Building the Family House.

Homily for September 28, 2017

A few days ago, we read of how Jesus said that his mother and his brothers were those who hear the word of God and keep it, thereby officially making us all part of his one family. The church can be likened to a family house, it is a place where we can rightfully call home, a place to relax and connect with the people that matter most to us.

When we are able to come to an understanding that the church is more than a building or a work of art, but our very family home, then we would stop at nothing to put it in a good shape. What son would be living in a mansion in the city while his father is squatting in a mud house with leaking roof in the village?

When we read 2nd Samuel, chapter 7, we get to see how God lavished blessing on David for merely having the mind of building a house for God. Even though, God wanted his son, Solomon to build the house, God blessed David tremendously. David asked Nathan, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent?”

Just as God was so happy with David for offering to build God’s house, Haggai convinces us in our first reading today that we should have such an attitude towards building the house of God; our family house.

Haggai says: “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?  Now therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have fared. You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes.” Haggai 1:4-6.

Note that it is one thing to have the means and still refuse to build the house of God. It is a different thing altogether if we do not have the means. God will not hold anyone responsible if he or she truly lacks the means to build. We should not give out of fear but out of sincere gratitude.

It is only when we have the means to build that the words of Haggai can apply to us.

Above all, we must not forget that just as it is important to build the family house (the church) physically, it is equally important that we build the spiritual house in our hearts and keep it clean daily by censoring our thoughts. Let God have a space in your mind always. Do not be like Herod trying to see Jesus only because he wanted to see miracle.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, teach me how to reverence the church and bless me as I build for you. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 25^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study:  Haggai 1:1-8 and Luke 9:7-9).