DAILY HOMILIES

Elijah told Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said: “I pray you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” (2 Kings 2:9). Elisha, like Solomon, was given a blank cheque to ask for anything. He could have asked for riches, long life or the death of his enemies, but he asked for a double share of Elijah’s spirit. When I pray, what do I ask for? Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9). With God, all things are possible. If you do not seek, you will not find.

Forgiveness is hard, yet it is the only thing that makes us different from the Gentiles. Practising sincere forgiveness is the only thing that makes us like Christ. To have a forgiving heart is to have a heart that takes no pleasure in the death of a sinner. (cf. Ezekiel 18:23). Don’t wish evil for anyone, and if you ever get the chance to retaliate for a wrong done to you, use it as an opportunity to practice forgiveness.

God knows how to deal with the wicked. The fact that Jesus admonishes us to love our enemy or turn the other cheek when we are slapped does not mean that God supports wickedness. Today’s Gospel passage can be summarised as: “Do not take laws into your hands.” God is not blind. If He can see what we are thinking in our hearts, He can also see what is happening in the world.

God’s blessings do not come to us in a vacuum. When you pray, go out and work so that your work becomes the instrument through which you receive God’s blessing. When you are inspired, don’t let your ideas waste away in your head; write them down and start working on them. When you see the brighter side, pray about it and act on it. If you only listen (or read) today’s homily and do nothing about it, then this homily will not work. Consider the thousands of churches in our society today, alongside the level of decadence, and you cannot help but see that our problem is action.

The moment Elisha sensed his calling, he took the yoke of oxen, slew them, boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people. They all ate, and then he rose, went after Elijah, and ministered to him. Interestingly, this is exactly what Jesus required of Peter and the other apostles (including the seventy others). Jesus also required this of the rich young man: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21).

Besides simply coming to Him, Jesus wants us to take His yoke and learn from him. In a world where might is right and people would rather have their way with violence, Jesus wants us to know from his simplicity, gentleness and lowliness. As he said: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Peter wanted to fight on the night of His arrest, but Jesus said: “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52).

The name Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement.” This name became a prophecy of Barnabas’ life. Barnabas, through his unwavering belief in Paul’s potential, persuaded the early Christian community to accept Paul as a disciple and played a pivotal role in shaping Paul’s future as a successful preacher.

If you are on God’s side, be assured of victory. Elijah asked the people to drench the offerings with water three times to prove that God’s power is greater than what science can explain. Elijah did not need to shout or cut his skin like the prophets of Baal. Elijah prayed with faith, and God granted his request immediately.

You are light; you lead, not copy. You do not follow the trends; you create trends. Light bulbs do not need speakers; they speak by doing their jobs. They don’t pretend. If you turn a light bulb on, it will continue to shine even if no one is in the room. Avoid living a fake Christian life – actions speak louder than words. Shine even if no one is clapping.

Practice the Beatitudes; be merciful, and forgive quickly and completely. I will tell you one secret: “No one ever became happy because of revenge.” Inflicting pain on others because they hurt you in the past only increases your sorrows. Whatever you give out, you get back double, and the cycle never ends. Let the pain end with you; forgive and let everything go. Be a peacemaker; do not let yourself become an instrument others use to fight their enemies or settle quarrels and disputes. Be pure in heart; do not wish evil for anybody; do not make room for evil spirits in your heart by watching pornography or feasting on indecent thoughts.

As proof of His love, God offers us His flesh and blood to eat so that by so doing, we would be in communion (blood covenant) with God, share in His life, and God Himself would enter and remain inside us. “He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him.” (John 6:56). In all the religions in the world, Christianity is the only religion where God is this close to the people.

Firstly, they are teachers who do not practice what they teach, wolves in sheep’s clothing, actors on stage and devils in secret. Secondly, false and fake teachers are people who become professionals in telling people exactly what they like to hear.