Invite the Poor.

Homily for November 6, 2017.

“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.” Luke 14:13-14.

In Nigeria today, the success of an event is judged by the calibre of people who attend it, the number of cars parked in front of the event centre, the amount of dollars that was splashed on the floor and even the size of the souvenir.

It is sad to say this but the honest truth is that even those who can barely afford it go out of their way to borrow, some immediately renovate their houses or rent very expensive event centres just to show off to their “rich” friends who in turn also come to show off as well.

Indeed, event announcements these days come with the instruction “Strictly by Invitation.” It is all about class. No wonder many young ladies are out there praying night and day to get married while the men are shying away from marriage not because they really do not have the means but they think they don’t have enough to meet up to the standards already set by their colleagues.

Dear friends, Jesus is basically telling us today to be different. If we are truly Christians, we should not compete with the worldly standards. Feasts and parties should not be used as opportunities to show off but occasions for charity.

Go to an orphanage, visit a ward in a hospital, gather the Almajiri in the street, celebrate with them because they cannot repay you. God himself will repay you. St. Paul tells us in our first reading that we have benefited immensely from the mercy of God. it only follows that we too should be agents of mercy.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me a heart that considers the poor. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 31^st week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Romans 11:29-36 and Luke 14:12-14).