HAVE A TOUCH WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND BE SAVED.

HOMILY FOR 13TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. 

Theme: HAVE A TOUCH  WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND BE SAVED.

First Reading: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24. 

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm: 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15.

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43. 

The readings of today show us that God wants nothing but life and goodness for us, if only we will let Him rescue us. The first reading explains that God desires life for us, not death. In the second reading St. Paul urges the Corinthians to give generously toward the collection he was organizing for the poor Jewish converts in Palestine. Contextually, the current situation in the country has posed many to be like the biblical poor Jewish Christians that St. Paul referred to in the second reading. Hence, it is our Christian duty to reach out, to touch people`s life financially, spiritually, physically etc. to help them see Jesus, since our Lord Jesus Christ even though he was rich, yet for our sake became poor, so that by his poverty we might become rich. This is an indication that God desires abundance for all of his children. 

In the gospel, Jesus brings a young girl back to life and heals as a result of her touch with him, a woman who had been long afflicted with haemorrhage . 

The author of the Wisdom book references a truth which is clearly stated for the first time in the whole Old Testament – man`s real destiny is an unending life with God. The author insists that human beings have been created to share eternal life with God. Death has not come from God but from another source; envy of a fallen angel, the devil, who by inducing human beings to sin has rendered them unfit for eternal life and subject to mortality. The sinfulness of man which separates us from God and renders corruptible these human bodies of ours that were created for incorruption, can as well be restored to sanctity and life only when we come closer to God; when we have really encountered him and touched him, just as we read in the gospel of today. 

The stories of miracles show Jesus healing either by touch or by word. Both methods are present in the two miracles of today`s gospel readings. But there is a certain poignancy in the touch story as it is not Jesus who consciously touches the woman but she to Him. The stealth of the woman with the issue of blood in trying to touch Jesus without anyone being aware of it was occasioned by the ignorance of those times which considered that a woman in her condition was ritually unclean and anyone she touched was also rendered unclean. When we are living in sin, we are to be equated with this woman who really longed for a total cleansing and a perfect restoration. However, we cannot achieve this in isolation, long distancing of ourselves from God. Rather we shall achieve it by sincere effort to touch Him, expressed in deep faith. This is the only and surer way to be restored to new life in Christ and enjoy the immortality of our souls. 

Today`s gospel leaves us with some important questions. Thus, has the world changed much in the Twenty-first Centuries? How many millions of nominal Christians ignore Christ and his gospel today? How many millions are spiritually sick and dying but who have not the faith, humility and confidence of Jairus, to cast themselves at the feet of Jesus and ask Him to heal them? If they could, like the suffering woman in today`s gospel, break through the throng of worldly pride, worldly interests and worldly associates and touch the hem of his garment; if they had the faith of Jairus; if only they could say to our Lord “come and lay your hands upon me so that I may be made well and live.” 

It is only when we have resolved these questions that we can truly say with the psalmist of today “I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up.”

The  lesson of today`s readings therefore is an invitation for us to draw closer to God through Christ who is the perfect healer and creator of the universe. If we have not met Jesus, then we have not yet received our total healing. Therefore, let us come closer to Him in faith, have a touch with Him, and enjoy total healing and salvation. 

May the word of God bear much fruits in our hearts through Christ our Lord. Amen.     

Wishing you a blissful Sunday. 

Reflection by:

Rev. Joachim Onuoha, SMMM

WHY ARE YOU FRIGHTENED WHEN YOU ARE WITH JESUS?

TWELTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (B) IN ORDINARY TIME

WHY ARE YOU FRIGHTENED WHEN YOU ARE WITH JESUS?

First Reading: Job 38:1.8-11; Second Reading 2Cor. 5:14-17; Gospel Mark 4:35-41.

