TEMPTATION: KNOW YOUR LIMIT

HOMILY FOR 1ST SUNDAY OF LENT  YEAR A

THEME: TEMPTATION: KNOW YOUR LIMIT

R1 Gen 2:7-9; 3: 1-7

R2: Rom 5: 12 - 19

Gospel: Mt 4: 1 - 1

Dear friends, welcome to the first Sunday of Lent. The Lenten season is a period of spiritual renewal and reconciliation. It is a time we are expected to pray and struggle against evil. Within this time we ask God for courage so that we may change our ways and believe in the Gospel.

The readings of today invite us to be conscious of temptation and sin as well. In the first reading, we read about the story of our first parents; Adam and Eve. God created them and put them in the garden of Eden. They were to eat from every tree in the garden except from the tree in the middle of the garden; the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Being deceived by the serpent they ate of the tree they were forbidden to eat.

The picture of Adam and Eve in the garden represents our picture,men and women alike in the world. We have been created by God to live free in the world. Not minding the freedom we are to enjoy, there is a limit we must not cross, this represents the tree we must not eat from. Hence, we must be very conscious of the temptation to break away from the limit we must not cross. We must be conscious of those who want to seduce us into crossing this limit, these represent the seductive serpent. When we break into this domain of God, the result will be curses. 

The forty days of fasting of Jesus reminds us  that we are on a journey in this world. This journey is like a journey in the desert as in the experience of Israelites to the promised land, so also shall we enter the promised land of heaven if we live well. Therefore, we must be careful of the following temptations which may confront us and are capable of driving us away:

1. Desire for pleasure: Like the Israelites in the desert and like Jesus,  we shall be hungry. We may be confronted by many worldly pleasures that may want to push us beyond our limits. Let us not forget that whatever  we do or desire must be in accordance with the commandments of God always. Pleasure alone does not give happiness.

2. Position: Because we are Christians,  we enjoy a special relationship with God which places us on a high level of being the sons and daughters of God. However, sometimes we are tempted to say God has forgotten us, especially when we meet some confronting situations. The Israelites were faced with this situation when they experienced hunger and drought, thus, they murmured against God and abandoned God. Life challenges should not make us deny God.

We must avoid asking God to show us a sign as a proof of His love or for us to do His will. Let us be careful and not allow what we are to lead us away from God. God who created us will always save us at his time. Let us avoid asking for a sign as a proof of our love.

3. Desire for power: In the desert, the Israelites got tired of God and bowed to the golden calf. Do we at some point feel God is dead especially when we ask and don’t receive from Him? Do we at some point feel God lacks the power to save us? Jesus did not yield to the clutches of the devil even when he promised to give him the earth. Let what we want not make us bow to an inferior power.

Temptation comes through seduction. It is a seduction to go against God’s plan and will. Like I’m the case of Adam and Eve and Jesus as well, the devil tries to make a grave to look less grievous and pushes one to make a choice of what is outside our domain. Let us always be conscious of our limits and against God’s will for us.

Homily by 

Rev. Fr. Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.

RAISING OUR SPIRITUAL STANDARD

HOMILY FOR 7TH SUNDAY OF YEAR A

THEME: RAISING OUR SPIRITUAL STANDARD

R1: Lev 19: 12; 17 -18

R2: 1 Cor 3: 16 - 23

 Gospel: Mt 5: 38 - 48

Today’s first reading begins with a strong and challenging demand; “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.” This statement sets the pace for today’s reflection. Thus, we may ask, what is the intention of this demand?

In ancient tradition, holiness means “setting aside, reserved for God or different from others.” People, places and objects  were set aside, apart from others for religious purposes. These were declared holy because they were reserved for God or for religious purposes only and were never to be confused with other things of circular use. The people of Israel were called holy because they were set aside by their covenantal relationship and were to live a life different from others by following the commandments of God. 

