DAILY HOMILIES

The more we try to touch Jesus (the more we allow the light of Christ to shine through us), the more we are healed and restored to our original goodness. The healing power at work in Jesus Christ when he walked on earth thousands of years ago is still available today. Only believe. Jesus said: “All things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23).

The great catch of fish was a turning point in Peter’s life. He immediately recognised God's presence and confessed his sins. Isaiah had a similar experience in today’s First Reading. Meanwhile, in today’s second reading, St. Paul confesses how he previously persecuted the Church, yet God made him an apostle. Is it the case that God prefers working with individuals with a sinful past? What do we learn from these readings?

Let us ask ourselves: “Am I a compassionate leader?” It is easy to point fingers at our leaders in Nigeria today, but we can only make a difference if we all begin pointing fingers at ourselves. Am I using my position to better the lives of those under me? As a father, am I compassionate towards my children? As a priest, do I feed my flock?

The Letter to the Hebrews mentions certain sins we could regret forever: unkindness to strangers, indifference to prisoners, defiling the marriage bed, love of money, and lack of contentment. As the book of Hebrews tells us, only when we avoid sin can we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?”

Mark tells us that Jesus “called to him the twelve.” Although they had been following Him, Jesus called them again before sending them out. This second call indicates spiritual empowerment. Religious life is a gift, not a profession. The book of Hebrews says: “One does not take the honour upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.” (Hebrews 5:4).

We cannot but agree with St. Paul that all things work unto good for those who love God. (Romans 8:28). Never get angry with God for allowing painful things to happen to you. Like the boy who did not understand why his father told him to kill the couple’s only cow, there are so many things we do not understand about God. We have to trust Him.

Avoid indulging the flesh with its cravings all the time. The Letter to the Hebrews says: “Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (Hebrews 12:3-4). Even Jesus was hostile to himself. Do not be that international footballer who always plays the ball off-course when he has a chance of scoring. Even if avoiding sin requires shedding your blood, it is better to crucify the flesh and its desires than to lose consciousness of sin.

Jesus cured a demoniac, but in the process, the villagers lost their entire herd of swine. Instead of thanking God that a man had been set free from demonic possession, they mourned over their pigs. Fearing that there might be other demons in the town, they begged Jesus to leave their town. We behave like these people when we push God away instead of counting our blessings. Life is not all about money.

Mary and Joseph knew that Jesus was God, meaning there was no need to bring the baby Jesus to the temple, but in humility (not wanting to appear like the special ones in their community), they followed the law. They presented God to God. Today’s Second Reading states: “He had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17).

Life is a classroom, and your fears are the examination scripts. Naturally, we humans love the place of comfort; we would rather skip the exam and remain where we are, but the truth is that if we truly desire to move to the next level, we have to write our exams; that is, we have to face our fears; we must attempt to see what becomes of us when that which we fear happens.

Never be discouraged by setbacks when you desire growth in your spiritual life. Like the Christian faith, beginning a new habit is like planting a seed. When we decide to change from our sinful ways and devote ourselves to becoming more serious with God, we have just planted a small seed. The beginning may be rough, very rough. We may even face great temptations that we may attempt to give up.

To be clean of hands and pure of heart means that you do not have any skeletons in your wardrobe. Being clean of hands and pure in heart means you have nothing to hide. By the way, we live in a world where it has become impossible to hide anything. With our latest technological gadgets and devices, one’s entire life history can be dug up in a minute. Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel passage: “For nothing is hidden, except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light.”