SPIRITUAL STOCK TAKING

REFLECTION FOR THE 18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – C

THEME: SPIRITUAL STOCK TAKING

R1:  Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23

R2: Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21

A story was told of a great king; Alexander the Great, who was one of the biggest rulers of ancient history. He conquered many parts of the world at the age of 32, built many empires and was very wealthy and famous. He was one of the greatest military generals and never lost any battle. One day, after conquering many kingdoms and was returning home, he became seriously ill. On his deathbed, conscious of his declining health and remembering the many empires he has built and the pleasurable life he has lived, he realized that all is vanity. Towards his final days on his deathbed, he wanted to go home and see his mother before his soul departed from this world. Knowing he will not last too long, he called his loyal generals and made three last to them which he pleaded they should carry out without fail. These became a life lesson for all. He pleaded, “When I die”, 

a. I want my physicians to carry my body. 

b. I want the path leading to my grave to be scattered with gold, silver and precious stones in my treasury while my body is being carried to be buried.

c. I want you to keep my both hands dangling out of my coffin.”

Being surprised of the king’s requests, one of his favourite generals asked him why he made such requests. The king replied, “I want everyone to learn three lessons that I have learned in my life.” 

a. I want physicians to carry my body alone because I want people to know that no doctor can cure people’s illness, especially when faced with death. No one can save you from death. Hence, do not take life for granted.

b. I want the path that leads to my grave to be scattered with gold, silver and precious stones for people to know that not even a faction of gold goes with me. Whatever we earn on earth remains here.  Hence, I want people to realize that it is a complete waste of time and life to  run after wealth and power.

c. I want my both hands to be dangling out of my coffin because I want people to know that we came empty-handed in this world and will go empty handed. 

The experience of Alexander the Great is what the preacher calls vanity in the first reading of today. Experience has shown that many people spend a lot of time labouring and preparing for the future while neglecting today. Most times, while we keep struggling and fighting over what we shall use in the future we fail to understand that we may not even be there to use what we have saved and the now is more important than the future. This is the problem of the rich man in the gospel reading. 

Notice that the rich man in the gospel reading has no name. This implies that it could be any of us and that Jesus is referring to all of us. The rich man was a very hardworking and claver man, who planned his life and worked towards having a better future. Unfortunately, he missed something very important in his plans. He never had any plan for his, family, neighbours, his workers or others while making arrangement for the future and this gave him the name, “Fool.” He was too self-centred and there lies his problem. His actions indicated that he did not care if others exited or not; the life of others meant nothing to him. And on that night, he died. What became of his riches? He left them behind for those he never had in mind.

The foolishness of this rich man could also be how foolish we may become when we think of ourselves alone; “In his riches man lacks wisdom” (Ps 49:20). With this parable, Jesus is giving an important life lesson; that we must consider others in all we do. No one is an island; we cannot live a life without others. Last Sunday, he taught that in our prayers we must say; “Give us this day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3). This prayer is a gentle reminder that others must always be part of our life. In teaching the requirements for entrance into the kingdom of God, Jesus says the love of neighbour is as essential and inseparable as the love of God (Mark 12:30). 

The second reading raises our minds to the kind of life expected of us who have become Christians by the virtue of our sacramental baptism. We are expected to live the life of heaven. *_What is the content of heavily life?_* The heavenly life is a Christ-like. It is a life of sacrifice, bearing in mind the good of others, just as Christ submitted his life for those who do not even deserve it. Hence, such life abhors selfishness. Selfishness is the mother of extreme pleasure which forgets the good of others and tends towards the satisfaction of the self, most times to the detriment of others. This was the major problem of the Rich Fool, which Jesus wants us to turn against. 

Dear friends, lets us retreat and take a stock of our journey so far. The story of the Rich Fool does not only leave a lesson for the wealthy rather for everyone who is selfish in whatever way and through whatever means. Those who have no money (treasure) must give love and attention, time and talent. We are therefore challenged to review our lives and to discover how selfless or selfish we have been. When we are faced with the difficult reality of our end, it is the love we have shown that will pave way for our entrance into God’s kingdom. 

Lord, make us to know the shortness of our life that we may gain wisdom of heart, Amen.

Homily by

Rev Fr. Chukwuemeka VINCENT Livinus, SMMM

UNDERSTANDING PRAYER

REFLECTION FOR 17TH SUNDAY Yr C

THEME: UNDERSTANDING PRAYER (Luke 11:1-13)

Few days ago, I met a friend who hasn't been to Church for sometime. I asked him, my friend,  what's happening, you suddenly disappeared from the Church. He said to me, "I don't need to come there everytime because, I don't know what I will be coming there to do." This his words got me confused and I said, "Please, how, what do you mean by you don't know what you are coming to do in the Church?" He said, "because the Church is a prayer house and I think I do not need to pray. I do not need to ask God for anything. I have everything I want and if I need anything more I will go and work to have that which I want."