Therefore, when the first reading of today says, “Be holy…” it is demanding that we must be different from others. It is challenging us that through our character we must show that we have been set apart for God because of our special commitment as Christians. This does not mean a physical separation rather it is a demand for an interior separation, that is, to lead a life different from others. The life we should lead must reflect the life of God, who loves all without segregation. God sends rain to the just and unjust; He does not only love those who love him, he forgives even though we have slapped Him on the face many times, He does not treat us according to our sins (an eye for an eye). He is compassionate and love. This character must always reflect in the lives of His followers. We must learn to love like God, not just our lovers like the world does, but our enemies as well. The simplest way to demonstrate love for the enemy is by praying for their repentance instead of destruction.This is the meaning of being holy as our God is holy; it is putting up the right attitude.

Why must we act this way, why must we be holy, why must we put up this attitude? St Paul in the second reading answers, because,  "We are temples of the Holy Spirit, and God lives among us." The implication of being the temple of the Holy Spirit recalls three instances:

 1. We are created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26-28).

2.  And after the creation of man, God breathed upon him His Spirit, and he became a living being (Gen 2:7).

3. During our baptism and confirmation in a special way, we received the Holy Spirit.

These instances present us to the forefront of reflecting that which is us. They challenge us to put into practice what is in us. Like St Paul would say, we must be ready to fan into flame the gift of God in us (2 Tim 1:6). These challenge us to raise up our spiritual standard and never to remain in the ordinary level. This is the meaning of holiness for which the readings challenge us to embrace. Refusing to fan into flame that spirit in us or lowering our spiritual standard will attract rejection, destruction, and condemnation by God.

Therefore, let us brace up for action, let us reflect what and who we are.

 May God help us to raise our spiritual standards, Amen.

Homily by 

Rev Fr Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM.

DISCIPLESHIP: GOING EXTRA MILE

HOMILY FOR 6TH SUNDAY OF YEAR A

DISCIPLESHIP: GOING EXTRA MILE

R1: Sir 15: 15-20

R2: 1 Cor 2: 6 - 10

Gospel: Mt 5:17 - 37

Today Jesus continues with the Sermon on the Mount. Very repeatedly today Jesus said; “You have heard how it was said…. But I say to you…! This statement indicates the intention of Jesus preaching today. 

One may be wondering if Jesus by this statement is intending to make a separation from what has been taught by the prophets,  but he declared, I have not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Mt 5:17). Notwithstanding, Jesus teaching today is meant for a selected few; his disciples (Christians). The intention of his teaching today is to challenge the disciples not to remain in the ordinary level of their religiosity but to go an extra mile in their followership. Hence, he said, if your  virtue does not go deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter into the kingdom of God (Mt 5:20).

How do the scribes and Pharisees live, why does Jesus expect the uprightness of his followers to go beyond that of scribes and the Pharisees? Scripture made us understand that these people teach a different thing while their actions communicate different things. They never practice what they preach, rather they lay boardings on the people which they themselves are not willing to lift (Mt 23:13,15,23,25,27).

Therefore, Jesus challenges our actions so that  we may not only avoid evil but to do good for in this lies the strength of Christian. These extended beatitudes are aimed at drawing us closer to God as well as our neighbour. While we strive to avoid evil and remain in good relationship with God, we are to totally refrain from those acts that are capable of leading us to sin.

Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, these are the steps  Jesus wants us to adopt. (1). Since people are most times influenced by what they hear and are taught, we must watch against misleading others and teaching them the wrong thing for acts like this can send one to hell. (2). Against the commandment not to kill, Jesus warns us not to be angry at all or to be in control of our anger. It is anger that can push one to take another’s life. (3). About forgiveness, Jesus wants the offended to make the first move towards reconciliation and not just to wait for the offender to make the first move. This is following his example, for not minding that we have sinned against God, He took the first step by sending His Son to come and reconcile us with God. (4). Against adultery, we must be masters of our looks. It is what we look at that pushes us to  acts that are adulterous. Build a responsible friendship and relationship that does not make the other an object to be exploited instead. 

