HOMILY FOR THE EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF YEAR B

 HOMILY ON THE EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME OF YEAR B

Exodus 16:2-4. 12-15, Ephesians 4:17. 20-24, John 6:24-35

THEME: LOOK FOR JESUS FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

After the miracle of the loaves which we read about last Sunday, the crowd came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him “Rabbi”, when did you come here? Jesus answered them “very truly I tell you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves”. Jesus knew they were looking for their fill, nothing more than that. He knew that they had selfish motives.

Today, we heard the story of how the people flocked to Jesus. That’s the good news. They wanted to be with Jesus. That’s good, but what is not so good is why they wanted to be with Jesus. Just as the crowd in today’s gospel followed Jesus primarily for a selfish reason, often people today follow Jesus for selfish reasons. If our faith is based on miracles, it will simply collapse when the miracles are not forthcoming. Those whose faith is so conditional and deficient easily look for an alternative when they are in need. They perch from one religion to another and from one soothsayer to another. Our focus as Christians should be on how to love and serve the Lord with our hearts. Thus there is need to purify your intention instead of practicing a utilitarian faith.

Moreso, Jesus advised his interlocutors to believe in the one that God has sent, unfortunately, they were on different wavelengths; they remained on the level of desire for material nourishment, by demanding sign from Him. Jesus finally reminded them that he is the bread of life. “He who comes to me will never be hungry, he who believes in me will never thirst” 

However, in the first reading, the whole community of the sons of Israel began to complain against Moses and Aaron because of the difficulties and challenges they encountered in the wilderness. They forgot how God helped them to regain their freedom. Like the Israelites, we easily notice the difficulties we encounter and lament, but we ignore the many good things that happen in our life. As long as we are in our material and limited world, which was polluted by the sin of our first parents, we cannot totally avoid disappointments. This message warns us to be careful at our moments of trials, because that is when the devil presents alternatives to seduce us and he uses our weakness to lure us.

Despite the stubbornness of the Israelites, God came to their assistance once again and promised to rain down bread for them from heaven. God still loves you.

Meanwhile, in the second reading, we see an example of the effects of the bread of life on those who receive it. Paul advises the Ephesians not to go on living the aimless kind of life that pagans live. Nourished by the bread of life, their life has to change. We were baptized as followers of Christ and we receive the bread of life every day or at least every Sunday. It has to produce some positive and fruitful changes in our lives because we cannot encounter Christ and remain the same. 

The time Paul was writing, the faith of the young Christian community in Ephesus was not yet profound. Like the Israelites in the desert who missed their food and drink in Egypt, the Ephesians recalled the unrestrained life style they led as pagans and felt that they were freer to do whatever they wanted. They were also tempted to return to their “old self” for this reason, Paul tells them that they must give up their old way of life, set aside their old self, which is corrupted by following illusory desires. He teaches us therefore to live in accordance with what we profess. The ‘old self’ refers to Adam and to those who act like him. The life of the “new man” is enlightened by Christ while the “old man” remains in darkness.

Lastly, let us follow Christ for what he has promised. Follow Him because for who He is. He is the bread of life. And that is what true faith is.

May the Lord bless His words in our hearts through Christ our Lord. Amen

By: Fr. Emmanuel Odoh SMMM

SHARE YOUR RESOURCES FOR MORE BENEFITS

 HOMILY OF THE 17TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR B 
25TH JULY 2021. 

READINGS: 

R1:  2Kings 4:42-44. 

R2:  Ephesians 4:1-6. 

Gospel:   John 6:1-15 

Theme: Under the Guidance of Jesus Christ, Our Resources are always enough when properly managed.

Today, the seventeenth Sunday of the year B, the readings direct our minds to reflect on the need for us to manage our resources both human and natural for the benefit of everybody. 

In the gospel reading, Jesus cared about the people and thus fed them when they were hungry. In the first reading, Elisha cared and shared his gift with the people. And in second reading, Paul in his letter to the Ephesians implores us to ‘bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience.’ 