In that confuse state, I  reflected, does it mean people pray because they need something from God? Does  it mean someone who is living a comfortable life does not need to pray? No wonder that people get sad and angry at God if they answer to their prayers is delayed, because they only see prayer as a REQUEST.

The readings of today clarify few things about prayer.

WHAT IS PRAYER?

The common definition of prayer is that it is the lifting up of our hearts and minds to God. This lifting of heart and mind to God presupposes a divine connection, because, since God is a spiritual being,  it is ONLY through this spiritual activity of lifting up of the two elements of the soul that we can connect with Him. Aside prayer, we can't have access to God.

WHY DO WE PRAY?

There are three main reasons why we pray.

A. We pray so that we remain in constant contact with our source or life. Hence, prayer sustains our communion and relationship with the divine. That is why, cut off from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Prayer makes us build a relationship with God. When Abraham formed this relationship, he bargained with God as a friend, on His impending doom upon Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18:20-32).

B. Because we need to connect with the source of our life, prayer reforms us, it remoulds us. Prayer helps us to undergo the transformation needed to remain in God.

C. Prayer supplies what we lack and multiplies what we have. Remember the encounter between Perter and Jesus. Peter’s ministry (fishing) was almost a failure until he encountered Jesus and he had a miraculous catch (Luke 5:1-11). In the same way, an encounter with God through prayer leads to a miraculous encounter. Also, even if we have everything,  we cannot buy the kingdom of God, hence, through prayer which connects us with God, we are sure of His Kingdom. 

HOW DO WE PRAY?

This is the challenge of many Christtians; we do not know how to pray.  Faced with this challenge, the disciples asked Jesus, "Master, teach us how to pray." (Lk 11:1). Jesus, in responding to their request taught them the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father...) In this prayer taught by Jesus,  we discover that prayer has the following patterns:

1. ADORATION: Aside asking for anything from God, it is a prayer when we only adore God. Hence, Jesus says, Our Father, Hallowed by thy name... (adoration). How many Christians make out time to just adore God without asking for anything?

2. CONTRITION: Asking for forgiveness is a responsible prayer. Hence, Jesus taught them to say, "Forgive us our sins" and we too must forgive those indebted to (who sin against) us. This is a prayer. We are all sinners in need of God's mercy. 

3. THANKSGIVING: We have received many things from God. At least, the gift of life is a blessing. It is a prayer when we only thank God for His wonders. In our common human experience,  if you give something to someone and he refuses to show appreciation, you will be sad because of his attitude. So does God react to our ungratefulness.

4. SUPPLICATION: This is the only pattern of prayer many Christians know. We only know how to ask God. Prayer is a request and it is in this request that Jesus supplies what we lack and multiplies what we have. Hence, He taught us to ASK, SEEK AND KNOCK and we shall have the response to our prayers. He said we should pray this way, GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILLY BREAD. Jesus's emphasis on OUR DAILY BREAD, demands that even when we pray we should not be selfish. Our prayer should be about what we need now and not beyond what we need. We should also consider  the needs of others. 

One who understands these will no longer find prayer boring but a necessary way of connecting with God. Remember,  "Prayer is the key, prayer is the master key. Jesus started with prayer and ended with prayer. Prayer is the master key.

God bless you 🙏 

Fr Chukwuemeka VINCENT Livinus, SMMM.

WAYS OF RESPONDING TO GOD’S CALL

REFLECTION FOR THE 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME  Year C

THEME: WAYS  OF RESPONDING TO GOD’S CALL

R1: Genesis 18:1-10

R2: Colossians 1:24-28

Gospel: Luke:10 :38-42_

Dear friends, our creation by God communicates His divine intention for us. It is an invitation for us to answer the call of loving, serving and uniting with Him at last. Through our baptism, we respond to this call by accepting a special duty of (i) hospitality to our neighbours, (ii) suffering for the sake of the gospel, and (iii) connecting with Christ through listening to his Word. These three aspects go together and are essential in preparing us for the final unification with God at. The readings of today explain these three aspects and their importance in our Christian journey. 

