Honouring the Saints in Heaven.

Homily for Thursday 1^st November 2018

_“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” *Matthew 5:12*_

As Christians, we believe that we are simply on a pilgrimage here on earth. We believe that the way and manner we live on earth determine what becomes of us after we die. As the book of Daniel declares: “many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever ” Daniel 12:2-3. These are the persons we honour today.

Given that none of us is able to visit heaven to confirm those who are there, we only base our judgment on the way and manner a person lived while on earth. As our first reading today puts it, we assume that anyone who has “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14) is most likely in heaven.

Nevertheless, we know that among the saints in heaven, only a tiny fraction have been recognized and declared so by the Church. Indeed, only a few persons have been lucky enough to have had a panel set up to investigate their lives after their death. That is why on a day like this, we try to give honour to all the saints both known and unknown and by so doing we deepen our own aspiration for Sainthood.

To achieve heaven is to become a saint but to be declared a saint by the church is a different ball game. Aspiring to sainthood is different from aspiring to be canonized after one’s death. It is sad to say that for a country like Nigeria, no one has yet been declared a saint despite the rich history of Christianity in this country. In fact, when we think of the Saints, we are more likely to picture a white person; sainthood looks like something far away from us. In truth, what is far away from us is not sainthood itself but the politics of canonization. We must strive to become saints and worry less about whether or not we would be declared as such.

In our second reading, St. John assures us that by virtue of our faith, we are already God’s children but we know we shall be like God because we shall see him as He is. What does it mean to be like God or to see God as He is? Jesus answers this question in today’s Gospel passage with the beatitudes. Jesus lists out the qualities to be found in those who will enjoy the glory of heaven.

These qualities include poverty of spirit, mourning for the sins of the world, meekness, hunger and thirst for righteousness, being merciful, purity of heart, peacemaking and persecution for righteousness’ sake. So long as we pursue these, we know that sainthood is sure for us.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, bless my aspiration for Sainthood. Amen.

Happy New Month. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Solemnity of All Saints. Bible Study: Revelation 7:2-14, Psalm 24:1-6, 1^st John 3:1-3 and Matthew 5:1-12).

Disappointment on the Last Day.

Homily for Wednesday 31^st October 2018)

_“Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” *Luke 13:24*_

Have you ever been to an interview only to discover that the main person conducting the team of interviewers is someone you know right from childhood, someone who even lives right next to your house only for the person to treat you like a complete stranger? Can you imagine the rage and disappointment you will feel inside of you when you have to walk away not only empty-handed but without any iota of self-worth having been insulted by the team of interviewers?

Heaven is not difficult to attain yet there are many who will be greatly disappointed on the last day. There are many Christians who consider themselves good enough for heaven, who believe they have nothing to fear but would be shut out of heaven’s gate.

Jesus was asked if there would only be few to attain eternal life. He did not answer that question rather he tells us what we must do to achieve it. Heaven is not for a select few, it is for all those and anyone who makes effort to enter by the narrow door.

What is this narrow door? Jesus gives a clue by talking about many who were denied entrance despite having eaten and drank with the Lord (despite having partaken of Holy Communion, regular Church activities and so on).

The narrow door represents sincere and genuine worshippers of God who will never indulge in iniquity even in secret, Christians who walk the talk; Christians who know how to forgive; Christians whose lives more than their words proclaim God loudly to the world; Christians who hold on tightly to the cross and never leave the faith even in the face of difficulty.

From the way Jesus spoke, the narrow door is not restricted to Christians only. In fact, while many Christians would be denied entrance, “many will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God.” Luke 13:29. Being a Christian is not a guarantee of going to heaven as such, if you must remain a Christian, strive to be a good Christian.

St. Paul speaks to children in today’s first reading emphasizing the fourth commandment as the only one with a promise attached: “that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:3. St. Paul also speaks to slaves encouraging them to be obedient to their masters “not in the way of eye-service, as men-pleasers but as servants of Christ.” Ephesians 6:6.

It is not easy to be the one taking instructions or answering “yes sir” or “yes madam.” It can be tough when asked to do things you just don’t like. As humans, we all have our natural pride (self-worth). Nevertheless, the key to being an obedient child, assistant, servant, employee etc. is to realize that it is God you serve, not human beings. Obey the instruction of your elders, even if it makes no sense at the moment. Perhaps at a later age, you will be thankful you did. Obedience to elders is part of what it takes to follow the narrow door which Jesus talks about. It is always painful but rewarding in the end.

It is not easy to be obedient especially to a parent, an elder, a boss or a master who is difficult, proud, stingy or heartless. No wonder St. Paul was quick to add: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger… masters, act with forbearance, show no partiality.” The simple truth is that respect begets respect. It is better for your children, your servants or those under you to love you than to fear you. If they love you, they wouldn’t mind dying for you but if they only fear you, they would pray for your death.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, we commit our marriages and families to you. Help us be good children and good parents. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 30^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ephesians 6:1-9, Psalm 145:10-14 and Luke 13:22-30).

The Power of Love and Respect.

