The Power of Consultation.

Homily for September 12, 2017


When last did you take a very important decision? Are you about to decide on something right now? Do you have a myriad of choices before you such that you are quite confused as to which you should take now? Jesus teaches us a very important lesson in our Gospel passage this morning; CONSULTATION.

Many successful companies today have the practice of employing the services of consultants. Indeed, even for small start-up enterprises, the need for consultation is never taken for granted. To consult is to find out certain information from people or from historical facts that could help one make right decisions.

Even in our traditional setting, there is an adage that emphasises the need for consultation. It says: “What an elder sees sitting down, a young person can never see even if he climbs the top of an iroko tree.” We would be taking a gamble in life when we act based on our personal whims and ideas without first consulting.

Jesus was about to take a very important decision; one that would not only determine the nature and outcome of his salvific ministry but one that would eventually shape world history. Already, by this time, Jesus already had so many followers, men, women, children, fans and even detractors. By this time, the Scribes and Pharisees had already started nursing serious hatred for him and he knew where this was leading to; the fact that he would eventually be crucified.

So, there was need for him to officially appoint from among the crowd some persons whom he would elevate from the status of disciples to apostles. There was need for him to select persons who would be the key figures in the church he himself was about to establish; persons who would be closer to him; stay with him, learn from him and eventually continue his ministry after his departure.

And to take this all important decision, Luke tells us that Jesus spent an entire night in prayer. Jesus consulted with God all night long. He sought advice from God and it was only after this consultation that Jesus made his selection; first, he chose twelve persons – a number symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel; secondly, all twelve persons were men – a key reason why the Church does not ordain women; thirdly, none of these men chosen was perfect – not only would he accuse them of having little faith, one of them Judas would eventually betray him.

Dear friends, what we need to know about consultation with God is that we ourselves may not even like the outcome but we need to trust God enough to allow his will prevail. Left to me and my small brain, I would have chosen holier persons – sinless persons; I don’t think I would chose Judas Iscariot; in fact, I would have chosen some women given the saying that “what a man can do, a woman can do better.” But then, for Jesus to have chosen the people that he did after an all-night of consultation shows that indeed, God’s ways are not our ways. Indeed, the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisest of human wisdom. We don’t know anything!

Let us pray: Let Jesus, help me to always take the right decisions. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 23rd week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Colossians2:6-15 and Luke 6:12-19.)*


Fr. Abu.

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