In the first reading, hospitality as the first aspect of responding to God is explained.  Abraham attended to his visitors, without knowing they were God’s messengers. He sacrificed his time and treasure for God’s people and this merited him a favour (a child) from God. Martha also demonstrated this aspect of hospitality when she attended to Jesus; their great guest.  These communicate an essential aspect of our call as Christians, which is to take care and be hospitable to others.  Kindness shown to others is a kindness shown to God and there is no amount of kindness shown that will not be rewarded. Remember, God loves a cheerful giver. Just as we read last Sunday, let us always be the Good Samaritan to others, like Abraham and Martha today.

Our experiences as Christians differ. Some people are being appreciated and loved for being Christians while in many situations others are hated and persecuted. If our experience is the ugly one, St Paul tells us in the second reading that persecution is part of responding to God’s call. While preaching Christ, he suffered many trying times. This experience is still common even now where Christians are being insulted, abused and even killed for the sake of God. These trying times should not make a Christian change from doing the right thing and professing the good news of salvation. Being assured of the blessedness which awaits  those who are persecuted for righteousness sake and are insulted for his name, there is need to remain unwavering in faith for the kingdom of God will be our reward (Mt 5:10-12).

In the midst of the above two aspects of responding to God’s call, the ultimate is listening to the word of God and contemplation. This is the aspect Jesus told Martha that Mary has chosen in the Gospel reading. Jesus told Martha that Mary has chosen a BETTER PART which no one would collect from her. This indicates that as a disciple of Christ, this is an indispensible approach. Whether we are champions in hospitality or suffering a lot of persecutions for the sake of Christ, there is need to always remain connected to Jesus by hearing his voice again and again. Unfortunately, many Christians do not consider this aspect as important.

Sometime ago, I was discussing with a man who said he is a Christian but due to the nature of his work he hardly has time for God. Surprisingly he said that he is performing his Christian duty being charitable, hence, he is good to go. When I asked him about his prayer life, he said no, he does not pray. I asked him if he makes out time to read the Bible but he said he has no Bible. Funny enough, many Christians belong to this category. There are many Christians who claim to be too busy, they do not pray, some do not read the Bible, many do not even have the Bible, many of those who have it do not read it. How then can we comfortably say then that we are Christians? If you love someone, you will like to hear the person’s voice. In the same way, if we love Jesus, we must love hearing his voice. 

The word of God strengthens us, it keeps us going, it revives us, and it nourishes us. Therefore my friends, while _‘we go about doing the work of God, let us not forget the God of work’_, by not mapping out a little time for contemplation.

*Rev Fr Chukwuemeka VINCENT Livinus, SMMM.

DIVINE RELATIONSHIP

REFLECTION FOR 15TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – Year C

THEME: DIVINE RELATIONSHIP

R1 Deut 30:10-14

R2 Col 1:15-20

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

In the penny Catechism of the Catholic Church, we read: “God created us to know Him, to love Him, serve Him and to unite with Him at last.” These words make clear the primary intention of our being created; union with God or an eternal relationship. This desire to unite with God has been inherent in every human history, even before the existence of our father in faith (Abraham) even though such move was unclear. From the time of Abraham we started having a clearer view of this divine intention with the people having to make several consultations from witchdoctors and priests, to seek ways to please God and overcome some calamities. Christians today are privileged to have the Bible which contains the word of God and the things we must do to have eternal life. 

In the first reading of today, Moses addresses the people that the law of the Lord which they seek is not far from them; that it is written in their hearts. This gives us a clue of our Christian relationship. We become Christians because we love God and want to have eternal life through His Son. The final end of our Christian journey is to see God face to face. Moses, in the first reading is saying, that if we must come to this reality of seeing God or relating with Him, we must make our hearts pure by keeping his commandments. This commandment is written in our hearts, meaning they are the common things we know around us. Let us therefore set aside from our hearts, bias, prejudice, envy, anger, jealousy, etc.  These will help us get closer to what God wants and thus establish an eternal relationship with him.

According to the first reading, the Word of God is in our mouth and heart. These are two important related symbolisms. The Word of God on the lips means it must be proclaimed and profess. This we do every Sunday and solemnities when we say the creed (I believe in God...). This is the vertical dimension of our faith relationship with God, for, ‘By professing with your lips that Jesus is Lord, you are saved’ (Rom 10:9). This profession of faith is incomplete without coming from the heart. The heart is the centre of love, from the heart flows compassion. If we believe in God, let us be compassionate just as our heavenly Father is (Lk 6:36), Who, not minding our unworthiness sent His Son, out of love to die for us and to bring us salvation.

Compassion makes more meaning when offered to those who do not deserve it. This is the centre of the story of the Good Samaritan. 

