(Homily for March 12, 2017).
As we proceed with our Lenten observances of prayer, fasting,
almsgiving, Stations of the Cross, abstinence and other forms of
self-mortification, it is easy for us to become carried away by the sorrowful
side of the cross that we forget what lies beneath it. Today, God is
essentially saying to us: “Don’t be discouraged, it may be painful for now, but
very soon, you will see the glory.” In the transfiguration of Jesus, we hear
Peter exclaim: “It is wonderful to be here.” That is essentially what we shall say
when we too behold the glory.
Why was Jesus transfigured? Jesus himself needed something to
hold on to in the face of the blows, the kicks, the slaps, the whips, the
spittle and mockery. The transfiguration experience gave him certainty that he
was on the right track. In fact, I am sure Moses and Elijah came to Jesus to
say: “THE TIME HAS COME! THIS IS WHAT THE WORLD HAS BEEN WAITING FOR, DON’T
LOOK BACK, YOU WILL SURELY SUFFER, YES OH, YOU WILL DIE, BUT DON’T WORRY, WE’VE
GOT YOUR BACK!”
It is important to note that the transfiguration occurred in the
course of prayer. If only God can open our eyes to see what really happens
during prayer, we would never afford to joke with prayer or skip it any longer.
The fact that we are yet to see Moses and Elijah ourselves
should not discourage us. In our second reading, St. Paul says: “Take your
share in suffering for the Gospel in the power of God.” The Christian life
involves a lot of suffering not for its own sake but for the glory that awaits
us. Do not try to cut down your cross by avoiding suffering, embrace it
instead, choose the narrow way, the path of self-denial. Never compare yourself
with those who “live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is
destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds
set on earthly things.” Philippians 3:18-19.
Our first reading today takes us back to the beginning of the
relationship between God and Abraham. At this time, his name was still Abram
and he was just 75. God was telling him to leave his father’s house to an unknown
destination in the assurance of blessings to come. Dear friends, please take
note that none of these blessings came to pass immediately. Abram experienced
tough times, he cried, he sweated, he was tested many times, twice Abraham lied
that Sarah was his sister, at a point he was even frustrated, he got tired of
waiting and decided to enter into Hagar at the suggestion of Sarah before he
eventually got Isaac.
From the time God called Abraham to the time when Isaac was born
was 25years. Dear friends, this is just our story. There is glory that awaits
us and we know that but for now, all we can see is the cross, all we can see is
pain. Don’t give up. The fact that things are not working out for you right now
should not make you look back or change your mind on your desire to be good.
The fact that people are laughing at you should not make you drop the cross.
Right now, it may be hard, it may seem as if God is not going to answer your
prayer or dry your tears. Just Hold On. After the Reggae comes the Blues. After
the Cross, comes the Glory. Hold on my dear, don’t throw your cross away!
Finally my dear friends, as they say the words of our elders are
words of wisdom. All the bishops in Nigeria gathered recently in Abuja and from
that meeting arose a communique titled: “NIGERIA: CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES.” The bishops spoke of the need for us to uphold the dignity and
Rights of the Human Person just as in the transfiguration, we heard a voice
saying: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” As
God the father upheld the dignity of Jesus Christ his Son, we too need to
uphold the dignity of one another. In this life, no human person is useless;
not even the unborn baby or the aged person who has become too old to take care
of himself or herself.
As the Bishops stated: “The dignity of the human person is
inalienable. It can neither be detached from the personality of the individual
nor taken away by anyone, not even by the state. It is inherent. From this
inherent dignity derive some basic rights. “These rights...are universal and inviolable,
and therefore altogether inalienable” (Pope John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, 9)… We
insist therefore that the dignity of every Nigerian should be recognised,
respected and protected by all. We affirm once again that right to life from
conception to death is the most fundamental right (Pope John Paul II,
Evangelium Vitae, 2). We highlight emphatically the right of every Nigerian to
liberty and security. The security challenges in Nigeria are indeed enormous.
Violence and insecurity fill many hearts with fear and anxiety. While we
commend the efforts of the government in the area of security, we notice the
upsurge of sporadic incidents of terrorist attacks, armed robbery, menace
caused by armed herdsmen, and kidnapping. The following questions need to be
considered. Who arms the murderers? What
are the sources of their funding? Who
are the instigators of this violence? Therefore, there is every need for the
government to intensify her search on the immediate and remote causes of this
violence.”
Furthermore, the Bishops added: “We maintain that all Nigerian
citizens should enjoy all fundamental rights and privileges wherever they live
in Nigeria… Citizenship rights are rights to life and dignity; personal
liberty; fair hearing; private and family life; freedom of thought, conscience
and religion; freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, freedom
of movement, freedom from discrimination, and acquisition and ownership of
property (1999 Constitution, Chapter IV)…. A culture of respect for human
rights and dignity requires a concerted effort. We therefore call on all
citizens to support good policies of government and work towards a humane
society.”
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, when the going becomes tough, toughen me more
to get going. Amen.
Happy
Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God
bless you. (Second Sunday of Lent. Year
A. Bible Study: Genesis 12:1-4, 2Tim 1:8-10 and Matthew 17:1-9).
Fr. Abu.
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