“Just to know that Christ is with us amid all the turbulence of life is a great cause for celebration and thanksgiving. With Christ, the turbulence can become the birth pangs of new creation,”

In the first reading, God answers Job in a rhetorical manner. He provided answers which quenched Job’s curiosity, cravings and seeming lack of faith. God questions Job like a public prosecutor questioning a witness in the dock. These questions contain observable data in the universe. One instance is the shutting up of the sea behind closed doors (Job 38:8). At this point, Job accepts not to doubt or question further (Job 38:11), rather, that he cannot explain everything that happens on earth but believes that God is good and worthy to be trusted.

In the gospel, the apostles showed their lack of true knowledge of Jesus with whom they have been most of the times. It was Jesus who invited them to go with him “across the other side” (Mark 4:35). This could be a very important moment in the lives of the apostles and our Christian faith. A moment of “test of faith.” Not long they have entered the boat as the short journey began, the wind (life turbulence, test of Christian faith) knowing that Jesus was with them, began to blow. Jesus fell asleep (allowed them to exercise their Christian faith to the fullest), but they were found wanting.  They lost their faith in a moment when their faith would have come into full practice (praxis fidei). That is why Jesus called them (and to us too who loose our faith in the face of trial) “men of little faith”, rather, “men of no faith.” Jesus asked them: why are you so frightened? This same question is applicable to us today. Why are we so frightened that we easily and quickly forget Jesus in our troubles and afflictions? Why are we so frightened that we easily forget that we are with the “author” and “finisher” of our faith?

 Jesus speaks to us today through St. Peter: “Unload all your worries on him since he takes care of you” (1Pet. 5:7).

The Psalmist says: “But when I am afraid, O Mighty One, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3). Let us trust in Jesus with our whole being, who, even the wind and sea obey. When we are overpowered by fear, we fall back to our old life of weakness and sin; we lose our companionship with Jesus who told us not to be afraid.

St. Paul in the second reading reminds us that the love of Christ overwhelms us and makes us new creatures. Hence, when we are frightened, we lose this relationship with him. Let us not allow the turbulence of this life frighten us because, Jesus is our dear friend and brother. He is the Lord of the storm and turbulence. It is he who gives them command and they stand still. 

Dear friends, the only fear we should express is the fear of sin which cuts us off from the love of and closeness with God. It severs our relationship with God. But with faith and trust in Jesus we shall do bravely. May God give us the grace today, to keep walking with Jesus in faith and love.

Do have a blessed Sunday.

Rev. Callistus Chukwuemeka Nwokonkwo, SMMM.

GO AND SPREAD THE LOVE OF CHRIST

 

Homily 11Th Sunday in the Ordinary time Year B

FirstReading: Ezekiel 17:22-24

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

Theme:  GO AND SPREAD THE LOVE OF CHRIST. 

The first reading from Prophet Ezekiel, speaks about how God plants and makes a tree to sprout branches and bear fruit, where every kind of bird will live beneath it and every winged creature rest in the shades of its branches.

Similarly in the Gospel, Jesus speaks about the Mustard seed which at the time of sowing is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it turns into the biggest shrub and put out branches so that the birds of the air can shelter in its shade. The mustard seed was the smallest seed, but it grew into a huge plant. This is one of the parables of growth. In this parable, Jesus gives us a couple of things to reflect upon.

The Kingdom of God can be summarized as the everlasting realm where God is sovereign and Jesus Christ rules forever. A kingdom where God reigns in our hearts and souls and where love conquers. It is a kingdom where truth is said and established; a kingdom where understanding, tolerance, justice and fear of the Lord is lived-out as we go about our daily activities. 

The insights about the kingdom of God is first that although God's Kingdom  started small, with Jesus and the disciples, it would grow and spread across the world to unlimited numbers of followers. Secondly, it shows us how little seeds/efforts when cultivated lead to a huge outcome. And finally, it tells us that God has planted his seed in our hearts the very day we were baptised. 

Baptism made us a part of that salvific message that was believed and shared among the early Christians about 2,000 years ago. And the centre of this message that God has planted in our hearts is “His love made manifest in the Son” and he has asked us to spread this love like branches to people where ever we go.

We as Christians are connected with God through Christ. Like the vine, we are the branches and we are urged to continue to live-out the gospel values by showing love and light to the world.  This is why in the Second reading, St Paul asks us to “make a home with the lord”, to stay connected with Christ the main source. How do we make this home with God?

