Homily
for June 17, 2017
What makes me a Christian?
Is it the church I attend or the way I pray? Is it the way I dress, talk or
behave around other people? Am I a Christian because of the place I come from
or the language I speak?
St. Paul tell us this
morning that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. This means that if I
say I am in Christian, there should be something unique about me, something
that makes me totally different, completely outstanding from the rest of
mankind.
The question is: “what
exactly differentiates a Christian from one who is not?” If we are able to
sincerely answer this question, it might shock us to know that a large
percentage of persons we call Christians today are not really Christians.
Let us take the issue of
obedience. St. Paul says: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in
Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with
God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself… And being found in human form
he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” Philippians
2:5-8.
Can we say a person who
lacks obedience is a Christian? If Christ could afford to obey even though he
knew his obedience would cost his life and I say I am in Christ, why should I
have a problem obeying even in matters that are not life threatening?
Now, let us consider the
issue of telling lies. Jesus teaches us this morning: “Let what you say simply
be ‘yes’ or ‘no’; anything more than this comes from the Evil one.” In other
words, if truly I am in Christ, I should be a new creature. I shouldn’t be
telling lies and if I am so used to saying the truth always, there would be no
need for me to try to assure anyone by swearing.
Indeed, to be a Christian is
to have Christ himself living in me. It is the presence of Christ within me
that then makes me a new creature, my approach to life, my behaviour, my
thoughts, my likes, my desires; indeed, everything about me should reflect
Christ. There should be nothing about me that is contrary to Christ.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, change
me completely from inside out. Amen.
*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 10th
Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 and Matthew 5:33-37).*
Fr. Abu.
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