DAILY HOMILIES #Jesus

Even to this day, God is looking for people who will be willing instruments of His blessings to people. The joy, healing, liberation, and happiness you seek from God will not come in a vacuum, it will come through people. The question is whether you are also willing to become an instrument of God’s healing power and mercies to others.

Just as Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus, the Feast of St. Andrew introduces the Church to the season of Advent. St. Paul in today’s first reading says: “How beautiful are the feet of one who brings Good News.”

God is a king that can never be destroyed. He is greater than anything we can ever imagine or think of. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end the one who made us and sustains our life. As Jesus assures us today, “Heaven and earth may pass away but my words will not pass away.”

Right there on the cross, Jesus said: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34). When people reject you, it does not mean you are worthless, it simply means they are ignorant of your worth. Excuse them and move on.

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.

What makes a Christian different from any other human being on earth? Jesus Christ says: ‘Love your enemies.’ You are not better than any sinner if you only love those who love you.

Mary is not a goddess, she is a woman whose life serves as an inspiration for anyone who wants to follow God. She is a human example of what it means to be a Christian. Say ‘Yes’ to God. Let God have His way in your life and generations to come will honour you.

Hatred is deadly. The feeling of hatred makes you blind to the good in others. Hatred makes you criticize everything in everybody. Hatred takes away your happiness. The scribes and Pharisees could not rejoice at the healing of the man with a withered hand instead they started plotting to kill Jesus. Hatred literally turns us into little devils.

After the great catch of fish, Peter and his team left everything to follow Jesus. They did not go after the fish itself but after Him who caused the great catch. Do not worship the blessings (miracles) that God gives to you. Worship God instead. And even if blessings do not come, remember that we brought nothing to this world and we shall take nothing with us – God alone is enough!

We must face the truth, we Nigerians (along with our government) have failed and there is no amount of shouting in our churches daily that can change our situation. For instance, if you refuse to do any work, shouting “I receive it” in Church will not put millions of naira in your pocket.

As we reflect on the life of Bartholomew, we are called to look at our own lives. How committed am I to living uprightly? Do I tell lies? How close am I to God? How good is my prayer life? Do I still recognize Jesus Christ as God? Or have I come to take Jesus’ presence for granted?