Homily
for July 23, 2017
Last Sunday,
Jesus gave us the parable of the sower in which he described the kingdom of God
as a field where a sower sowed good seeds freely. Some seeds fell on good soil,
others fell on rocky ground, others fell along the path and others fell among
thorns. In this way, Jesus explained why some people never bear the right
fruits despite their constant hearing of the word of God.
Today,
Jesus continues talking about the kingdom of God in parables. This time around,
Jesus goes further to draw our attention to the fact that the devil also sows his
own bad seeds in that same field. This means that apart from our efforts to
ensure we have a good soil, we must also watch out for bad seeds being planted
in our hearts by the devil.
In John
10:10, we read: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” The only
thing that the devil wants is our destruction and so he never stops strategizing
and planning of ways to ensure that we miss heaven. No wonder St. Peter would
warn us saying: “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.
You see, the
devil is a copycat. When he sees the children of light receiving good seeds, he
thinks up new ways to ensure bad seeds are sown in them. Just as I could stay
awake all night in other to prepare a sermon in the hope that by listening to
it, we would draw closer to God, the devil also stays up all night preparing
his own type of sermon with the hope that God’s children would listen to it and
go deeper in sin. Yes, there are demonic pulpits everywhere today.
One clear
illustration of this parable is the Internet and Social Media platform we have
today. Do you know you can obtain a doctorate degree in theology right from
your phone by surfing materials online? In fact, there are millions of bible
study programs on the internet with complete pictorial illustration on
virtually every single verse of the bible.
However, that
same internet and social media contains millions of devilish materials such as hard-core
pornography, initiation into the occult world, vice and all kinds of evil. We cannot
avoid using smartphones rather it is for us to be aware that the devil also
loves the smartphone as he uses it to ensure that our minds are drawn away from
God. Be careful, it is not everything you swallow on the internet. Even on
television, there are good seeds, there are also very bad seeds of immorality,
indecency and vice purposely sown by the devil.
Even in the
church, there are persons sent by the devil. They come to church not to worship
God but to distract and confuse God’s children. Some may decide to dress
provocatively; almost completely nude to attract unscrupulous minds. And they
know they are not properly dressed, yet they never sit in one position, they
keep walking up and down, changing seats, running commentaries, cracking jokes
all in a bid to distract. Jesus says: “By their fruits, you shall know them.”
Matthew 7:16.
Instead of
looking at the Crucifix, you end up doing adoration to what a person is wearing.
Even while the preaching is going on, you fail to pick one word because your
mind is so distracted and carried away with so many things. You are leaving
church, but instead of a strong determination to be holy, you are even more convinced
of the need to remain in your former vices.
Others may
pretend to be holy but their mission is purely destruction. They may even hold
high positions in the church, they belong to all the societies in the church. They
are super active, always there, first to enter as soon as the doors are opened
yet they are actually ravenous wolves in sheep clothing. Some have sold their
souls to the devil and are convinced that there is nothing that will ever
change them, that there is no need repenting anymore since they will still go
back to sin.
Do not get
carried away by a so-called Christian brother or sister who comes to church
singing, clapping and dancing in the spirit only to lure you into fornication
right after mass. Do not be deceived. There are satanic agents in our midst. No
wonder Jesus would say: “it is not everyone who says Lord, Lord that shall
enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 7:20.
Don’t be deceived
by that brother or sister who appears to be so concerned about your welfare, always
asks about your family and your job, listens to you like a dear friend only to suggest
or advertise witch doctors, marine spirits and occult powers as the solution to
your problem. They are sent! Yes, they are not from us.
A former
fake pastor confessed how he would recruit agents to go to different churches
just to bring in members into this own church where they are initiated into all
kinds of demonic entanglements. They would assume the pastor is the solution to
their problems not knowing he himself is the cause of their never-ending
crisis.
Above all,
my dear friends in Christ, there is a day of judgment; a day we shall all be
harvested, a day we shall give an account of our lives. What kind of life am I living?
Will I be among those to be gathered and thrown into the furnace of fire where
there is weeping and grinding of teeth?
Let us
pray: Lord Jesus, save me from the many evils around me. Amen.
Happy Sunday.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (16th
Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A. Bible Study: Wisdom 12:13.16-19. Romans 8:26-27
and Matthew 13:24-43).
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