ACCEPTING GOD'S WORD THROUGH LOVE.

HOMILY FOR 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR B

R1:             Deut. 6:2-6

R/P Ps 18: 2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

R2:            Heb. 7:23-28

Gospel:   Mk 12:28b-34

Theme: ACCEPTING GOD'S WORD THROUGH LOVE.

I welcome you to last Sunday in the month of October. Today marks the end of October devotion as we await the last two months of the year 2021.

From the readings, God through Moses makes a promise and a reward that awaits us if we keep His commandments.

In the first reading, God says, if we keep His laws and observe His commandment we will prosper and increase greatly. He will make us possess the promised land (these promised land could be identified in various aspects of our lives: success and breakthrough in business, academic excellence, peaceful and a happy home, good life partner, gift of children and so on). Be assured that God's promise will surely come to be and his time is always the best.

Christ who is our ideal priest, despite all he went through in his Calvary ordeals, persevered till the end in obedience to God's will. This merited him the crown of glory on the resurrection day. It  tells us therefore that the reward for obedience to the father which he promised will always be given. We have Christ who is our model and is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He lives to intercede for us who come to God through him (Cf. HEB. 7:25)

Jesus in order to help us sustain, keep and fulfill our convenantal strength with him, gave us a new commandment in the new dispensation: LOVE. He commands us to love God and our neighbor as we love ourself. No other commandment is more important than this. Anyone who loves God and his/her neighbor will definitely not go against other commandments. (CF Mtt 22:40)

Although these may be different avenues through which we express love since faith becomes a given when associated with a good act as St. James made us to understand,

our offerings, charity, sacrifices, almsgiving, etc are not more important than this love which Christ taught us. They are            subsumed in it.

Thus immediately the scribe confirmed in explanation what this love entails, Jesus replied "you are not far from the kingdom of God"(Mk 12:34)

It implies that we need to love in action and in truth. Definitely, we cannot do without act of  listening. For whoever lacks the ability to listen, cannot love. Love begins with listening, graduates to compassion, sympaty, empathy, etc.

One might ask, listening to who?

Listening to the ideal Priest. The Ideal Priest as the second reading tells is the one who is Holy, Innocent and uncontaminated. Other Priests offer sacrifices everyday but His sacrifice was done once and for all by offering Himself. He is Christ who is the only way, the truth and life for us in entering God's kingdom. (Jn 14;6)

The Psalmist therefore encourages us to do this with all our strength if we are to gain this reward promised by the Father.

We can do so by allowing God's words to penetrate our heart. We need to listen to Christ always.

Beloved in Christ, there are seven(7) benefits we received through the relationship between God and His People as was rightly pointed out by St Paul in Rom. 9:4-5.

We need to pay attention to them:

1. Adoption: God gathered us as the New Israel.

2. Glory: God gave us His Glory through Christ.

3. Covenant: God drew us to Himself.

4. Law: God taught us how to live.

5. Worship: God is always present in our assembly.

6. Promises: God promises us life and blessings.

7. Patriarchs: Through them, God shows his care by promising that our land will flow with milk and honey.

If we understand these benefits and keep them with all our heart, soul, mind and body definitely we will not be far from His Kingdom.

The words we receive from Him are Spirit and they are life. (Cf Jn 6:63)

Listening and paying attention to the word of God will save our souls from eternal damnation. 

Shalom.

Reflection by

Fr Richard Anigbogu, SMMM

RETURN TO THE LORD

HOMILY FOR 30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B* 

R1: Jer 31:7-9, 

R/P:  P 125:1-6, 

R2: Heb.5:1-6, 

Gospel: Mk 10:46-52

Theme: RETURN TO THE LORD

Today’s readings challange us to turn back to the Lord. We can recall that in the gospel of last Sunday, the two brothers James and John, made a special appeal to the Lord, that he should grant that on the last day, the two of them will be seated one at his right and the other at his left (Mk 10:35-45). Jesus, asked them if they will be able to receive the kind of his baptism and drink of the cup which he himself will drink. From that last Sunday’s gospel reading, we found out that following Jesus or becoming part or a member in his kigdom is not by a mere proclamation and profession of faith, it also requires drinking of a cup. 

