The Lord is Kind and full of Compassion.

Homily for July 9, 2018.

“My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Matthew 9:18.

Today’s Gospel passage happens to be Matthew’s version of the event that Mark reported two Sundays ago. It is interesting to note that Matthew’s account is different from Mark yet both spoke of the very same event.

This disparity reminds of us again of the fact that the Bible did not fall down from heaven as some think. The Bible is God’s word in human language. There are no errors in the Bible because it was inspired by God but given the human involvement, the Bible is subject to critical analysis.

What does this mean? To say that something is wrong simply because it does not appear in the Bible word for word is to be very shallow minded since as we can see today, even the Gospels are not perfect summaries of exact events in the life of Christ. Stop asking: “Is it in the Bible?” Instead start asking: “Is it the will of God?”

One important difference between Mark and Matthew in the above passage is that Matthew tells us that Jarius came to Jesus after his daughter’s death. In other words, Jairus believed that Jesus had the power to raise the dead to life just as the woman suffering from the issue of blood believed the fringe of Jesus’ garment could heal her.

Indeed, as our Psalmist sings today, “the Lord is kind and full of compassion.” As Africans, we know what it means to have a brother or sister abroad or in Government who is kind and full of compassion; a brother or sister, uncle or aunty we can always call to send some “dollars” or “alert” when we are in need. We do this out of faith; out of our belief that there is some money stacked up “in the abroad,” falling from trees in the white man’s land or being shared in Government offices. We never bother to find out the reality of life abroad or how we tacitly contribute to every growing demon of corruption that will forever keep our continent in poverty.

Today, our Psalmist encourages us to turn that faith towards God because He alone deserves the title: KIND AND FULL OF COMPASSION. Only God is kind because He alone owns everything in this world and He alone gives freely without demanding repayment. People may sympathize with us when we are down but only God is full of compassion – only God can actually understand what we are going through; only God can “passion with” us; only God can suffer with us.

If Jairus could walk up to Jesus after his daughter’s death, what is my problem that I now feel is beyond God’s intervention? Why not visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for one hour today? If for nothing, use that time to ask Jesus to show you how He has been kind and compassionate to you since the very day you were born. This exercise will boost your faith and transform your prayer life.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, there is nothing beyond your power, teach me to trust you more than ever before. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 14^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Hosea 2:14-20, Psalm 145:2-9, Matthew 9:18-26).*

Fr. Abu

(nb. Tune in to Lumen Christi, DSTV Channel 350 to catch up with a repeat version of our Sunday Homily on Mon., Wed. & Fri. by 3.15pm & 7:15pm. God willing, in the near future, we would have the facilities, resources, and personnel to broadcast daily on television).