Reflecting deeply on the gospel reading, we see five important characters: 

1. Jesus who continuous to show himself as a good shepherd who takes care of his flock the best way ever. As a caring shepherd, Jesus did not drive the crowd that came to him away even when it was very necessary that he and his disciples needed to rest. He continued to teach them because they were ignorant. He took care of both their spiritual and physical needs. After feeding them with the word he fed them with food, thereby, telling us that both are very essential in our life. 

2. The crowd that followed Jesus were interested in him not because they wanted to learn from him or to adore him. Rather, they came to him because, ‘they were impressed by the signs he gave by curing the sick’. The question to all of us  is this; what is our motive of following Jesus? 

Why are we Christians? Why do we come to church? Are we just miracle seekers? 

3. Philip was asked by Jesus ‘where can we buy some bread for these people to eat?’ Philip told Jesus that it was impossible that two hundred denarii would buy enough to give them small piece each. A denarius is a day’s salary for a worker in the time of Jesus. Two hundred denarii is half a year’s salary. Philip with this visible analysis saw only impossibility with what Jesus was demanding. For Philip it cannot work. He forgot the saying that with 

God all things are possible. 

Are we like Philip in the midst of difficult situations in life, seeing only impossibilities without possobility or success? 

4. Andrew came up with a solution. He reported that there was a boy with five barley loaves of bread and two fish, but at this, he doubted saying, ‘what can that do for many? He doubted the possibility of that solution. Do we like Andrew doubt the possibility of God working through the little events of our life? Do we doubt the possibility of God performing wonders with the least opportunities or circumstances of our life? God can bless us through anybody. Let us not take anything or anybody for granted. 

5. The little boy who’s five loaves and two fish were multiplied is a special character worthy of emulation. This boy is indeed extraordinary. His ability to surrender his own food for the crowd is quite unusual. This little boy’s action has an important message to communicate to us today! The willingness of this boy to let go of his food for the good of others is worthy of praise. If we are in the position of this little boy, can we share? Things are always enough when we share but scarce when hoarded. 

There is food for all. The poverty and hunger in the world today is as a result of bad government policies and the greed of some people. We do not need so much in order to survive. We need only the basics. Therefore it is mandatory to feed the hungrier in our society. 

Let us ask Jesus today to teach us how to share so that everyone will get his or her share of God’s given natural and human resources. 

Peace be with you!

Rev. Fr. George Chimaobi Alugbuo, SMMM.

RETREAT AND REST

HOMILY OF THE 16TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME Year B. 18th July, 2021.

Readings:

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Ephesians 2:13-18

Mark 6:30-34

Theme: The Need for spiritual retreat and rest in the life of a Christian.

 

The three readings of today invite us to reflect deeply on the need for spiritual retreat and rest as christians.

In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah points to the messiah's careful attention to every member of the human race. God's care for each one of us came to it's climax in the person of Jesus Christ. This care is made visible in today's Gospel reading. Jesus invited his disciples to rest a while after the missionary work he sent them. A moment of retreat and rest.

"Retreat" is  a military term used in the battle fields when soldiers having been beaten by their enemies and seeking survival so as to live and fight again, take the best option normally to withdraw to their  base. There they rest, reorganize, reinforce, readjust, get renewed, refreshed and resucitated.  At the base too, reasons for their defeat are addressed and new strategy is put in place.

In our life as christians, the world around us is a battlefield. Inside the battlefield there are lots of dangers both seen and unseen. We can survive this dangerous battlefield by following the instructions of Jesus Christ which is "come away by yourselves to a desert place and rest a while" It is a call for regular spiritual retreat and rest for all christains. We seriously need some moments of spiritual recollection, retreat, rest , visit to the Blessed Sacrament and meditative prayer as Christians.

The reason for this spiritual retreat in the gospel is "that there were so many people coming and going at that time that the apostles had no time to eat". For this reason they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. This is because one can spend too much time in the activities of people and thus gradually loose the vision of God. We cannot be so much preoccupied with the work of God to the point that we forget the God of the work.

