DAILY HOMILIES

Dear friend, do you constantly complain about others? Or are you a Jacob who knows how best to take advantage of whatever situation may arise? When was the last time you asked for a blessing from your parents or an older person? Jacob did not complain about the time spent wrestling. He looked at the positive side. Jesus also did not say anything to those who criticised Him; instead, He focused on His Call; He attended to the crowds who were like sheep without a shepherd.

The ruler knew his daughter was dead, but firmly believed that Jesus had a solution for death. He invited Jesus to heal his daughter’s condition, much as one would ask an electrician to replace a faulty switch. Faith does not begin with the occurrence of a miracle. Faith makes it happen. Believe that no matter what you face, it is not beyond what God can handle.

When they were going out, it was like an adventure to them; they must have asked themselves, “How am I going to survive? No purse, no bag, no sandals, nothing! But they obeyed. And they came back shocked that even the demons obeyed them. Their power was in their ability to detach themselves. When we focus on storing up treasures for ourselves in heaven, it is then that we experience true happiness.

Just as new wine can only be stored in new wineskins, we can only call ourselves Christians when we are born again. To be a Christian is to live a new life. As St. Paul says, “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation, everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). You cannot be new wine in an old wineskin. You cannot continue the practices and lifestyle of persons who do not believe in God’s existence while claiming to be a Christian. You cannot serve both God and mammon. If you assume you can pretend, one day your “skin” will burst, and the whole world will know the truth. Be a genuine Christian, a new wine in a new wineskin.

From Jesus’ action in today’s Gospel passage, we learn that there are several methods of bringing people to repentance. With the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus was harsh and direct, but with Matthew and his friends, Jesus employed a different method – He won their hearts by eating and drinking with them. To his critics, Jesus said: “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

In Thomas, we see that God does not necessarily need perfect people; He perfects those who make themselves available for His service. In today’s first reading, St. Paul tells us that we are no longer strangers but fellow citizens with the saints in the Household of God (Ephesians 2:19). We are all called to sainthood regardless of our limitations and imperfections. If Thomas made it to heaven, who says you cannot?

When the villagers saw what had happened, they were not grateful for the healing of the demoniac; instead, they were concerned about their economic loss. They begged Jesus to leave their neighbourhood, fearing there were more demoniacs within the community. They valued material riches more than spiritual wholeness. Like these villagers, we also beg Jesus to leave our spaces (family, work, school, business, etc.) directly and indirectly when we do not pray, do not keep God’s commandments, pursue sensual (indecent) entertainment, or even deny God’s existence.

When we fear God, we can rest securely knowing that He is the protector of those who place their hope in Him. We need not be afraid of danger when we know that God is with us in the same boat. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus was highly disappointed with the disciples because they panicked during a storm. “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). Whenever you begin to panic or expect the worst outcome in any situation you may find yourself, it is a reminder that you are gradually losing faith in God. To believe in God is to know that your life is in His hands and His plans for you are for your welfare.

Abraham did all he could to negotiate for Sodom and Gomorrah, and it was interesting to note that the Lord was willing to spare the entire city if up to ten righteous persons could be found in the town. This reminds us of salt. Only a small amount of salt is required to cook a whole pot of food. If the amount of salt is too small, the food will be tasteless. An entire city can be destroyed because there are not enough genuine worshippers of God.

Today’s Solemnity also challenges us to be the best version of ourselves as we strive to follow Christ’s footsteps on earth. Peter and Paul have long since passed away, but their legacies continue to shine. If they had approached their calling with the same lackadaisical attitude displayed by many Christians today, we would not be celebrating them today. Our time on earth is relatively short, but our impact can last for eternity. Live in a manner that the world would feel obliged to celebrate you long after you have gone.

Today, we celebrate the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, following the celebration of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus yesterday. The heart is the core of one’s being; it is where decisions are made. Hence, the word “heart” is used figuratively to refer to the whole person. Today, we celebrate Mary’s Immaculate Heart – we honour her as a woman who was preserved from original sin, firmly believed and cooperated with God, kept her heart pure and lived a sinless life.

“I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered... And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their land; and I will feed them on the mountains… I will feed them with good pasture, … they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on fat pasture, they shall feed” (Ezekiel 34:12-14).