Thursday of 11^th Week in Ordinary Time, Yr. II: reflection

Theme: What will the book of who is who of the people around you say about you?

Reading: Sirach 48:1-14

How lovely and beautiful are the things Sirach said about the prophet Elijah in the first reading of today. Chapters 44-50 of Sirach were most likely taken from the book of Who’s Who in the history and religion of Israel or could be viewed as a book of Who’s Who in Israel’s history. Today's reading from chapter 48 described the wonders wrought by Elijah while he served as a prophet in Israel, as well his unflinching personality even in the presence of powerful kings and queens.

One of the striking things Sirach said about Elijah was that no one could intimidate him, especially in his convictions about God. Dear friends, can we say the same about ourselves in our relationship with God? Are we solidly confident about our faith in this God in such a way that no human being or circumstance can push us to lose our faith in Him or are we like trees tossed by the wind, which tilt to any direction of the wind? Elijah’s story tells us that God doesn’t disappoint anyone who convincingly hold cling to Him in the face of intimidations.  

Again, just like Elijah, God has given all of us some years of service here on earth in different capacities, and He has given us the freedom to choose the type of service we would like to render. The wonders of Elijah, as told by Sirach, reminds us that any service rendered with the time given to us by God will not be forgotten by the people in whose lives and times we rendered such services, for nothing done under the sun would be entirely hidden.

The weakness of the human nature may make men to say evil of our good or good of our evil, but time will eventually reveal the true color of everything. Let us, therefore, start today in our various little ways to write our names with a golden pen in the book of Who is Who of the people of our time, beginning from those around us.

May God’s grace be abundant in your life this Thursday, Amen.

Fr Isaac Chima

 Wednesday of 11^th Week in Ordinary Time, Yr. II: reflection

Theme: What you shouldn’t do when performing acts of piety

Reading: Mt 6:1-6,16-18

Do you know that two people can perform the same acts of piety (prayer, fasting, and almsgiving), one person will be richly rewarded/blessed by God, while the other will go home empty handed? In the gospel reading of today, Jesus tells us the dos and don’ts while performing acts of piety if we want to be rewarded by God.

Prayer is a form of communication with God that brings us closer to Him in a special way. It is, however, possible for one to pray without attaining this spiritual impact and other benefits of prayer. According to Jesus, when one prays to himself or to the people around him rather than to God, he loses the benefits of prayer. How does one pray to himself or to those around him? When one prays in order to be noticed or praised as a powerful man of prayer, such prayer is directed to the people rather than to God.

Like the Pharisees who preferred to pray in city centres in order to be noticed and applauded by passersby, many men and women of God of our time say their prayers just to earn the praises of men; in prayers, they fine-tune their voices in a way that will attract people, speak in unknown tongues without the prompting of the Holy Spirit and do some kinds of sensational gyration. As a communication between man and God, prayer should not be said to attract the attention or the praise of human beings, but should be a conversation with God.

The same is true for giving alms. The reward promised by God to all those who give alms to the needy may not be received by those who performed acts of charity solely to gain the praise of others. A common trend in today's world is to publicize charitable acts through all channels of communication. While it is not wrong to share testimonies of good works, it is, however, wrong to do so in order to gain the praise of men. Those who only help the poor in places where they will be seen and praised by men have already received their reward.

Nowadays, the internet is frequently flooded with images of men and women of God fasting on mountains and appearing famished, but Jesus warns that no one should fast in order to be noticed and praised by men; whoever does so has already lost the spiritual strength that fasting provides.

Dear friends, Jesus is urging us to avoid eye service and ostentation when performing acts of piety.

May your Wednesday be abundantly blessed. Amen

Fr Isaac Chima

 Tuesday of 11^th Week in Ordinary Time, Yr. II: reflection

Theme: Those who inflict harm on others also invite it upon themselves

1Kgs 21:1-16

At a time when many people are beginning to believe that the end justifies the means (that one can reach his goal through any means available even if such means include shedding of peoples’ blood, unlawful destruction/acquisition of properties, fraud, and other crimes against humanity), the story of the aftermath of the killing of Naboth by Jezebel in today’s first reading rings a loud warning bell in our ears.

