DAILY HOMILIES

We Christians today must realize that we have an enemy that is very angry with us. Can you try to picture the annoyance of the man with an unclean spirit in the synagogue? “What have you to do with us?” meaning: “Why did you come here? What is your business with this place?

The fact that I come from a generation of Christians does not automatically qualify me for heaven, it is the life I live that matters. Indeed, the fact that I am a Catholic does not qualify me for heaven, it is the way I live that counts. In Matthew 21:31, Jesus declared: “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots will go into the kingdom of God before you.”

we are only pilgrims on earth and *at the end of our brief sojourn, we shall all face judgement.* Jesus reminds us today: “the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done.” (Matthew 16:27). Don’t worry, whatever good or evil you do must surely come back to you with its full reward.

Today, we are reminded that there is a price we must pay if we dare to speak the truth to others especially those in positions of authority.

We do not all have equal opportunities in life but we all have equal abilities to make the best of our opportunities. Some of us were born with silver spoons, others with “clay pots.” Some were born into homes of physical, psychological and mental abuse, some into havens of love, abundance and peace.

The only thing that differentiated the foolish from the wise was the fact that they went along with some extra oil; they didn't depend on the oil in their lamps. What is this extra oil? It is going beyond just being an ordinary Christian.

Just as a good security officer never goes to sleep while on duty, being watchful requires that we diligently guard our heart.

As a Christian, if people get close to me, would they see something different from what I portray in public? Do I even believe the things I preach? If I am not convinced about what is right and wrong, do I expect anyone to believe me?

The outside may be laced with gold but if the inside is dirty, the drink is poisonous. In other words, in our desire to do God’s work, we must always examine our motives; we must look inside – if our desire is to own a lot of money, cruise around the world and use the latest and the best of everything, we may just be serving poison to those who come in contact with us.

For Bartholomew (Also known as Nathanael), Nazareth was a complete write-off. The reaction of Philip is highly worthy of praise. Philip did not try to argue with him. He simply said: “Come and See.”

A house (or any gathering) without a leader or someone to exercise authority is just a recipe for chaos and disaster. That the House of God on earth may stand, Jesus knew it was necessary to select a leader. Today’s lessons are drawn from the manner Jesus went about selecting this leader.

Mary was so humble and ordinary that to this day, many Christians continue to think of her as just and “envelop” used and dumped by God. In her humility, God has now raised her to glory. Jesus said: “whoever exalts himself will be humbled but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12)