DAILY HOMILIES #Abraham

From Jesus’ action in today’s Gospel passage, we learn that there are several methods of bringing people to repentance. With the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus was harsh and direct, but with Matthew and his friends, Jesus employed a different method – He won their hearts by eating and drinking with them. To his critics, Jesus said: “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

When the villagers saw what had happened, they were not grateful for the healing of the demoniac; instead, they were concerned about their economic loss. They begged Jesus to leave their neighbourhood, fearing there were more demoniacs within the community. They valued material riches more than spiritual wholeness. Like these villagers, we also beg Jesus to leave our spaces (family, work, school, business, etc.) directly and indirectly when we do not pray, do not keep God’s commandments, pursue sensual (indecent) entertainment, or even deny God’s existence.

When we fear God, we can rest securely knowing that He is the protector of those who place their hope in Him. We need not be afraid of danger when we know that God is with us in the same boat. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus was highly disappointed with the disciples because they panicked during a storm. “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). Whenever you begin to panic or expect the worst outcome in any situation you may find yourself, it is a reminder that you are gradually losing faith in God. To believe in God is to know that your life is in His hands and His plans for you are for your welfare.

Abraham did all he could to negotiate for Sodom and Gomorrah, and it was interesting to note that the Lord was willing to spare the entire city if up to ten righteous persons could be found in the town. This reminds us of salt. Only a small amount of salt is required to cook a whole pot of food. If the amount of salt is too small, the food will be tasteless. An entire city can be destroyed because there are not enough genuine worshippers of God.

Today, we celebrate the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, following the celebration of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus yesterday. The heart is the core of one’s being; it is where decisions are made. Hence, the word “heart” is used figuratively to refer to the whole person. Today, we celebrate Mary’s Immaculate Heart – we honour her as a woman who was preserved from original sin, firmly believed and cooperated with God, kept her heart pure and lived a sinless life.

To hope in God is to believe He can bring life out of what is already dead. Our hope is never based on our visible circumstances; instead, it is built solely on what God can do. This hope operates through the eyes of faith. Like Abraham, you may consider your body as good as dead, but let your focus be on what God is capable of doing. Don’t be distracted by your situation; look at God instead.

The rich man did not go to hell because he was rich; neither did Lazarus enter heaven solely based on his poverty. Just as there are many wealthy people in heaven, there are many who died wretched and are in hell. I may be poor materially, but if my heart is corrupt and evil (turned away from God), I cannot enter heaven.

Do not be discouraged by the weight of the crosses you carry in your Christian journey. Consider the Transfiguration as an encouragement from above. God is watching you. Moses, Elijah and all the prophets and saints who have walked this path are watching you. We prayed in the Stations of the Cross: “Difficulties remain difficult Lord, but I will not run away from them.” In the words of St. Paul “For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18).

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.

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.

In Zacchaeus, we see a “Prodigal Son” whose conscience spoke to him. After hearing about Jesus, he desired to see him, but considering his height, he climbed a tree. The prodigal son knew he no longer deserved to be in his Father’s presence, so he chose to appeal for the position of a slave in his father’s house. Like Zaccheaus, we have all sinned against God, and we have various physical and spiritual defects (such as bad habits we struggle with). However, Jesus wants to see our efforts. What am I doing to make up for my deformities?

Faith will keep you going despite the failures you encounter. Edison believed in his vision, and even when he failed repeatedly, he wouldn’t stop. This is the kind of faith we need in God – a faith that continues to believe regardless of our failures or disappointments. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus uses the parable of the woman and the unjust judge to teach us the need for persistence in prayer.