Today’s gospel reading continues from here, stating clearing what we must do if we want to be part of this kingdom. It explains to us the kind of cup we must drink to merit that possition of sitting at his right and his left. Thus, we have the following lessons to learn from the readings:

*1. The call of God is for all:*  In the first reading of today, the prophet Jeremiah challanges the chiefs of nations to shout for joy, for the Lord will bring back from the land of the North, the blind and the lame, women with child and those in labour. Here the prophet wants us to understand the direction of God’s call. God calls both those who have closed their eyes against the suffering of helpbless (the blind). He wants those who have refused to speak against the evil in the society to return to him (the lame). He is not leaving behind those who are fruiful either in their ministries, apostolate, places of work or those who are making effort to bear good fruits (women with child), neither is he overlooking those who are suffering due to what they have intentionally committed (women in labour). Thus, let all of us make our way back to God.

*2. The medium through which we can return to the Lord:* Every Christian adventure needs mentorship. The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews clearly writes: “No one takes this honour upon himself...(Heb 5:4).” For everyone that wants to live a good Christian life, such a person must seek a spiritual assistance. Let no one underlook the function of the priest who acts in the Person of Christ, in our struggle to perfection. The Sacrament of Penance is a necssary tool for this return. In this Sacrament, the priest acts not for himself and by himself, he acts in the Name of Christ. It might also interest you to note that as long as Bartimaeus desired to have his sight, “Jesus invited him through the aid of others.”  Jesus did not say to him, Come! He rather said to others, ‘Call him here.’ Mk 10:46. Spiritual support is essential for all.

*3. The voice of concience as a tool for spiritual return:* From the gospel reading of today, we see that the blind man (Bartimaeus) was only prompted by the shoutings of others to ask what was going on. Many Christians have blocked their minds from hearing this inner voice that always push us to seek the presence of God. This blind man was never forced to speak, he thought of himself and shouted, “Have mercy on me, Jesus, Son od David.”(Mk 10:47). This is the kind of force that should push me to seek God’s grace. Am I comfortable with my present situation? Have I blocked my ear from hearing the voice of God? To what extent has all the homilies I have been hearing affected my life positively? We cannot see, we cannot improve spiritually unless we listen to the inner voice and ask Jesus, that we may see.

*4. The cloak we must drop:* Did you notice that immediately Jesus invited Bartimaeus he threw away his cloak and jumpted to him? One will begin to imagin if he jumped naked to Jesus. My friends, there are things we must necessarily leave behind if we want to follow Jesus. Mk 10:29 insists that anyone who leaves his father, mother etc for the sake of the kingdom will receive the reward. The cloak we must leave behind include bad friends who are not helping us spiritually. In the case of Bartimaeus we see those who tried to discourage him, those who told him to shut up  but he overlooked them and shouted the louder. There are people we must overlook, there are actions we must overlook, there are habits we must overlook, there are dressing codes we must overlook, there are lifestyle we must overlook. These are the things that are drawing us back. They are those voices that keep discouraging us. We need to leave them behind so that we do not become as heavy as the rich man (Mk 10:25) who will find it difficult to enter the kingdom. The time to turn to the Lord is now. Jesus is telling us, Courage! Let us make haste while the sun shines.

May the Lord help us and may he bless his words in our hearts through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Reflection by:

*Rev Fr. Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.*

THE ROUTE TO GREATNESS

HOMILY FOR TWENTY NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR B

R1: Isaiah 53:10-11

R/P: Psalm 32:4-5,18-20,22

R2: Hebrews 4:14-16

Accl: Jn14:6

Gospel: Mark 10:35-45

THEME: THE ROUTE TO GREATNESS

Human beings are by nature ambitious. Our ambitions are fuelled by our pride and ego and our insatiable appetite to be better than others, to be more qualified, to be more learned, to be richer, famous or more influential. The endeavour behind almost every human effort is that of the desire to be great. 

The Disciples of Christ were not left out in this human quest to be great. In today’s gospel narrative, two of Christ’s apostles (James and John) approached Jesus and requested to be allowed to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus in his glory. When persons sit at the right hand and left hand of the throne, it means that they share in the power, glory and authority of throne.

In ancient times, only the queen mother and the heir to the throne were allowed seats at the right hand and left hand of the king. No one else were allowed. The request of James and John was practically a definite request to share in the power, glory and authority of Christ. The request of the two sons of Zebesee revealed a yearning ambition to be greater than the rest of the apostles. Their request revealed a desire to be special, to stand out from the rest and perhaps to exercise authority.

The other ten apostles were not innocent of this ambition as well. Their feeling of indignation when they heard of the request of James and John revealed their own personal envy. They all sought to be great; to stand out; to share in the power, authority and glory of Christ. When Christ noticed the indignation among them, he called them together and showed them the route to true greatness.

In the words of Christ, “Anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be the slave of all.” 

For Christ, the route to greatness is service, sacrifice and humility.We, like the apostles are in the same boat of seeking greatness; seeking to stand out, working hard to excel and to be above others in our various walks of life. This certainty is human. Christ does not condemn this quest for greatness. Christ rather shows us the path to true greatness. 

Greatness lies in service, sacrifice and humility. This runs against the trajectory of greatness in the eyes of the world. To the world, greatness means having others at your service. It means having other people’s opinion agree with your own opinion; it means having control over other people’s choices and decisions; it means having other people’s will bend to your own will. It literally means having your way all the time. But Christ changes this our idea of greatness. The key to greatness is service. We become great when we sacrifice our choices and preferences and decide to serve others. To the world, it indicates weakness; but for Christians, it is the path to greatness.

The first reading of today draws our attention to the suffering servant, who through his suffering and sacrifice procured justification and ransom for many. That suffering servant is Christ, who through his suffering and death paid the ransom for our salvation. In his suffering and sacrifice lies his greatness. His route to greatness was that of sacrifice. He invites us to sacrifice our time, talent and treasure for the good of others.

How do we pursue greatness? Do we exploit others in our quest to be great? Are we consumed by greed and avarice in our bid to become great? Has the thirst for greatness made us monsters of oppression and suppression in our society? Is our idea of greatness “sitting on the seats of power while others are at our service?” Do we lord it over people because we have the privilege of authority over them?  How do we handle power and authority? Do we see power and authority as opportunities to serve, sacrifice and be humble? Or do we see it as an opportunity to exact undue influence, to pressure and to exploit others as we feed our insatiable ego? Are we driven by the lust for power? If we see greatness as “sitting on the left hand and right hand of glory and power”, then we may not be free from the unhealthy competition, rivalry, envy, jealousy, greed, avarice and selfishness that hold many in our society captive.

 

Let us always remember that the route to true greatness is the route of service, sacrifice and humility.    

Peace be with you.

Reflection by:

Rev. Fr. Franklin Emenike,SMMM

GAINING WISDOM AND ETERNAL LIFE

HOMILY FOR THE 28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR B

R1: Wisdom 7:7-11

R/P: Psalm 89:12-17

R2: Hebrews 4:12-13

Accl: Mt11:25

Gospel: Mark 10:17-30

Theme: Gaining Wisdom and Eternal Life

In a particular African village, the crown prince wanted to take a wife. Among the girls in the village, two girls distinguished themselves in character and were seriously attractive to the royal family. The prince had to choose a wife from among them.

One day, he invited both girls to the royal garden and asked them to pick whatever they liked. The first girl gathered a basketful of apple while the second only picked an apple seed. When the prince demanded an explanation for their choice the first girl said: “Apple is a sign of love and the basketful signifies the great love I have for you”. The second girl replied: “I chose an apple seed instead of the fruit because with it, I will have as many fruits as I desire”. It is a sign of love that will keep growing and cannot be exhausted.  At last, the Prince married the second girl because of her wisdom.

Wisdom is the ability to make use of one’s knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgment. Over and above all, it is not the possession of knowledge but the application of knowledge. As it is commonly said, intelligence makes us speak but wisdom makes us listen. It makes us listen to the voice of Jesus inviting us to follow him each time we come closer to him. It is an important virtue for holiness of life because without wisdom, we cannot please God. This is because wisdom knows what is pleasing in the sight of God (cf. Wisdom 9:9).  

Aware of the necessity of wisdom in his life, Solomon in the first reading (Wisdom 7:7-11), speaks of the glory of wisdom. He preferred wisdom to every other thing and that was why he prayed for it. God heard his prayer and blessed him with an unimaginable wisdom which he used to govern his people to the admiration of all. Yet, being the custodian of wisdom, he never lacked those things he abandoned. Through the exercise of his wisdom, he gathered them in multiple folds. In other words, Solomon preferred wisdom to wealth.

On the contrary, the man in the gospel reading (Mark 10:13-30) preferred wealth to wisdom. He was fortunate to encounter Christ who is the Wisdom of God but instead of following him, he decided to follow his wealth. The rich man lived a virtuous life and for that reason, Jesus looked at him and loved him. Though he was rich in wealth, he was absolutely poor in wisdom. This necessitated Jesus’ terrifying response: “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God”.  

I think the Holy Writ provides the reason for the above saying, when it says: “in his riches, man lacks wisdom” (cf. Ps 49:12). Wisdom informs us of what is pleasing in the sight of God at each moment we are faced with challenges. This wisdom helps us to understand the value of what we have and are. Wisdom teaches us to consider all things as nothing (detachment), it also makes us use all things for the good of all (charity). This was the lesson the rich young man failed to understand because he lacked wisdom. For this reason, he was unable to follow Christ who is the source of the eternal life he desired.

Beloved friends, it is not enough to desire good. We must march our desires with corresponding actions. The man desired eternal life but could not work out eternal life. All we have are gifts from God and we ought not to love the gift more than the giver. Jesus never condemned wealth rather attachment to wealth. We become materialistic when we consider wealth to be the most important thing in life or engage in nefarious activities just to secure or maintain wealth.

Therefore, is there any material thing keeping you from following Jesus? Are you more interested in your position, function, beauty, wealth, intelligence or achievement more than you are in the things of God? Do you lack the wisdom to realize that “all is vanity” (cf. Ecc. 1:2)? Then why not seek this wisdom from the Word of God which according to the second reading (Hebrews 4:12-13) is “alive and active and can judge secret emotions and thoughts”.  

Through His Word, Jesus gives us a personal invitation to abandon all things and follow him who is the Wisdom of God, the Gate of Heaven and the Source of eternal life. Be disposed to follow him today. God loves you.

Happy Sunday. 

Reflection by:

Fr. Chibuike Uwakwe

WHAT IS MISSING IN YOUR MARRIAGE

HOMILY FOR THE 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR B

R1: Genesis 2:18-24

R/P: Psalm 127:1-5

R2: Hebrews 2:9-11

Accl: Jn17:17

Gospel: Mark 10:2-16 or Mark 10:2-12

Theme: "What is missing in your Marriage?"

Life is sweet and interesting when it is shared and lived for others! It is called Sacrifice. "Loving is hard. It frequently would mean death to self for the life of the other."* In all of creation, and "of all God's creation, only woman touches a sympathetic chord in the heart of man, and in a sudden surge of the sense of fulfilment, he exclaims: 'This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh...'" *Married life is unique, sweet, pleasant, tasking, but so difficult. Indeed, no life is perfect, no marriage is perfect, and no relationship is perfect; we must all keep up the struggle to make each day count for good.* Make Jesus a member of your family, if all is to work out well. 

 *Marriage is not for babies/children, but for matured minds, who are prepared for it.* If the key ingredients are missing in marriage, it won't last! *If you rush into marriage because your friends/mates are getting married, you will rush out of it or live in regrets.* Do you have a place for God in your marriage? Do you speak the same language of love? *Are you in that marriage because you didn't want to say No?* Are you fully committed to this new life of sacrifice called marriage?

 *In every fruitful marriage, there must be mutual respect, tolerance, loyalty and steadfast love of God.* St. Paul tells us, "Husbands love your wives... Wives respect your husbands."(Eph.5:25ff)  *"Divorce is only a disorder created by human beings."* In the beginning, God wills that they may be forever one. *Hence, a real marriage is between two ready forgivers who started as true friends.* No matter the challenges in marriage, couples are like silver and gold going through pressure and fire, to be refined. *The place of God is a key ingredient in marriage! Stay blessed, stay united, be hopeful in your marriage!* 

Reflection by

Fr Stephen Balogun