DAILY HOMILIES #Christ

Like the steward who had to let go of what would have come to him as profit, Jesus is telling us today to make sacrifices, to let go of the vain things and fleeting pleasures of life for the greater good of making heaven. Our attachment to wealth and material possessions often obstacles the practice of our Christian virtues.

I recently heard the story of some soldiers who broke into a tea shop because it was a cold winter morning, and they needed something warm to drink. When they left, the captain left some money for the shop owner to satisfy his conscience. The soldiers felt they had a right to steal the tea since no one would dare question them, but the captain had the mind of Christ. He left money for the shop owner.

Are you struggling to accept Jesus’s teachings? Does the cross seem too heavy for you? Ask God to help you. Prayer is the key. Jesus says: “With men, it is impossible.” Relying on your strength alone (intelligence, money, self-discipline, connections, etc.), you cannot be Christian. You must be connected to God through daily prayers to gain the strength to live out your Christian call. Jesus said: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

The people wanted to see a sign, a show of power, or a display like that of Elijah and the prophets of Baal, but Jesus didn’t put up any show. If you believe, you don’t need to see signs and wonders (proofs); if you don’t believe, a million signs will not convince you. Today’s Gospel passage begins with “Jesus had just cast out a demon.” Was this sign not enough for them?

We must be of good cheer because we are fighting a won battle; no matter what the world does to us, it cannot undo Christ’s victory on the Cross of Calvary. We must be cheerful because our tribulations are temporary; life happens in seasons and stages. We must be of good cheer because joy is a sign of victory; our enemies are confused when they see us happy despite their plans. We must be of good cheer because joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

These were the last words of Jesus before His Ascension - “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” (Mark 16:15). This is an all-important task. If we fail to preach the gospel, we have failed God

Philip was born at Bethsaida and started as a disciple of John the Baptist. After the Baptist’s death, he followed Christ. James, the son of Alphaeus, is called “James the Less” to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee. James, “the brother of the Lord”, ruled the Church at Jerusalem, wrote an epistle, led an austere life and converted many Jews to the Faith. He was crowned with martyrdom in the year 62

The message for you today is: “Rise.” Don’t stay down. Rise! Your sufferings are not a sign of weakness on the part of God. Keep trusting in God. Very soon, your eyes will see, and your mouth will testify that God never sleeps nor slumbers and never turns His back on His children.

The only sign we need is the Cross. Have you ever wondered why the Crucifix is boldly displayed in the middle of all Catholic Churches? This is what we preach – Christ crucified.

The valleys to be lifted represent the good things we ought to do that we have failed to do. The mountains and hills to be made low are our bad habits, sinful inclinations and evil deeds that must be removed to allow the baby Jesus to enter our lives.

If I want to invite an important visitor to my house, I first ensure my house is clean and has the necessary facilities to make the person comfortable. Right? We have a very, very, very important visitor; the greatest of the greatest is coming. What are you doing to prepare for Him?

Today’s first reading describes Jesus as the shepherd who seeks out His sheep. The Psalmist sings of Jesus as the shepherd who provides our needs. The second reading hints at Jesus as the priest who sacrificed Himself for our sake. Finally, our Gospel passage depicts Jesus as the King who reigns over, before whom we shall be judged at the end of the world.