However, our spiritual retreat or rest should also not be an excuse not to respond to necessary emergency that may come up during our retreat or resting time. As Jesus and his disciples embarked on their retreat and rest, Jesus saw the vast crowd. In this crowd he saw their hearts yearnings and pains. Naturally they would have been very annoyed because  their private time for retreat and rest have been encroached by the crowd. Instead, Jesus's heart was moved with pity for the people  for " they were like sheep without a shepherd" They were really in dear need of direction and care. Jesus and his disciples forgot their intended retreat and rest and started attending to the people.

Like Jesus and his disciples, let us learn to work and to rest. Let us not be like the snail that goes blind during it's hibernation (resting period) even to the point of denying itself of some essential activities like eating and even excreting. Jesus teaches us that the need of others should come before our own. On many occasions we have to forget our retreat or rest for the good of others who are expecting care and attention from us. We must learn to strike a  balance between our retreat/rest and our working time. Good scale of preference is indeed necessary in the life of every christains especially with regard to time management. We should not forget the fact that the obligation to rest is not something absolute because our spiritual welfare and that of our neighbors should come before bodily wellbeing. 

Therefore, the time spent recovering physical energies should not cause the soul to become sick and paralyzed. We should be also be moved by the plight of the suffering people around us. The duty of every christain is to be sensitive to the suffering of the needy and do our best with our resources to help and to make others comfortable even to the point of discomforting ourselves.

© Rev. Fr. Remigius Onyedikachi Okonkwo SMMM.

HEAL THE WORLD: OUR CHRISTIAN MANDATE

HOMILY FOR THE 15TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR B

R1: Amos 7:12-15,

R2:  Eph 1:3-14, 

Gospel: Mk 6:7-13

*Heal the World: Our Christian mandate.*

The present human society is ravaged by many ills. Some are fundamental to human nature and others are nurtured in time. Greed, pride, materialism, profanity and lack of faith, among other vices have eaten deep into the fabrics of humanity, leaving our consciences so punctured that love, humility, piety and faith are hanging on the edge. God created us to know Him, to love Him, to worship Him and to be with Him, both here on earth and hereafter in heaven. We cannot know peace, happiness or fulfillment except we align to this Divine Will. Hence, we need to understand, assimilate and propagate this divine message.

The readings of today remind us of the unmerited gifts and blessings we have received from God and the responsibility to share the same with other, bring healing to the sick human society. St. Paul, in the Second Reading from his epistle to the Ephesians (1:3-14), pointed out the blessings fundamental to us as Christians; a divine plan since the foundation of the world: God elected us, liberated us and adopted us to be His sons in Christ and through Christ. In Christ the mystery of God to unite all things to Himself is revealed and fulfilled. By dying and rising with Christ in baptism, we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit as guarantee of our promised inheritance until we acquire possession of it (Eph. 1:14). The Spirit we have received is not that of timidity, instead we are charged to go out, make disciples of all nations and heal the world of its infirmities by witnessing to the love of God.  

However, the gospel  reading (cf. Mk 6:7-13)

reminds us not to distract ourselves with inordinate desires, passion and encumbrances of materialism. Instead, we are to rely solely on divine providence. The spiritual poverty of the messenger is an essential condition required by the message itself. Moreover, our resolution in the face of hardship and difficulties simply reflects the level of our faith and trust in God. Our Christian call to mission is not without trials, hence the need to put on the sandals of courage and fortitude for the journey and the staff of resilience-in-prayer to push forward when oppositions make our movement heavy, and to ward-off dangers on the journey, especially internal and external distractions.

Just as Amos and the apostles were called to preach the gospel, we are also called to bear witness to God’s love in different ways; be it in marriage, single life, religious life, priesthood, and in various forms of life we find ourselves. We must believe that God is with us and wants us to share with others, the life of love we have received from Him.  We are to propagate the reign of God; the kingdom of God in our human society and heal our world of segregation, racism, selfishness, pride, faithlessness, prejudices, hatred, wickedness and other vices that have eaten deep into our being. 

Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit is the Kingdom of God. Let us make effort to be part of it and ensure that others join too. We thank God for making us partake in this divine mystery of cosmic unification of all things to Himself through Christ and pray for the grace to remain faithful to our calling to the end of time. Shalom!

Reflection by:

Fr. Desmond Adazie, SMMM

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