Ahab's goal was to acquire land for a vegetable garden. So, he asked Naboth to cede his vineyard to him in exchange for another, but Naboth refused because of the importance of the vineyard to his family history. To help her husband achieve his goal, Jezebel had Naboth accused falsely and killed. The news of Naboth’s death gladdened the heart of Ahab, who joyfully possessed Naboth’s inheritance. 

When Ahab happily settled in his newly acquired property, he believed that by keeping the bloody path that led to his goal hidden from men, he had successfully covered his tracks. But that was when God's hand fell heavily on him, reminding him that no one can escape God's justice. Ahab and Jezebel brought doom upon themselves and their entire family as a result of their single act of violence against Naboth.

Dear friends, this is a strong message to those rich people of our society and wicked rulers of our nations who always believe they can take or destroy people’s lives and properties at will, deny the poor their means of survival, and use their wealth and connections to cover their tracks. It tells them that no one can escape the justice of the all-seeing God, and that the wrath of God often comes in a hundredfold.

It is also a message to the so called ‘yahoo boys’ – fraudsters – of our society, who amass wealth by sending people to their untimely deaths, as well as all those who arrive at their goal at the expense of others, that the God of the oppressed does not sleep, and that He will bring a hundredfold of evil upon anyone who rises to greatness through evil.

May God help us to arrive at our goals through the right channel.

Fr Isaac Chima

Monday of 11^th Week in Ordinary Time, Yr. II: reflection

Theme: Do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you (Mt 5:39)

Reading: Mt 5:38-42

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus continued with the amendment of the old laws, so that his followers, who will be bound by them, will be able to make positive impacts in the world.

He addressed the subject of retaliation today, advising his followers to be patient and tolerant with those who insult, offend and hurt them instead of seeking revenge.

The ancient law required people to take an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth in order to ensure proportionality in retaliation. But the people of the time of Jesus, as well as many people in our own time, preferred to interpret this law as calling for retaliation for wrongs committed against them. However, Jesus did not advocate for mandatory or proportionate retribution; instead, He commanded his apostles and all of us to forgo taking revenge for wrongs done to us.

Remarkable was the example used by Christ to drive home this beautiful lesson. He advised turning to the left as well if someone slaps your right cheek. We need to consider the location of the right cheek in order to comprehend the salient message here. If someone is facing you, his right cheek will be on your left side. Now, to slap that person on the right cheek, you must use your left palm or the dorsal side your right hand’s palm (the back of your right hand’s palm), which is equivalent to a double insult because only children can be slapped with the back of the hand’s palm or with the left hand. Hence, Jesus was saying we should not retaliate even when someone gives us a double insult, i.e. when someone mistreats us as if we are kids.

Dear Friends, today's message is also a special call to all Christians who justify their vengeful actions by claiming to be hot-tempered or short-tempered. A true Christian will follow in the footsteps of Christ and his disciples, who did not fail to turn the other cheek to their attackers.

We often hear people say that revenge is sweet. But it is good to know that wrongs initiate a vicious circle of evil, which is reinforced by revenge. The vicious circle of evil cannot be ended by revenge, but by forgiveness. The only revenge that is complete is forgiveness.

May your new week be abundantly blessed. Amen

 Fr Isaac Chima

11^th SUNDAY, YEAR B: HOMILY BY FR. JUSTIN ADIELE

THEME: “THE SEED OFTHE KINGDOM IS PLANTED IN YOU”

INTRODUCTION:

China has a very strange bamboo tree seed. When the seed is planted, it lays under the ground for five years before sprouting out above the ground. During the five years the seed is still under the ground, it is watered and fertilized regularly. When the seed finally sprouts, it grows up to a height of nine feet in just six weeks. It was discovered that within the first five years the seed was still lying under the ground, the bamboo seed was busy building an elaborate root system that would enable it to grow nine feet in six weeks after germination. The seed of the kingdom has been planted in us. What root system are we building up, and what heights have we attained spiritually, morally and otherwise?

