DAILY HOMILIES #sacraments

Each time we attend the Sacraments, Jesus asks the question He asked the two blind men following him in Matthew 9:27-30, “Do you believe that I can do this?” If you believe Jesus can do it, you will receive your miracle. However, if you do not believe, you are no different from the people of Jesus’ hometown.

Reflecting on the life of Prophet Elijah, St. James concludes, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power in its effects.” It is not enough to spend a whole night praying; pay attention to what you do when you are not praying (daily life activities) and strive for righteousness.

The saying goes, ‘When the student is ready, the master appears.’ We must be ready for God with hearts positively disposed to listen like Samuel, who said: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” He didn’t say: “Please, stop disturbing me. Can’t you see I am trying to sleep?”

The fact that one is anointed, chosen, ordained, or consecrated or has received the sacraments does not remove a person’s habits, thoughts, desires, and sinful inclinations.

Each time we attend the Sacraments, do we hear Jesus asking us the question he asked the two blind men who were following him in Matthew 9:27-30; “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

Jesus sent them out two by two. As far as winning souls is concerned, no one ever succeeds alone.

God never calls us just for our own sake. No! Whenever He calls, it is always so that we too can, in turn, call others. When God called Matthew, he brought all his friends to Jesus and there was a great party in his house. Many of those often regarded as sinners (for the sake of their job as tax-collectors) repented and started walking in the light from that day on. As Andrew went on to call Peter, Jesus desires that each one of us would bring at least one person to Him in the course of our lifetime. In truth, our mandate as Christians is to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15).

Have you being a mediocre Christian? Repent! Be like Jesus who desired to fulfil all righteousness. Have you stayed away from the sacraments for a long time? Repent! Jesus believed in the outward signs that convey inward graces to our souls. Have you abandoned your baptismal promises? Repent! Ask for God’s mercy; renew your baptismal promises and start all over again.