DAILY HOMILIES #Christ

If we all chose to return to our old ways after today, if nothing changes about our lives, if we do not start seeking things above rather than engage in the blind pursuit of money, power and pleasure, then all our Lenten observances would have been in vain. If we do not rise from a life of sin, then it would seem that Christ has not risen from the dead and our proclamation would be empty words.

Like Lazarus who was bound all over, sin ties us down and keeps us stagnated spiritually. That is why we need Jesus in our lives. And it really doesn’t matter how deep sin may have crushed us. It is not too late today to repent and begin to live a new life in Christ.

If you really want to know who you are, forget about your titles or what anyone is saying and find out what your actions (especially those you do in secret) are saying about you.

Whether we like it or not, sin robs us of our peace of mind. It is always more profitable to avoid sin than to live with guilt. The pain of avoiding sin is brief but the pain of a guilty conscience lasts an entire lifetime. The book of Hebrews this morning mentions certain sins that 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: It is only when we avoid sin that we can confidently say: “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?”

If you truly desire to rid yourself of your sins, you need to improve your relationship with Jesus, that is, spend more time with Jesus – deepen your prayer life. Occupy your mind with the things of God; read books, and seek to know God better. Pray for an increase in faith that God may open your eyes to see why sin is evil, and that God may strengthen your desire to live above sin.

We deny Christ when we behave as if Jesus is not real. We deny Christ when we refuse to use our position, wealth, and political influence in society to advance the cause of Christ.

Have I fully received Christ? Am I a wolf in sheep's clothing? Do I outwardly claim to be for Christ yet act against him in private? And finally, as a child of God, what are my New Year's resolutions?

It is not enough that we hang decorations, lights and pictures of Jesus this season, let us hang the virtues of Christ, chief among which are forgiveness and mercy. Putting up fancy lights is very expensive, not many can afford these beautiful lights but there is another light that cost nothing and is available for all; it is the light of good deeds.

Today, we move around our streets shamelessly singing and dancing, rubbing ourselves on the ground in exultation of Christ but what happens when we return home? Do you allow Christ to reign in your living rooms, in your business place, in your sense of fashion, in your daily interactions with others?

Jesus is not saying riches are sinful, rather, he wants us to consider riches as the lowest of all our priorities. This is the point St. Paul seeks to drive home when he said: “let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning.

Have you ever tried to tell someone what you believe only to realize you are pouring water on a stone? This was the situation Jesus found himself in with the Jews. There was just nothing that Jesus would say to them that would make them believe He is the Christ. Even when they saw all the works He did. “The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe.”

Like Philip and James, we are called to put our imperfections behind us and allow the Holy Spirit to use us. It will not be by your own ability but by the grace of God. Jesus himself says: “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”