult situations you must go through before getting to your destination. God will forbid you say "God forbid" to study in order to pass. God will not be happy that you do not want to be hard working but wants riches. This shows where one belongs.

God does not promise favour without labour, he does not promise crown without cross, his promises are true and sure. The devil is the one who promises quick money, money doubling, success without qualifications, becoming without processes.

 

 YOU BELONG TO CHRIST, REMAIN ON HIS SIDE

Jesus wants to see you by his side always. Keep him before you, in front of you in all your endeavours. Get behind and keep following him he will not fail you. The Christian teachings will not disappoint you. You will not regret abiding by the commandments. Continue to attend the Holy mass never stop praying. Do not give the devil a try. Do not listen to your canal self. Pay attention to the spirit of God in you. Be docile to the direction he gives. Give your problem to him, adore and keep worshipping him. Never for a moment put yourself first.

 

 LOSE LITTLE AND GAIN MORE

Being on the side of Christ entails losing to gain. You may feel you are losing today but tomorrow you will gain. You will gain what you are losing now in training your child, in being a good husband or wife, in not being a ritualist, in standing for the truth even when it makes you lose favours now. Do not be ordinary in your thinking by limiting yourself to here and now. Think of tomorrow and forever, think about your soul, think about your joy. Do not gain all and suffer loss of your soul.

May the problems we encounter along our earthly journey never make us lose our destiny. May the grace of God see you through and deliver you from the various trials and temptations threatening to snatch you away from God's side.

May we remain on the side of God here on earth and rejoice eternally in heaven in his bosom for ever and ever. Amen

Happy Sunday (22nd Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh