BEING TRUE TO YOUR CHRISTIAN FAITH

REFLECTION FOR 8TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR C

*Theme: BEING TRUE TO YOUR CHRISTIAN FAITH*

R1: Sir 27:4-7

R2: 1 Cor 15:54-58

Gospel:  Lk 6: 39-45

Dear friends in Christ, today’s readings challenge us to be true to our faith, by being active to the teachings of Christ instead of rendering a lips service. The readings leave us with the following lessons that will help us to be true to Faith in our Christian calling:

*1. Our Actions Define Us:* There is a common saying that action speaks louder than voice. The first reading of today challenges us to be in total control of what we say and allow our actions to speak more. “Just as a tree is known by the quality of fruit it bears, so also does a person’s word betray what he feels” (Sir 7:6).

Dear friends, we cannot fake our faith or think of deceiving others by our appearances if our inside communicates a different thing from what we preach or profess. This is part of the major reasons why many people do not believe in God any longer. It also part of the major reasons why some people are abandoning the Christian faith because among many of us Christians, what we preach to people is different from what we do and how we behave.

People easily get scandalized and discouraged because some of our attitudes as Christians are totally different from what Christ preaches. We should therefore make effort to be what we preach. Our actions should be a louder message of God. Let us remember that Christianity is not just a name but an attitude that should be worn by us, remembering that it was from the actions of the followers of Jesus that they were given the name, Christian. (Act 11:13).

*2. Be Mindful of False Teachers:* 

“A blind man cannot lead a blind man, if they do, the both will fall into a pit” (Lk 6:39). In the early Church, baptised Christians were regarded as “the enlightened” because the water of baptism has opened their eyes. That is the case till this day for in baptism we receive the light of Christ which enlightens us and make us to clearly the way of God.

However, there are Christian ministers who consider themselves better Christians than others by teaching what Christ did not teach. In the world today we also see this clearly in some of the laws that are being invented which are different from the intention of Christ. To allow ourselves to be misled by wrong teachings is to allow ourselves to become blind and to be led by another blind person and the destination is the pit of hell and destruction.

Therefore, let us be mindful of those we follow. Let us be mindful of what we listen to. Let us be mindful of the teachings and laws we accept and practise. Let us make effort to set our priorities right to avoid being led astray and falling into the pit of hell.

*3. The Self-Righteousness Syndrome:*

 Since after the fall of Adam and Eve, the struggle against the allures of the worldly pleasures and seeking self happiness has been a challenge for the whole human race and for God’s elect in particular. The implication is that no human being is free from it. Even though we are given different graces on how to manage this situation, some have considered themselves perfect and supper against this struggle for perfection. Their little efforts are already being considered by them as perfection, thereby judging and condemning others. To these, Christ ask; “Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank on your own?”

Today, Christ is calling on us to be very mindful of the self-righteousness mentality. There is hardly any Christian that is more Christian than others. There is no Christian who is without sin. We should make more effort constantly to improve our relationship with Christ instead of judging others and condemning them. We cannot be more than the master who was exemplary. We cannot be more than Christ who was a lover of sinners. It is important that we realise the need to be vigilant against our ego and pride. We have to be humble, rid ourselves of pride and seeking the glories of the world to avoid being led astray. 

Putting the above things in mind and being true to our faith will help us bear the right fruit for which Christians are known. May God bless His Words in our hearts through Christ our Lord, Amen.

*Reflection by Fr Chukwuemeka Livinus V. SMMM*

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

REFLECTION FOR 7TH SUNDAY OF YEAR C 

R1:  1 Sam 26:2;7-9; 12-13; 22-23, 

R2: 1 Cor 15: 45-49, 

Gospel: Lk 6:27-38

*Theme: Love Your Enemy*

Dear friends in Christ, listening to the gospel reading of today and its demands, one is left with wonder on the possibility of practising the demands of the gospel. How can I love my enemy, how can I pray for the one that persecutes me? This is a big challenge for us Christians. Thus, how can we discern the mind of Jesus? The demands of the gospel leave us with the following lessons:

*1. What to do when confronted with evil:*

There is no doubt that being a Christian is not a bed of roses. It is never an easy experience being a Christian; _*it is not an easy road.*_ Hence, Christ says, “I am sending you as sheep among  wolves (Mt 10:16).”  The patience of a Christian will be tried, the piety of a Christian will be taken as a weakness, and the love of a Christian will be repaid with hatred and rejection. These and more constitute the enemy that confronts a Christian and this is the subject of the gospel reading of today.

