Homily
for September 6, 2017
Few days ago, we read of how Jesus went to the synagogue and was given the
scroll of the Prophet Isaiah to read wherein he found the passage that was
about him: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to
preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the
captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are
oppressed,” Luke 4:18.
Today’s Gospel passage is a direct manifestation of these words in the
life of Jesus. Inflamed by the Holy Spirit, Jesus visited Simon’s house where
he healed Simon’s mother in law and that same night, they whole community
brought to Jesus their sick and possessed relatives. It was a healing jamboree.
The following morning, Jesus rose very early and went to a quiet place
all by himself to pray. This action of Jesus teaches us a lot of lessons about
the importance of prayer as far as work is concerned. When we are led by the
Holy Spirit, we cannot afford to stay away from prayer. To pray is to refuel
one’s spiritual energy.
Again, that Jesus had to go to a quiet place all by himself to pray shows
he himself practiced what he preached when he told us in the sermon on the
mount: “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to
stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be
seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever
you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in
secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:5-6.
It is sad today to see Christians today who take pleasure in using
prayer to disturb others. Some believe that if they don’t shout at the top of
their voices, their prayer will not carry weight. I live in a community where
churches actually compete with loud speakers in the name of all-night. At times,
no one is able to sleep in the area because some persons want to pray to a God
whom they treat as if he is deaf.
Finally, even though Jesus became popular among the people because of
his healing works, he did not forget that his primary mission on earth was to
preach! “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities
also; for I was sent for this purpose.” Our primary task as ministers is not
healing but preaching. As St. Paul would say: “Woe to me if I do not proclaim
the Gospel.” 1st Cor. 9:16.
Preaching is an activity of the Holy Spirit. The preacher is an
instrument, a mouthpiece who delivers only that which he receives. “No one
takes this honour upon himself unless he is called and chosen like Aaron was.”
Hebrews 5:4.
Let us
pray: Lord Jesus, fill me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of
the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Colossians 1:1-8 and Luke
4:38-44).
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