DAILY HOMILIES

In giving an offering, we are not increasing God’s wealth but showing our love for Him. In one of the prefaces for Mass, we say: “Our prayer of thanksgiving adds nothing to your greatness but profits us for salvation.” That is to say, no matter how big our offering may be, it does not add to God and if we decide not to give, it does not reduce God.

If you consider Jesus as your King, then live as His subject. If you consider Jesus as your Shepherd, live like His sheep; follow His instructions with a childlike trust. If you consider Jesus as your priest, then surrender completely to Him.

Are you being persecuted for your good works? Does it seem as if your enemies are succeeding? Just relax. God knows how to fight for His own and if it is His will, be assured of a better life awaiting you in heaven. Dream of heaven, imagine how life would be over there. Take your gaze off this world with all its crazy ups and downs; look forward to heaven.

Dear friends, just as John was asked to eat the scroll, we too are called to eat the word of God every day. Jesus said: “Man shall not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4).

The lamb Abraham said God would provide, the lamb that was sacrificed in Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, the lamb Samuel offered and the prophets spoke about is Jesus Christ. As Peter would say: “You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

An idle mind coupled with an absence of work is the devil’s workshop. Jesus will come again but while we expect Him, we must not forget that He wants to find us busy when He comes. Do you realize that even while Jesus was alive, people were already expecting the world to end? Our focus should be on how we must use the talents, gifts and opportunities available to us.

When we desire to see Jesus, there is always going to be an obstacle; a stumbling block or a set-back. Zacchaeus’ obstacle was his height. Just see how he used the sycamore tree to solve this problem. What is your obstacle; your weakness or your limitation? What efforts are you making to remove whatever is preventing you from full communion with Jesus?

Like the blind man who called out to Jesus vehemently, let us go on our knees to beg for restoration. Let us not allow anyone to distract us or prevent us from calling on Jesus. Let us pray that our eyes would be open again. Let us pray that we may return to our first love.

Today, Jesus gave us another parable which is quite similar to the parable of the ten virgins, however, this time there is just one foolish servant who again ended up in a place of outer darkness; a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. How do we resemble this foolish servant? And what lessons do we learn from this parable?

It is easy to pray when things are moving smoothly, but how difficult is it for us to pray when the going gets tough! In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus is telling us never to give up prayers, never to give up on God and never to give up on our faith even when it seems as if nothing is happening.

Jesus is recommending to us the wisdom of Noah. The best preparation for that day which shall take us by surprise is our obedience to the commandments of God.