 

THE FIRST READING (EZ. 17: 22 – 24)

The first reading narrated how God selected and planted Israel like a cedar on a lofty mountain, where it grew flourished and stood taller/higher than other trees (peoples). God spoke so high of Israel the seed he planted, and wished they lived up to his expectations; flourishing and higher in faith, virtues, morality, spirituality, goodness, justice and righteousness than other nations. We are the new Israel, chosen and planted by God and expected to stand tall in faith, virtues and holiness.

 

THE SECOND READING (2 COR. 5: 6 – 10)

In order to stand tall in faith, virtues and holiness, St. Paul advised us in the second reading to be at home with God, always aiming to please him in the body by doing good always. We must be at home with the Words and commandments of God which guide us to a holy and virtuous life.

 

THE GOSPEL READING (MK. 4: 26 – 34)

In the gospel reading, Jesus used the parable of the mustard seed to describe the kingdom of God, planted as a little seed with the twelve apostles; and now grown into a universal Church that shelters and nourishes uncountable souls marching to the heavenly kingdom. The Church and we the members must continue to grow physically, spiritually and morally to shelter the world from the rays and rain of error, evil, sin and destruction.

 

CONCLUSION

The seed of the kingdom has been planted at St. Eugene, and in us Christians. The seed of the kingdom is planted in you because God chose and saw you as a fertile ground and expects the best from you. So, do not let God and yourself down after all these years of planting, watching, waiting, watering and nourishing you with his Holy Words. Like the Chinese Bamboo seed, how fast or slow are we growing into what God wants us to be? How fast or slow are we attaining the growth and height God wants us to attain in faith, virtues and spirituality? How far have we spread our faith and moral shade over our children, family and the world around us? How many souls can take shelter under our shade and guidance to escape the rain of evil oppressions? As God’s seeds, we must grow and labour to become big shelters of souls for God.

 

Happy Sunday!

Fr. Justin

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

Theme: Let us continue sowing the seed of God’s Kingdom in others

Readings: Ez. 17:22-24; 2Cor 5:6-10; Mk 4:26-34

On this eleventh Sunday of ordinary time, the Church reminds us that, as part of God’s kingdom, she is like a tree planted by God in the world. In her early beginning, she was like the smallest of all seed, but she eventually grew up to become the noblest of trees, with her branches reaching all corners of the earth. She is the physical manifestation of God’s kingdom established on earth by Jesus. So, like the birds of the air, we are called to make our home in her.

The first reading gave us a message of hope and restoration. It was a message of hope and restoration from God to the people of Israel exiled in Babylon. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God revealed to the Israelites His plans of restoring the kingdom of Israel. He said, He will take a small branch of cedar and plant it on a high mountain in Israel. This small branch will grow into a big and noble cedar. All animals will find shelter under its shade, and on its branches, birds will build their nests. This was a prophecy that God was about to transfer his people from slavery, poverty and misery to a realm of justice, peace and prosperity.

Though God freed the people of Israel from slavery after some years and brought them back to Israel, the ultimate fulfilment of this prophecy was in the coming of Jesus, who freed his people from slavery of sin, saved them from the misery of sickness and established the kingdom of God on earth.

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus used two parables to describe this kingdom of God which he had established. The first parable told us that it is a kingdom where God grants increase to the little works or efforts of men. In this kingdom, which is the Church, men and women go about everyday spreading/sowing the seed of faith through their words, examples and testimonies, but it is God who waters this seed of faith in the hearts, families and societies that welcomed it, making it to grow into a bigger kingdom where the fruits of peace, love, grace, and numerous blessings will be harvested. We should, therefore, be patient whenever we sow this seed of faith in our brothers, sisters and friends. All we need to do is to continue watering it with good examples and it will definitely grow and bear fruits.