How to overcome this challenge, the gospel reading states: “Love your enemy, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly.” Notice that there are four important solutions suggested by the gospel; *i. Love, ii. Do good, iii. Bless, iv. Pray.* These are the possible solutions to be adopted. It becomes very clear that Jesus is discouraging any form of revenge and is encouraging going an extra mile in our religiosity. The target here is making first step towards the wrong doer and the aim is reconciliation and never to pay back evil for evil. Jesus understands that even we Christians can, out of our own weakness offend others and if they are to fight back, there will be no peace on earth and that is why he gives us the golden rule, “Treat others as you would like them treat you” (Lk 6:31).

*2. Being Imitators of Christ:*

Christ teaching on love of enemy may be seen as a high levelled Christianity. That is why in gospel reading rightly says: “If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them” (Lk 6:32).

Christ is not intending that we should remain in the ordinary level. His intention is to challenge our look warm Christianity and to follow after his example, thus, the gospel says, “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate” (Lk 6:36). God has shown us the example, that while we were still sinners, He took the first step towards reconciliation with Him, sent His only begotten Son to come and die for us and bring us salvation. We too must do likewise towards our neighbours, including our enemy.

*3. We are God’s Anointed:* 

Being anointed could mean, being chosen for a particular religious activity. The first reading of today gives us an important reason why we should not revenge our enemy. Saul who was pursuing David to kill him fell into the trap David, who had every reason to kill him, but David spared his life, saying, “God forbid that I should raise my hand against the Lord’s anointed” (1Sam 26:11).

It is good we understand that by the virtue of being created in the image and likeness of God, and by the virtue of our sharing in the breathe of God and by the water of our baptism, every human being shares ontologically in this divine anointing, because, we all have been set apart for a particular purpose of *“Knowing Him, loving Him, serving Him, and being happy with Him forever”* and there is no human power or human person that should thwart this divine intention. No matter what someone may have done, no reason can justify taking the life of another or revenge. It is not within our power to take another person’s life because we didn’t give life to anyone. Going contrary to this is entering into the domain of God; hence we can’t escape without facing the anger of God. David understood this very well and he said, “No one can touch the Lord’s anointed without being punished” (1 Sam 26:9).

Dear friends, this is a big challenge before us Christians today. However, with Christ by our side we shall do bravely. May the Lord help us to be compassionate and kind after His own example, through Christ our Lord, *Amen.*

*_Fr. Vincent Chukwuemeka Livinus, SMMM._*

THE FOUR BLESSINGS AND FOUR WOES OF JESUS

HOMILY FOR THE 6TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR C

R1: Jeremiah 17:5-8

R2: 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20

Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26

THEME: THE FOUR BLESSINGS AND FOUR WOES OF JESUS (for those who trust and those who distrust in God respectively)

Our homily of today will centre on the gospel reading. In today’s gospel reading, what is entitled the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Mathew has become the Sermon on the Plain in the gospel of Luke. St. Luke reaches to all the followers of Christ. 

Today, Jesus is addressing all of us as he once addressed his first disciples. The sermon is known as the Magna Carta, a kind of manifesto or mission statement. The summary of this manifesto is TRUST. Without trust in God we cannot be worthy of the name Christian. It is this trust in God that attracts the blessings of God while distrust brings us woes.

Prophet Jeremiah in the first reading describes those who put their trust in God as a tree planted by the water, that sends out its roots by the stream and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green. It is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.

In the second reading St. Paul encourages us to put all our trust in the resurrected Christ. If Christ has not been raised, our faith would have been futile and we would have remained in our sins.

Meanwhile, in the gospel periscope Jesus presents four blessings and four woes. Those who put their trust in God will merit the blessings and those do not trust God will merit for themselves woes.

In the pronouncement of the four blessings, Jesus tells us that God must be the most important person, entity and reality in our lives and this is the new law, the source of authentic and reliable happiness for any follower of him. 

The blessings are as follows:

1. Blessed are the poor in heart for theirs is the kingdom of God.

2. Blessed are the hungry for they shall be satisfied.

3. Blessed are those who mourn now for they shall be happy.

4. Blessed are those who are hated for the sake of the Gospel for theirs is the kingdom of God.

On the other hand, woe to those who do not put their trust in God but in riches, food, earthly pleasure, worldly recognitions;

1. The rich have received their consolation

2. The full now shall be hungry

3. Those who are happy now shall weep  

4. Those that are spoken well of by everyone now, will be treated like the false prophets.

Dear friends in Christ, cursed are they who put their trust in man, money, power, juju (Marabo) or anything created. These things cannot save us. Only God alone can save us. Our power and money can never save us.

Before we leave this church today, let us ask ourselves some basic questions. Where does my strength lie? Is it in money, in my power, or in God? Is my life barren simply because I focus mainly on material things, status, security, personal appearance, properties and fat bank accounts?

Let us always remember  that what defines and enhances our lives is not what we have but the quality of life. Every strength, every power, all sustenance come from God. If we are aware of this truth and live according to it, we shall be like that tree planted beside a river, that does not fear the period of drought rather remains ever green and bears fruits in season and out of season.