Dear friends, our daily living in the world places us on the crossroad of choice, either to choose the way of God and have life or away from God and die away. These beatitudes present before us the way we should follow so that we shall have life in God. Let us avoid being logical like the pagans who see the commandments of God as what is outdated. 

Homily by:

*Rev Fr Chukwuemeka Vincent Livinus, SMMM*

YOUR LIGHT MUST SHINE!

Homily recipe for the 5th Sunday of Yr A 2023: YOUR LIGHT MUST SHINE!

by Benedict Agbo (Rev Fr)

* Is 58: 7 - 10, 1Cor 2: 1 - 5, Matt 5: 13 - 16.

*A. PREAMBLE*

The greatest tragedy of modern day Christianity is the preponderance of dormant Christians - like tasteless salts and lightless lamps - it is the tragedy of a non - practicing brand of Christianity. Why are there so many non practicing Christians in our society today? So many non wedded, non communicant and non cathechised Catholics, for example. Yet they like to come to church like 'Sunday - Sunday medicine' - they are only  'Weekend believers' who seem to remember that God exists only on Sunday morning. They have no Bible, no knowledge of the Word of God, no serious Private prayer life nor Family prayer life. 

The scriptures prophesied that in the last days people will manifest the following characteristics in their religion;

(i) Lovers of themselves and lovers of money. 

(ii) Boastful, proud, abusive and disobedient to their parents. 

(iii) Ungrateful, unholy, without love and slanderous. 

(iv) Without self control, brutal, treacherous and conceited. 

(v) Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 

(vi) Having a form of religion but denying its power, 2 Tim 3: 1 - 5. 

(vii) It will be a cross - less version of Christianity. 

*B. THE METAPHOR OF SALT & LIGHT*

Salt is the symbol of sharing and preservation. As we don't usually like tasteless salt free diets , so is a society where there is no love and sharing of ideas and resources. An unshared life is not worth living. As salt preserves food from putrefaction, so do practising Christians preserve the society from moral and political decay. Christ says we are the salt of the earth. 

Light is the signal for direction. It helps us to see where we are going. Our credo says of Jesus: 'God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made'.  Today's 1st reading says 'your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be as noonday'. The gospel says: 'You are the light of the world - a city set on a hill cannot be hidden... Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven'. This is what Christians should be in our society. So what is happening? What has really gone wrong? 

*C. CROSS - LESS CHRISTIANITY*

A cross - less version of Christianity has been introduced by the enemy - a version of Christianity that wants to manipulate God to blend into our whims and caprices - that makes us command and pressurize God in prayer - that reduces prayer to the mere articulation of our heart's desires with little or no resonance with the will of God. This is one of the bad influences of pentecostalism and neopaganism. Today's 2nd reading makes it clear that we should emphasize nothing but Jesus Christ crucified. So much human philosophy, homilitic finese, theological eloquence without the discipline of the Cross denies Christianity of its main kernel; power, love and self control, 2 Tim 1: 6. 

*D. CONCLUSION* 

Your spiritual light must shine this year. You must be born again so that you can exert an antiseptic influence on your society. Find out your own area of assignment and put on the candle of Christ there. It may be to instruct your children properly in the way of Christ. It may be to admonish that corrupt friend of yours. It may be to show others example of how to give generous offerings in the Church or donate land for Church buildings. It may be to show others how to serve or exercise self control during Christian gatherings. It may be to help eliminate examination malpractice among your classmates. It may be to maintain peace and order in your community. It may to help mobilize your nation for good governance.... Whatever it is, discover your light and let it shine! 

You can't afford to operate any longer without the knowledge of the Word of God. Get yourself a bible this year and join the evening Bible study going on in your Parish every Sunday. Get more devoted to the Eucharist and try to receive it more frequently within the week and in the state of grace. Ceaze to be just a 'weekend believer' or 'Sunday Sunday Christian'.  Be more punctual with Church activities and let the light of Christ begin to shine in your life. Happy Sunday dear friends!