Homily for February 28, 2017.
As we
gradually enter the season of Lent; a season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving –
three elements which require giving on our part, our readings today focuses on
giving thereby launching us into the spirit of Lent. When the rich young man
walked away from Jesus sorrowfully because of his refusal to let go of his
wealth, Peter began to recall how he left his fishing business with its hopes
and promises of a comfortable life, how Matthew left his tax collection
business, how James and John left their father Zebedee in the boat with the
hired men and how the other disciples also left family and possessions behind
to follow Jesus.
It was
clear to Peter that if they had not agreed to leave so much behind, they would
not be Jesus’s closest allies so he exclaimed: “Behold, we have left everything
and followed you.” meaning to say: “What would be our gain?” Jesus answered: “a
hundred fold in this time and in the age to come, eternal life.” For leaving
what they had behind to give their lives to God, they would receive something
better in return; eternal life.
The book
of Sirach this morning speaks of the beauty of giving to God. “Give to the Most
High… he will repay you seven fold.” However, when it comes to giving to God,
we must bear in mind that God is not a man who can be bribed. Do not go
stealing or committing one atrocity or another only to then come to church to
make hefty donation. This is not the type of giving God wants, he will not
accept it, such giving is called “unrighteous sacrifice.” It does not bring God’s
favour instead it attracts His wrath.
The kind
of giving God desires is one that proceeds from a clean heart. It is the giving
of our wills to God in full obedience to his commandments, it is the offering
of our bodies as temples for his indwelling; it is giving up our love for
material goods; detaching our hearts from the things of the world so it can be
attached only to God, it is giving ourselves completely as instruments for his
service in his vineyard just like Peter and the other disciples. This is the
type of giving that attracts reward both on earth and in heaven.
It is
rather unfortunate that these days, many go into ministry not to give
themselves to God but solely to acquire the very things they ought to give
away. While Peter left his fishing business to follow Jesus, today’s ministers
go into fishing business of different sizes and shapes. While Matthew left his
trade as a tax collector, today’s ministers use the pulpit to seek for government
appointments and other secular offices. While James and John left their father in
the boat, today’s ministers are busy building houses for their parents, paying
school fees and opening businesses for their siblings.
Church has
become big time money-making enterprise and “vocation” has become “career”
whereby ministers jostle for relevance through ostentatious lifestyles
competing with one another who drives the most expensive car or who owns the
most expensive mansion. It is no longer a question of who wins more souls, it
is now about who is working in the richest parish, who has doctorate degree(s),
or who has more connections. Just like in politics, God-father-ism has become
the order of the day whereby ministers have to bribe their way either in cash
or in kind to “advance” in ministry. One minister can afford to buy the latest
car and has chains of them for display because he is close to those at the top
but another in a remote community cannot even afford three square meals a day yet
it is the same field, the same vineyard.
We make a
mockery of God’s work without a spirit of detachment. No one says rich people cannot
become ministers but even in their riches, God’s ministers are called to be givers
like the Apostles. They are to be generous to one another, at least, share with
their collaborators in ministry rather than compete with worldly goods.
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to trust you more than money. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study:
Ecclesiasticus 35:2-15 and Mark 10:28-31).
Fr. Abu.
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