We shall make home with God by accepting and acknowledging “God’s love” and by practising it; by partaking in the Eucharist, from whence it can grow to a huge outcome like: Kindness, Justice, understanding, tolerance, charity and fear of God.

Therefore as Christians, we are called to shine in the world so that all people living in the dark can see Christ in us and thereby experience the Kingdom of God which is living amongst us. We know that we can not achieve this without his Grace, and so we pray for the grace to acknowledge the presence of God in our heart and conscience, so as to grow into mature individuals, drawing men to God.

May the Lord bless his words in our heart through Christ our lord! Amen.

Reflection by:

Rev. Paschal Nwankwo,SMMM

Homily on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Year B

 Homily on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Year B

1st Reading: Exodus 24: 3-8

2nd Reading: Hebrews 9: 11-15

Gospel: Mark 14: 12-16, 22-26

Introduction: 

Today, the Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ also known as Corpus Christi. It is a special and joyous celebration of the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Today’s celebration reflects on the great event and moment of the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. It is a mystery that speaks volume of the unquantifiable love of God. It calls for thanksgiving, praise, adoration and worship.

Historical Background:

The feast’s origin is traced to a humble nun in Belgium in 1246, St. Juliana, Prioress of Mont Cornillon near Liege who after experiencing a vision, first suggested and advocated a special feast in honor of the Blessed Sacrament to be celebrated on a day other than Maundy Thursday. Equally, the feast was proposed by St. Thomas Aquinas to Pope Urban IV in order to create a feast solely on the Holy Eucharist, emphasizing the joy of the Eucharist being the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. 

Having recognized the authenticity of the Eucharistic miracle of Bolsena on input of Aquinas, in 1264, the Pontiff then living in Orvieto, established the Feast of the Corpus Christi as a Solemnity and extended it to the whole Roman Catholic Church.  Also with the reform of Vatican II, Corpus Christi was joined with the Feast of the Precious Blood to become the Solemnity of the Body and Body of Christ. It is a celebration of the gift of the Eucharist which is the source and summit of our Christian Life and summary of our faith.

Eucharistic theologians explain the Real Presence by a process called transubstantiation: the entire substance of the bread and wine is changed into the entire substance of the risen, living and glorified body and blood of Christ retaining only the accidents (taste, color, shape) of bread and wine.

The first and second readings of today, point out three striking concepts, namely, ‘sacrifice, blood and covenant.’ In the first reading the old covenant was sealed by the blood of animals sacrificed and offered to God. The blood was sprinkled on the people by Moses (acting as a priest) as covenant with God.

In the second reading, the new covenant was sealed with the blood of Christ and longer the blood of goats or calves. He is the high priest as well as the victim of the sacrifice. Importantly, the old covenant does not promise eternal life whereas the new covenant guarantees salvation (eternal life).

Pertinently, in the gospel, we celebrate Jesus’ gift of His Body and Blood to us. We see in the gospel periscope an account of the institution of the Holy Eucharist by Christ who is both priest and victim who offered himself for our salvation in a bloodless manner yet the same with his sacrifice on the cross.

Pope Francis explained that the Eucharist is God’s concrete promise of what awaits his followers in heaven. The Eucharist is our reservation for the heavenly banquet. It is Jesus himself, as food for our journey towards eternal life and happiness. He notes that when Catholics worship Jesus in the Eucharist, they receive the Holy Spirit and find peace and joy. We are called to live no longer for ourselves but for one another in imitation of Christ who became bread broken for our sake. In this way, we live ‘eucharistically’, pouring out upon the world the love we draw from the Lord’s flesh.

In the words of St. Pope John Paul II, ‘Jesus is not an idea, a sentiment, a memory; Jesus is a person, always alive and present with us.’ We are called to love Jesus in the Eucharist, and to pour out ourselves in love for other, our bodies broken too and shared in the service of the other.

Reflection by 

Rev. Chimobi Mbawuike,SMMM