DAILY HOMILIES

While Ezra, the priest prayed for the people during the evening sacrifice with torn garments (symbolising contrition just like the people of Nineveh did), the twelve disciples are sent to various towns and villages to evangelise. This shows us that ministry involves an active prayer life on one hand and the daily interaction with the people

As we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew today, we not only reflect on lessons to be learnt from the manner of his call, we also reflect on the fact that God has called each of us as well through the various gifts and talents he bestowed upon us.

Jesus says: “Nothing is hidden that shall not be made manifest.” Every secret has its expiry date. Whatever we have tried to hide will someday come to light.

He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12).

The question is: Which category do I belong? Do I let God’s Words find root in my daily life? Do I tell myself, it is impossible to obey God? Do I love riches (mammon) more than God?

Jesus refused to bow to satan at the offer of all the kingdoms and riches of the world. (Cf. Luke 4:6-7). The truth is that satan continues to tempt God’s Ministers even to this day.

Even the very act of narrating your own sins forces you to look inwards. Healing begins by admitting your faults and recognizing there are areas you need to work on to become a better person.

Mary remains a model in terms of how we are to deal with pain. This is why whenever we are sorrowful, we should run to her maternal embrace. Mary who felt the pain of the couple at the wedding feast, when they ran out of wine, would surely speak to her son Jesus on our behalf when things are not going right for us.

Just as the people looked up at the serpent for healing, so also we look up at the Cross of Jesus for healing.

The Centurion wanted Jesus to simply utter a word. He knew that distance was not a barrier. Indeed, the centurion knew that Jesus is the commander in charge of the universe.

When we read in Jeremiah 29:11 that God has plans for us, we must bear in mind that part of that plan is that at some point, we would undergo some amount of suffering.

If we truly examine ourselves, we would arrive at the ugly truth – that we are not as good as think we are – that we are not different from the rest of men – that if given the same opportunities and circumstances, we would even do worse.