DAILY HOMILIES

Like Lazarus, who was bound all over, sin ties us down and keeps us stagnated spiritually. That is why we need Jesus in our lives. And it really doesn’t matter how deep sin may have crushed us. It is not too late today to repent and begin to live a new life in Christ.

In today’s Gospel passage, the crowds listening to Jesus were divided in their opinions. This is typical of any crowd. This is why we must avoid being swayed by public opinion, lest we become like a palm tree that sways in different directions depending on the wind. We must praise the courageous soldiers who were sent to arrest Jesus, but after hearing him preach, they returned to the Pharisees to say, “No man has ever spoken like this man.”

The Book of Wisdom says: “Ungodly men reasoned unsoundly: ‘Let us lie in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions. Let us test him with insult and torture.” (Cf. Wisdom 2:12-21). Evil doers, having made themselves God’s enemies, are constantly at war with God’s children. In Revelation 12:17, we read: “Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her children, those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus.” Righteousness annoys those who have sold their souls to the devil.

The Bible describes Joseph as a just man. (Matthew 1:19). This means he was a man of integrity. He was well-respected in the community. He had a good name. He was a man of justice. He was not wayward and believed in always doing what was right. Can it be said about me that I am a just person?

Are you asking: “God, where are you?” The answer is: “I am always here with you. I can never leave you, and you can never leave me.” The Psalmist put it beautifully: “Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there, your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as day, for darkness is as light to you. You formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:7-13) God has not and can never abandon you.

St. Patrick, the beloved patron saint of Ireland, was originally from Roman Britain. When he was fourteen, Irish pirates captured him and took him to Ireland as a slave. His strong faith provided comfort and hope during his six years in captivity. A divine dream inspired Patrick to escape, and he eventually returned to Britain and reunited with his family. Feeling a sacred calling, Patrick became a priest and was later ordained a bishop. He was driven to bring Christianity to Ireland, arriving in Slane on 25 March 433.

Without further questions, “the official believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way.” When the priest says, “Go forth, the Mass is ended”, consider these words as coming from Jesus’ lips. Go home joyful, hopeful and happy. Go with positive expectations. The behaviour of this official is similar to that of Hannah, who believed the prophet Eli’s word.

The blindness of the Pharisees was caused by: 1. Envy. When you are envious of others, you are prepared to pull them down by any means, but no matter how hard you try, they remain above you. They couldn’t believe that Jesus was now doing what they themselves could not do. 2. Hatred. When you hate someone, there is nothing the person would do that would make sense. While others praised God, the Pharisees found fault: “He cannot be God because he did this on the Sabbath day.” Watch out when you become highly critical of others; it is a sign of hatred brewing in your heart.

Sometimes, we feel unworthy of approaching God’s presence. Satan, the accuser of the brethren (cf. Rev. 12:10), capitalises on our guilt to make us wallow deeper and deeper in sin. Satan, the liar per excellence (cf. John 8:44), tells us that there is no need to pray. Meanwhile, God is waiting for us to return home like the father in the story of the Prodigal Son. The best time to pray is when you are in the shoes of the tax collector.

In all three synoptic Gospels, when Jesus was asked about the first commandment, He immediately added: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31, Cf. Matthew 22:36). In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus summed both commandments in one sentence: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

Those who accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub did so because they felt Jesus had no power. Some Christians are quick to ascribe misfortunes to the devil but find it difficult to praise God when good things happen. Jesus described the devil as a strong man but made it clear that He is stronger: “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his palace, his goods are in peace; but when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted, and divides his spoil.” (Luke 11:21-22). If you are more scared of the devil than God, your heart is hardened.

In today’s first reading, Moses said: “Give heed to the statutes and the ordinances… that you may live and take possession of the land.” God means well to us by giving us the commandments. There is a reward for every act of obedience. Unfortunately, today’s Christians are more concerned about their discomfort than their disobedience