DAILY HOMILIES #hypocrisy

Be good. Be convinced of your Christian faith and just do the right thing. Just as the Samaritan woman went to tell everyone in the town about Jesus, this is a time for us to proclaim Jesus to the whole world like the blind man: “One thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25).

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.

How do we acknowledge God before people? By putting God first in every decision and choice we make. Get used to doing what is right especially in secret and you will not have a problem acknowledging God publicly.

True change can only begin from the inside. As the saying goes, if you want to change the world, begin with the man you see in the mirror. If my preaching must be of any relevance, I must first do away with my hypocrisy and love for money. I must admit the truth and lead by example so as not to demand certain standards from the people which I am not even willing to meet.

Jesus accused the scribes and Pharisees of not teaching the truth regarding swearing and oath-taking. Jesus called them blind guides because they were teaching things that they themselves did not even know.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus likened the Scribes and Pharisees to whitewashed tombs which were beautiful to look at from the outside but were full of dead men’s bones inside. If people get close to me, would they see something different from what I portray in public?

Let us examine our consciences and repent. We should not be so interested in attempting to convert anyone as much as we should be interested in living in the light ourselves.

While people were busy pointing fingers, Jesus was busy winning a soul to himself. While others were calling names, Matthew was busy examining his conscience. In the end, this same Matthew became one of the greatest Evangelists of all time.

Aren’t we being hypocrites when we pray just so that people may hear us pray? Know this: it is never between you and them, it is always between you and God.

Since truth is bitter, whenever we are told the truth, it tends to sound like an insult to us. No one is perfect. You are not always as good as you like to assume. Be humble, be willing to learn.

The hypocrite knows the house is dirty and smelling, he goes ahead to paint the outside walls but allows the inside to decay even more. The Christian knows the house is dirty and smelling, he begins the washing from the inside gradually, cleans everywhere before painting the outside.

Let us examine ourselves today: Do I practice what I preach? Am living in pretence? Do I do in secret those things I condemn in public?