Most times we think that what is required to convert our friends are big arguments/talks about faith or big faith examples or heroic acts of faith, but this is not always the case. The kingdom of God is rather like a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds. But wherever it is sown, it grows bigger than all other trees. Thus, a small example of faith, few words of faith or small example of good action, as small as the mustard seed, is sufficient to plant the seed of the kingdom of God in the hearts of our friends, brother, sisters and colleagues. And whenever this seed of faith is sown, God will grant the increase. The growth and fruiting of this seed of faith may not occur immediately, and how this will happen, we may not know. But St. Paul says that those who have the inner eye of faith will see it happen, because we walk by faith and not by sight.

Therefore, dear friends in Christ, let us not wait for bigger opportunities or bigger occasions to make Christ known to others, let us rather start with the small and ordinary daily experiences and activities; even if they are as small as the mustard seed, God will transform them into big trees.

Happy Sunday, dear friends

Fr Isaac Chima

 11^th Sunday, Year B: Reflection by Fr Julian Ekeh

THEME: THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: A LITTLE BEGINNING THAT ENDS IN GOD

(Mark 4:26-34)

Jesus in the Gospel of Today talks about the Kingdom of God first as the seed scattered upon the ground. Secondly, as the mustard seed, which looks insignificant at the beginning but becomes great at last.

 

THE SCATTERED SEEDS

Narrating the first parable of today's Gospel, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to the seed a man scattered and slept. It grew of its own, and when it is ripe, the man harvests.

The Lord has scattered each and every one of us in the world. He allows us to grow and be productive. He endows us with graces, favours, and blessed things of the earth, makes us responsible for them, and waits for us to give proper account at the end of the day. The Lord gives us freedom to make use of the numerous opportunities given to us to make heaven.

He wants you to grow. He has done His part. The rest is in your hands. Do not take His benevolence for granted. Do not think that He is sleeping away. Time shall come when He will come to harvest, then your achievements will speak for you.

You've got in you the potential for spiritual growth that takes you to heaven. 

Do not waste the seeds of the kingdom in you. Africa and Nigeria have wasted a lot of seeds that should have been nourished to greatness. We have lost a lot in the past through insecurity, corruption, injustice, and hatred. The time for reckoning is coming. Let us make use of the time we have now to make this environment a better place, a kingdom of God on earth. Let us make good use of this moment to seek the ways of God and forestall the impending destruction that may visit when we fail to do the needful.

Do not waste the seed of your youth diminishing instead of living in accordance with the will of God for you. Do not get yourself involved in acts against the kingdom values.

 

VALUE THE MUSTARD SEED IN YOU

The little things that lead to the kingdom of God, to success, to greatness, and to fulfilment are the seeds deposited in us by God for noble purpose.

Since we are limited by sight, we may not understand them at the present. But we are encouraged to move on courageously and never look down on ourselves and what God can do through us.

What attracts the attention of God is found in our everydayness. They are found in the way we greet, we feel with people, perform our little roles and functions, in that simple smile, in checking up on our neighbours, in the cares we show, etc.

This parable speaks to our hearts to remain resolute, to be consistent in doing those little things and make them part of us. It is an invitation to keep growing in virtue. It calls on us to take one day at a time, to make positive steps towards positive ends.

This parable in a special way reminds us of the seed of faith sown in us at baptism, it challenges us to make it flourish so that it grows to what God intended when we were made heirs to His kingdom as infants.

Let us live in appreciation to the Lord who wills that we become great in every good work. This appreciation, in turn, will enable us as we grow to bring others to share the joy that flows from the kingdom of God. It makes us live lives that inspire people. It makes us live lives that win souls for Christ. We are made to participate in emptying hell fire and dispossessing the devil of his grip on children of God.

May you grow to the height God expects of you. May you attain the heavenly destination God willed for you. May you be a blessing and sign of the kingdom wherever you're catapulted to.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

We thank You, Lord God, for explaining the secret of the Kingdom to us, Your mere little children. Give us the courage to be consistent in the little good things we do every day of our lives. Do not allow the seed of evil introduced by the enemy to deceive us and make us lose focus of our end. May we make heaven after all we are passing through here on earth. We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Sunday to you

(11th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr. B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh