Homily
for August 3, 2017
The
Psalmist today sings: “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place O Lord, Mighty God.” Does
it often occur to me that when I walk into a church I am actually at home? Am I
able to relax knowing that God is right there? Or do I consider time spent in
church as wasted?
In our
first reading today, we are told: “Then the cloud covered the meeting tent, and
the glory of the LORD filled the Dwelling. Moses could not enter the meeting
tent, because the cloud settled down upon it and the glory of the LORD filled
the Dwelling.”
The
Israelites had the privilege of seeing the glory of God in form of a thick
cloud. If only God could open our eyes to see his glory, ascending and
descending upon the tabernacle, we would not be able to contain ourselves. In fact,
I am sure we would opt to build three tents like Peter when he saw the
transfiguration.
As the
Psalmist sings: My soul is yearning longing and yearning, waiting to be in
God’s presence. A day in God’s house is better than a thousand elsewhere! I would
rather dwell in the foot-mats of God’s house than have a three bedroom suite in
the devil’s mansion.
Do I feel
this way about the house of God? Is there a sincere longing within me to dwell
in the presence of God? Is it among my list of top priorities? Am I willing to
sacrifice and let go of everything else just to be with God?
If this is
the case with me, then I am among the mature fish that the fishermen sorted out
after their catch while they threw the small ones back into the river. The small
fish represent those who do not consider the things of God as a priority in
their lives; those who pursue material things at the expense of their souls.
The good
news is that God is so patient with us. He is willing to wait until the Day of
Judgment, the day of sorting, the day of separating the sheep from goats and
the righteous from the evil. This means so long as we can still breathe, God is
giving us a chance to repent; a chance to order our priorities right; a chance
to grow deeper in our spirituality.
Don’t wait
till it’s too late. No one knows the last day.
Let us
pray: Lord Jesus, increase my love and devotion to you. Amen.
*Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of
the 17th week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 40:16-21; 34-38
and Matthew 13:47-53).*
Fr. Abu.
No comments:
Post a Comment