Homily for January 26, 2018.
“As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; and he
shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had
no pity.” Nathan said to David, “You are the man.” 2 Samuel 12:5-7.
Our readings today are loaded with lots of lessons for us, some of which I
shall try to unpack.
First, let us consider for a moment the courage of Nathan. It is not easy
to confront people with the truth of their sins, not to mention if those
persons occupy very high positions of authority and power. In all of Israel, no
man was higher than David, yet Nathan found a way to rebuke him directly face
to face with his sin.
This is the job of a prophet. Many who call themselves prophets today are
nothing short of praise singers, motivational speakers, feel-good-speakers who
encourage evil and sin in our society by not confronting sin head-on.
I particularly titled this reflection “Adultery is a sin” on purpose.
Dear friends, regardless of what people think, regardless of whatever
definition our immoral world describes it, adultery is still a sin and on no
account whatsoever is the act of sex between two unmarried persons ever
justified. Using the words of David, anyone who indulges in adultery deserves
to die!
The truth is that our society tends to apply double standards when it
comes to adultery. If a man cheats, it is said that he attaches no emotions to the
act and his wife should just understand and let it go but when a woman cheats,
all hell must be let loose. This way of thinking reduces the woman to a toy;
something to be used, a second class human being who has no right to be
respected. If as a man, you can’t stand the thought of another man sleeping
with your wife, why do you cheat on her?
Secondly, another lesson we learn today is the wise old saying that when
one finger points at others, the remaining four fingers point back to the self.
See how David was moved to anger against the man in Nathan’s story not knowing
that he was only passing a judgement on himself. This is just life.
We tend to condemn everyone else but ourselves; we always see the specks
in people’s eyes but never notice the logs in our own eyes. We do things in
secret assuming people do not know but we seem to know what everyone else is
doing in secret. The faults we notice faster in others are those that we ourselves
are most guilty of.
Dear friend, this story calls us to examine our consciences very well and
repent.
Thirdly, we learn that nothing is hidden under the sun. The fact that no
one has confronted you yet does not mean people are not aware. It is better not
to do evil than to try to hide it. In an attempt to hide his adultery, David
ended up with Murder. Mind you, Uriah was no ordinary soldier, he was one of David’s
most loyal fighters; he was a personal person! Just know that sin can never be
hidden in this world. If you tell one lie, you need at least ten more lies to
cover it and each of those ten lies need ten more. How much more when you sin
with your body?
Thirdly, we learn that God is moved by a humbled contrite heart. David
was quick to admit his secret affair, he did not deny it! As a result of his
admittance of fault, David did not die immediately rather than he would serve
another punishment; watching the child of his adulterous affair die.
This tells us that even when we go for confession, there is still a
punishment we serve for committing sin. Many Catholics deceive themselves a
lot; they are like: “after all, isn’t just to go and confess.” A lady once told
a priest at confession that she was making plans to commit the sin she had just
confessed that very night. The priest had no choice other than to send her away
without absolving her; there was just no atom of repentance, she did not really
come to confess but to boast of her sinful escapades.
Dear friend, the God who killed David’s child and literally ended the
peace and harmony in David’s household after his adulterous act is the same God
that we serve. I don’t say this to scare anyone but to encourage us in our
resolve to avoid sin. Do not take God for granted, do not hide under the
pretext that Christ has taken away our sins on the cross, strive to avoid sin
even if it means shedding your blood because no matter how you try, you can
never escape the punishment of sin. from on Monday, we shall read about how
David had to flee like a fugitive from his own Son!!!
Does this message disturb your inner peace like the way the disciples of
Jesus were afraid of drowning in today’s Gospel passage? Jesus says: “Why are
you afraid? Have you no faith?” Believe. Believe that you can live above sin.
Believe that you are not just flesh but spirit. Yes, body no be firewood, but body
na also temple of Holy Spirit oh.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, renew my anointing every day. Amen
*Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent. Bible Study: 2 Samuel
12:1-7, 10-17 and Mark 4:35-41).*
Fr. Abu.
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