TRUST AND OBEY FOR THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO BE HAPPY...

Reflection by:

Rev. Fr. Remigius Okonkwo,SMMM

HAVING A DIVINE ENCOUNTER

REFLECTION FOR THE 5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

R1 Isaiah 6:1-8,

R2 1 Cor 15:1-11, 

Gospel Lk 5:1-11

THEME: HAVING A DIVINE ENCOUNTER

My dear friends in Christ, I welcome you to this Sunday’s reflection. Last Sunday we called to mind that we all are God’s spokesperson and have been endowed with different gifts which we are to use in preaching God’s love, even though we may experience some opposition even from our friends and family.

From today’s readings, Isaiah encounters God in the first reading, Paul narrates his encounter with Christ in the second reading and Peter encounters Christ in the gospel reading. These different encounters challenge us and leave us with the following lessons:

1. Being Conscious of Our Unworthiness:

 In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah encounters God. This encounter exposes his unworthiness just as the encounter between Christ and Peter exposed Peter’s unworthiness. Yet, Isaiah was called to be a prophet. Paul, a persecutor was admitted as preacher and Peter was invited to become a fisher of men (an apostle). 

What keeps troubling my mind is: why will God call these people even in their unworthy state? Ordinary human experience seem to explain this. If we happen to encounter two doctors; the one that listens to my complaints and after my complaints gives me diagnoses and places me on medication and another who after listening to me tells me, “There is nothing to worry about, we shall find a solution to your challenge, I have experienced what you are experiencing and was fine after.” I, suppose, we shall trust the later doctor more, not just because of his expertise in handling the case but because he has experienced my challenge and later became fine. So also, God calls these people because of the experience they have had. They are considered worthy for the mission. You remember the saying, *_“Experience is the best teacher.”_* That is why Jesus had to come down instead of staying there in heaven to activate our salvation. Jesus had our human experience.

An important lesson here is that, no human; priest, prophet, minister or anyone is worthy and complete before God yet we all are chosen.  That is why we are not to judge anyone.

2. Our Unworthiness should not Discourage Us:

 I have heard some people say that there is no need to go for confession or pray for forgives since after pleading for forgives one goes back to the same sin. 

My dear friends in Christ, the truth is that one’s sin should make him/her cry more for God’s mercy. Isaiah’s unworthiness did not make him run away from God and his message. The weakness of Peter did not make him run away as an apostle rather he was desirous for God’s forgiveness. When Adam/Eve hid from God after their sin, they were punished; the same was the case Cain after killing Abel. David’s sin made him recognize the need for God’s forgiveness and he remained a friend of God.  Isaiah’s confession made God purify his lips, forgiven and made fit for the work (Is 6:6-7). Peter’s confession made Christ forgive him and admitted into the collage of the apostle (Lk 5:8,10). Remember, *“...cut off from me, you can do nothing”* (Jn 5:5b). Do not run away from God, He forgives even the darkest sin (Is 1:18).

3. No Amount of Prayer is too Much:

 One day, a young girl told me how she has prayed for a year and half for a particular intention without receiving an answer to her prayers and how she has vowed never to pray again. I also know that many people are in her shoes in this regard.

Notwithstanding, our gospel reading today teaches us an important lesson. Peter had laboured all through the night (the best time for fishing) and caught nothing even though he was a professional fisherman. In our human understanding we may say he has failed. When he encountered Christ, he was told to put out his net for a catch (by a non-professional fisherman; Christ).  Even though he almost doubted, he tried again and what marvellous catch he had. 

You may have prayed for years and have gotten no answer. What you need to do is to pray again and again. You will have a miraculous experience of an answered prayer.  Do not forget the response of Peter when Christ told him to lower his net again, “... Lord, if you say so, I will” (Lk 5:5). Hence the best way to have a prayer answered is by submitting to the will of God.

4. Enter the Boat of Peter:

 Do you notice that for sometimes now Jesus has been preaching in the synagogue but today he preaches from the boat of Peter. The boat is a symbolical representation of the Church and Peter represents the authority on which the Church was founded.

Jesus preaching from the boat came at the moment when many people were pressing round him. My friends in Christ, it is important we identify with the Church always. No matter how busy we are, let us make out time and go to the Church so that we can listen to Christ who preaches to us through the Church. With this identification with the church, we shall have tremendous encounter of God who will help us fill our own boats (houses) with a great number of fishes (blessings) beyond our expectations.

Let us ask God to help us have an encounter of Him, an encounter that will shape us and remould us, so that we can courageously like the Psalmist join the angels in praising Him, Amen.

Reflection by

Fr. Livinus Chukwuemeka, SMMM