There was no formal relation between the Jews and the Samaritan; yet, the Good Samaritan ignored all ethnic barriers just to save the life of the dying Jew. Jesus in the  is challenging us that if we really profess faith in God, if we love Him, then our love should move us to go and extra mile in being compassionate. Our love for God is proven through the love we show to others, even those who do not deserve it.

In the story of the Good Samaritan, the priest and Levite (Jews) saw the man (a Jew) beaten up and left half dead by bandits passed by another road. Possibly, they did this to avoid profaning themselves against their call. They were not considered good for avoiding tending to the man in need or neighbours of the man, except the Samaritan whose act gave him the title, ‘good’. Jesus is therefore warning us against being insensitive to the need of the helpless. Our love for God should push us to consider the flight of the needy and the helpless. There is no reason that justifies our refusal to show love and compassion. Remember, ‘Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me.’(Mt 25:40). 

Dear friends, we can only show we love God by being sensitive to others’ need. It is through love and compassion shown to others that we shall be candidates of heaven; those who will enjoy an eternal relationship with God.  This is the fulfilment of the commandment. 

Rev Fr Chukwuemeka VINCENT Livinus, SMMM

WE ARE GOD’S MESSENGERS

REFLECTION FOR FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR – C

*THEME: WE ARE GOD’S MESSENGERS

R1: Isaiah 66:10-14, 

R2: Galatians 6:14-18,

Gospel: Luke 10:1-12,17-20_

The Israelites are considered the chosen people of God. They entered into a special relationship with Him, and promised to be His people while He will be their God. When they repeatedly refused to keep to the words of the covenant, God abandoned them. They suffered gravely in absence of God in their lives and this made them cry to the Lord. In today’s First Reading, God heard their cry and sent them the message of consolation through the prophet Isaiah. The prophet invites them to rejoice since God has heard their cry. He told them that even though they may be facing difficult moments now, in a very short time their mourning will be over since God will embrace them and feed them as a mother suckles her child.

This message of Isaiah today extends to all Christians. We have chosen to enter into a relationship with God through our profession of faith in His Son. This makes us special in His sight. However, just like the Israelites many times we are thrown into serious life challenging situations that may shake our faith. Today we are being encouraged to remain faithful to His commandments, believing that even though we may be experiencing challenging situations and a wild spread of evil, in a short time His promise will come to fulfilment and a better world in His kingdom will be our heritage. This message must be dispensed to all Christians especially to those who have lost hope.

St Paul in the Second Reading, reemphasizes this need to be the voice of the voiceless and givers of hope to the hopeless as he spoke for the Galatians who were place under the burden of law; to undergo circumcision before becoming Christians as an outward appearance of their belongingness. St Paul boats of the cross of Jesus as his only outward appearance and encourages every Christian to make boast of the Cross as their only outward appearance they possess. The cross of Christ is a symbol of sacrificial love; this should remain what we should hold on to as concrete example of our followership. It should inspire us to love just as Christ did.

To demonstrate that this call is not just for the ordained, the Gospel Reading uses wonderful images that show the universality of this call and how we are to go about it. Jesus appoints seven two (72) others, sending them ahead of the towns where he himself was to visit (Lk 10:1). The number seventy has is a symbolic biblical implication of completeness in the Jewish setting (Genesis 10). By appointing seventy two others, Jesus is not limiting the proclamation of the Gospel to the old Jewish elders’ setting rather to all his followers all over the world.

All Christians must bear in mind that we have a duty preparing the minds of others for the coming of Christ. We are to let them know that it is through Christ that we shall have salvation. Upon the possession of salvation, there will be an end to the many challenges we face and the evil in the world. Anyone who will go for this mission must:

(i) Belong to the community of God’s people; you cannot do it alone by yourself (He sent them in pairs).

(ii) Be prepared to face the dangerous wolves who are the enemies of God and who will want to oppose your effort (Sheep in the midst of wolves).

(iii) Bear in mind that the mission not for any personal gain but for God (carry no purse, no harversack) .

(iv) Due the urgency of the message, avoid every form of distraction by not stopping to salute anyone on the way (salute no one on the way).

(v) Even when you meet people whose ways are ungodly, do not begin to abuse them, your greetings should rather be, ‘Peace be with you’ (whoever you meet let your first words be peace be with you).

(vi) Be charitable, helping those who are in need(heal the sick).

(vii) Don’t fight them if they refuse to believe rather leave in peace without carrying anything away from that town including the dust from under your foot (shake off the dust under your foot).

Jesus expects that these approaches will lead to conversion of the world which will even shock the devil. This is the power every Christian has been given. Should we put these to practise then we shall see that there will be a harmonious world without anyone having to fight another.

*Rev Fr. Chukwuemeka VINCENT Livinus, SMMM*