Bible
Study: 1st Corinthians 11, 17 to 26, 33 and Luke 7, 1 to 10.
The saying
is indeed true that you never value what you have because it is yours. We humans
have the tendency to value what belongs to others than what is ours already. The
grass on your neighbour’s lawn always appears greener than yours. Why? Because
seeing it from a distance gives you a better perspective than even your neighbour
himself. Though there are many arguments regarding the cause of our present
economic crisis in this country, one strong opinion is that we do not value or
take time to patronize our “Made in Nigeria” products but we are ready to die
for those made abroad.
In the
Gospel of John Chapter 1, we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God…. He came to what was his own, and his own
people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his
name, he gave power to become children of God.
This is
exactly what plays out in our Gospel passage this morning. The same Jesus that was
rejected by his own people, the same Jesus who was thought of as an ordinary
carpenter, the same Jesus who was accused of performing miracles by the power
of Beelzebub came in contact with a foreigner, a Roman officer in charge of 100
soldiers and Jesus was marvelled at his great display of faith. He exclaimed: “Not
even in Israel have I found such faith.”
The
centurion had so much faith in Jesus’ ability that he would not even have him
come to his unworthy house. He knew Jesus could just say the word even from a
distance and his servant would be cured. This same centurion built a synagogue
for the people not simply because he had the money but because he believed in
the God of the Jews. Even though he wasn’t attending services or worshiping at
the synagogue, his faith already qualified him. Whereas those who were
attending the synagogue did not have as much faith in God or in Jesus as this
man.
Could it
be that I do not value what I have? Could it be that I am working in a soap
factory but my body is smelling? Could it be that I do not have as much faith
as those who I consider to be unbelievers simply because they do not go to
church as much as I do?
Am I like
those Corinthians who come to church simply to fill my stomach without a proper
understanding or devotion to Jesus present under the appearance of bread and
wine? Do I make noise in church, laugh anyhow or drag for position and titles
because of my familiarity with the church? Wouldn’t it be a shame if a stranger
I invite begins to tell me to keep quiet since I am in a holy place? These are
very serious questions I must answer as I meditate today.
Let Us
Pray:
Lord
Jesus, as we celebrate the Most Holy Name of Mary today, fill our hearts with
devotion and Mary’s humility that our faith may be unshaken just like that of
the Centurion. Amen.
Good morning.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.
Happy new week.
Fr. Abu
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