Sick and Tired of the Rules? Think Again.

(Homily for March 22, 2017).

Back then in Secondary School, my best subject was Mathematics. While others complained that it was too difficult, I considered it a play thing because I knew the secret.

I knew that formulas don’t change and as you progress further, you need to remember all the formulas you learnt in the past and keep applying them. You only miss the answer when you miss the formula.

What mathematics taught me is that in life, there are unshakable rules (formulae). Once you follow those rules, you can never miss your way! You will always get it right and the sky is your limit.

Coming to the Major Seminary, the first thing we were told was this: IF YOU KEEP THE SEMINARY RULES, THE SEMINARY WILL KEEP YOU. Fact!

At first, we hated the rules and thought out several ways of getting over them but we soon discovered those in charge of our formation knew our tricks better than we did since they were once in our shoes.

After nine years, I learnt that in life, it is our obedience to rules that makes us what we are and even if we succeed in dodging the rules, we can never become what the rules intended for us.

I have always been fascinated with cooking and I consider ever plate of food as a complete work of science, engineering, philosophy, creativity and faith. I know that if any of these factors fails, the food can as well become some kind of poison.

When I started learning to cook, what immediately struck me was that there are more rules in the kitchen than in the Bible; rules which must be obeyed religiously if one is to come out with healthy food. If you don’t know there are rules, try and see if you can prepare “eba” with fridge-cold water!!!

When it comes to keeping God’s commandments, I wonder why we become too often sick and tired. How do we hope to get the very best in life when we keep ignoring and disobeying the very rules of life? How do you hope to solve a mathematical equation when you ignore the formula?

As Moses told us in today’s first reading, keep the laws and live. This means: disobey the rules and die. In fact, without mincing words, many people today have become walking dead all because of the chronic and repeated failure to keep these rules.

And Jesus says he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfil them. Jesus not only lived out the rules to the fullest, he went further to give us the spirit of the law. There is no need to fight against the rules; no need to pick and choose. If we want to be great in heaven, then let us obey them and teach others to do likewise. 

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my hatred of sin. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 3^rd Week of Lent. Bible Study: Deuteronomy 4:1-9 and Matthew 5:17-19).

Fr. Abu.