DAILY HOMILIES

In today’s Gospel passage, we find the height of this wickedness when the Pharisees watched Jesus to see whether or not He would heal a man with a withered hand on a Sabbath day. Jesus asked them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or harm, to save life or kill?” But they were silent. They knew healing this man was not against the Sabbath Law but were too ashamed to admit the truth. Like these Pharisees, we could become blinded by hatred for certain persons and no longer understand the reasons for God’s laws.

The Pharisees strongly criticised Jesus for breaking the Sabbath law. These Pharisees were always with Jesus. Instead of discovering what made Jesus and his disciples hungry to eat grains from the farm, they were only concerned about the “breaking of the law.” Do not be discouraged by your critics. Hope in God, not in human applause.

Saints are not extraordinary people but ordinary people who live extraordinary lives by loving God and their neighbours as themselves. Blessed Tansi did not write an application letter to be beatified. The testimony of those who met him made the church recognise him. What will people say about you when you die?

In the wedding feast at Cana, Jesus revealed his true identity as God, who has power over the whole of creation. By agreeing to turn water into wine at a wedding, Jesus, who (during His temptations) refused to turn stones into bread, teaches us the importance of marriage, his love for us as our Groom, and his respect for Mary, his Mother.

In today’s Gospel passage, we see the power of God’s Word when Jesus Christ speaks to Levi, the tax collector. Just one sentence is enough to make Levi abandon the lucrative business of collecting taxes. Unlike Peter, Andrew, James, and John, Levi becomes an instant fisher of men when he attempts to convert his fellow tax collectors by hosting Jesus in his house.

The failure of the scribes and Pharisees to see that God was in their midst despite their familiarity with the scriptures goes to prove the point of today’s first reading: “For indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.” (Hebrews 4:2).

Empathy is the first step to healing, but it is not enough. Go beyond words such as: “Sorry, oh. It is well you.” Do whatever is within your power to do. It might seem small compared to the person’s problem, but it would mean the world to them. Sometimes, we underestimate ourselves. What makes you think your prayers cannot heal the sick? With just five loaves and two fish, over five thousand people were fed. Even for someone looking for a million naira, ten naira is something. You might not even have ten naira, but you might know how to connect them to someone who has.

We must consciously reach out to the sick, the oppressed, those held captive, those who do not yet believe in God, and those who are passing through some difficulty or another. With faith, we can lay our hands on people, talk to them, and preach to them, and we would be surprised at the outcome. A Christian who never reaches out to others is a Christian who is ignorant of what he or she has within.

Child of God, you have no reason to be afraid of the devil or persons possessed with demonic spirits. God has put all things under your feet. You are a child of God; you did not receive the spirit of timidity. He that is in you is greater than any power on earth. Never look down on yourself. You are so powerful that your very presence is a threat to demons. “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”

What have you left behind to follow Jesus? In other words, what is the cost of your discipleship? What do you have to let go to remain a Christian? If truly you have not left anything behind, it means your faith is a matter of convenience. The danger in this is that you could easily fall away in moments of trials. This explains why some Christians move from one “solution house” to another, not minding if they partake in idol worship. Christianity is not only about what we stand to gain from God; it is about carrying our crosses and following Jesus’ footsteps.

Today’s feast, the baptism of Jesus, marks the second significant moment of the revelation of Jesus’ divinity. Luke reports: “When Jesus also had been baptised and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, ‘Thou art my beloved Son; with thee, I am well pleased.’” (Luke 3:21-22). All those present at the baptism of Jesus saw the dove and heard the voice from heaven. Like the Magi, they must have fallen on their faces to worship Jesus when they saw this mighty display of God.

Those who told John the Baptist that Jesus was now baptising were hoping it would make John the Baptist sad or bring about some form of competition, but to their amazement, John the Baptist was pleased to hear it. Whatever you do for your church, whether financially or physically, should never be about competition. It should never be to promote your name or your business; it should only be about increasing God’s kingdom.