Homily
for June 15, 2017
Today’s message may be hard to
swallow or even practice but then, it is just the word of God.
Jesus tells us: “So when you
are offering your gift at the altar and you remember that your brother or sister
has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first
be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew
5, 23 to 24.
In these words, Jesus
underscores the importance of reconciliation over the gifts we present to God. In
other words, Jesus is saying that forgiveness and reconciliation are more
important to God than our offertory in Church.
I may have millions of naira
to donate in Church as offering, tithes, seed sowing, sacrifice, etc. but if there
is anger, hatred and unforgiveness in my heart, if I still plan to revenge
against what has been done to me, then my millions are completely useless to
God.
It will be better for me not
to put any offertory, go home first to be reconciled with those who are not in
good terms with me before coming back to make my donation. God does not need my
money, rather, he needs my love. And I cannot claim to love God who I cannot
see when I hate my brother who I see everyday. 1st
John 3:20.
Jesus says: “I say to you
that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment;
and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and
if you say, “You fool,” you will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matthew 5, 22.
Dear friends, the truth is
that It is easier to part with money than to part with self-pride and ego. It
is easier to give out money than to say: “I am sorry.” Forgiving others or
seeking reconciliation is a sacrifice on its own right.
It takes a lot from us to be
able to look at the one who has deeply offended us and say: “I forgive you. I
no longer have anything against you, I am no longer angry with you and I no
longer seek revenge.”
We may be the ones who are
right but that does not matter. It is not about who did wrong or who did right,
it is about seeking and giving forgiveness. This is what Jesus meant by ensuring
our righteousness exceeds that of the Scribes and Pharisees. If we cannot
forgive others, then it means we are no better than pagans and our Christianity
is just a form of self-deception.
Dear friends, you will know
when you have offered the sacrifice of forgiveness by the time you remember
what the person did to you and instead of feeling bad, you just smile, instead
of thinking of seeking revenge, you tell yourself you will never do such to
anyone. You will know when you have forgiven a person who owes you money when
you no longer desire to have that money back.
Think about this: when our
fingernails grow long, it is the nails we cut, not the finger itself. In every
relationship or encounter we have with people, nails are bound to grow because
people are not perfect, so when quarrels, misunderstandings and tensions arise,
aim at cutting the nails rather than the relationships itself.
“Owe no one anything, except
to love one another; for he who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law.” Romans
13:8
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give
me the grace to let go and rid myself of all my past pains, disappointments,
bitterness and insults. Help me offer a sacrifice of forgiveness on behalf of
anyone who has hurt me in the past. Amen.
*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 10th
Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 3:15-4:1.3-6 and Matthew 5:20-26).*
Fr. Abu.
No comments:
Post a Comment