Homily
for September 9, 2017
Today’s
Gospel passage teaches us a lesson: that there is whole world of difference
between spirituality and religiosity. It is one thing to worship God in spirit
and in truth but a different thing altogether to be religious. The difference
accounts for why a country like ours could be rated as the most religious in
the world and the most corrupt at the same time.
While
religiosity has to do with worshiping God through external acts, spirituality
has to do with rendering to God a worship that is from the heart. Now,
religiosity is excellent when it is accompanied by true spirituality but when
that is lacking, it becomes a mere show, a mere observance of rules and nothing
more.
In the book of Isaiah, we read: “The Lord said: Because these people
draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips, while their hearts
are far from me, and their worship of me is a human commandment.” Isaiah 29:13.
Jesus himself quoted this passage of Isaiah in Matthew 15:8 and Mark 7:6.
Part of
what it meant to be religious in the time of Jesus was that even if one is
extremely hungry, he or she was not to do any work at all. And “work” includes
plucking a fruit to eat. In the name of keeping the Sabbath holy, some Jews
would not even get up from their beds to drink water since that too is considered
as work. Yet, the basics of religion which Jesus defined to the Samaritan woman
as “worship in spirit and in truth” are absent. (John 4:23-24).
Because we
Nigerians are so religious, our churches are packed full Sunday after Sunday,
we believe so much in God and we are not ashamed of displaying our religiosity
but we lack the spirituality to keep God’s commandments. We are like people who
will not pluck grains and eat when hungry in the name of keeping the Sabbath
whereas our pockets are loaded with stolen grains.
The action
of Jesus, the fact that he not only “broke” the rules but defended himself for
doing so calls us to really re-examine and give a second thought to some of
things we do in the name of religion. Are we really worshiping God or could it
be our religious observances are mere lip service?
Repentance
is the key. To repent is to move from mere religiosity to true spirituality. No
wonder St. Paul in today’s first reading reminds us of our past and encourages
us to change by saying: “you who were once hostile in mind, doing evil things
have now been reconciled… in order to present you holy and blameless.”
Let Us
Pray: Lord Jesus, change me but let this change begin from the inside. Amen.
*Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday
of the 22nd week in ordinary time. Bible Study: Colossians 1:21-23
and Luke 6:1-5).*
Fr. Abu.
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