Homily for Tuesday 30^th October 2018

_“As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” *Ephesians 5:24-25.*_

In St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians today, we get to see two vital ingredients in marriage; Love and Respect. St. Paul encourages wives in particular to respect their husbands and husbands to love their wives. The truth is that love and respect are not two separate entities entirely; just as love is not complete without respect, respect is nothing without love.

The beauty of love and respect is that not only are they relevant for the sustenance of marriage, they are the two elements capable of sustaining any friendship. A friend who does not see anything of value in you, who constantly criticises, insults and condemns you is more likely to bring out the worst in you and bring you down. The kind of words we use on our spouses determines the direction of their lives.

Are you the wife or the husband who never stops insulting her husband or his wife? Do you suppose that by the continuous use of such words, he or she would suddenly change? Experience has shown that our spouses become the very names we call them so no matter how high your anger may be, continue to call your spouse exactly what you want to see in them. No matter how bad a person may be, praise, affirmation and encouragement tend to bring out the best in the person.

There is no need trying to be right always. Sometimes there is great wisdom in being the first to apologize and ask for forgiveness even if doing so hurts your pride. Do not think of the present moment only, think of what that little misunderstanding could amount to when allowed to fester on. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a grain of mustard seed which starts very small but soon grows to become a thousand times bigger than the seed.

Quarrels and fights in marriage are like grains of mustard seed. When these fights are not forgiven, they become like pieces of debris which we fail to take off. They pile up in our memories little by little and before you know it, they affect the quality of our love for our spouse. The person we once trusted with all our heart becomes someone else in our eyes. Once that trust is gone, little mistakes become magnified, we become blind to the good aspects of our spouse and what was once love becomes hate.

Love is a fire, if it is not properly fed with fuel, it quenches. Rather than simply trying to win that fight or that argument, focus more on pouring fuel in the fire of your love. One lesson the story of “Beauty and the Beast” teaches us is that love brings out the best in people. Your spouse may just be a beast who has been cast under a spell but he or she needs you (Beauty) to break that spell by the power of love. Love your spouse not because they deserve it but because you are Beauty.

Every time, you consciously do something to hurt your spouse deliberately, it always backfires, remember you are no longer two people but one person. Treat your spouse with all the love and respect you can muster as you would treat your own leg or hand which is wounded. You never argue or fight with your own body. You don’t cut of a hand or leg because it is injured, you treat it; your spouse is actually an extension of your body not a different person.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, we commit our marriages and families to you. Restore love and respect to those who now lack these qualities. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 30^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ephesians 5:21-33, Psalm 128:1-5 and Luke 13:18-21).

You Too Are A Child of Light.

Homily for Monday 29^th October 2018

_“Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” *Luke 13:15-16.*_

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, today, St. Paul reveals to us the essence of letting our light shine as Children of God.

1. Be kind to one another and tender-hearted.

2. Forgive one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

3. Be imitators of God, as beloved children. 

4. Shun fornication and impurity of any kind. Avoid obscene, silly, and vulgar talk.

5. Live a life of thanksgiving. That is, be grateful always.

And the key to walking as a child of light is first realizing who you are. You are not just anybody. The fact that you are reading or listening to this message right now already marks you out from the rest of the world. You are special, you are a child of Abraham. Satan has no right to hold you in captivity or in the bondage of sin.

In the Gospel passage, Jesus was in a synagogue on a Sabbath day and there was this woman who was completely bent over and she could not stand or walk upright. She had been under this bondage for eighteen years. When Jesus saw her, he immediately reached out to her, laid his hands on her and cured her. Jesus cured her not simply to prove he could disobey the Sabbath law but because of who she was: a daughter of Abraham!

Are you bent over spiritually because of your sins? As a child of Abraham, is Satan still holding you captive preventing you from letting your light shine? Does immorality reign in your life? It is time to get close to Jesus today to free you from bondage.

This woman was in this condition for 18years even though she was always going to the Synagogue. Some of us have been Christians for more than 18years yet we are still bent over. It doesn’t matter how many times you go to Church, what matters is that you are free from the captivity of sinfulness and your light actually shines!

The Pharisees represent a category of people who will never see anything good in anything that happens to you. Their minds are so filled with darkness that they always point out errors in everything. If you are failing, they say you lack sense, and if you finally succeed, they say you cheated. Negative minded persons are never grateful nor truly happy in life. Note that one of the criteria St. Paul mentions in our first reading this morning is that our lives must be pervaded by Thanksgiving.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, release me from the captivity of any sort preventing my light from shining. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 30^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ephesians 4:32-5:8, Psalm 1:1-6 and Luke 13:10-17).

Seeing is Not Always Believing but Believing is Seeing.

Homily for Sunday 28^th October 2018.

_“ And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more.” *Mark 10:47-48*_

The story of Blind Bartimaeus at first glance looks like one ordinary episode of healing by Jesus Christ but then, as with every single miracle performed by Jesus, there is more to what simply meets the eye. Today, the church calls us to place ourselves in the scenario of that powerful healing account that we may learn certain lessons and grow in our faith.

*1. Do You Recognise the Presence of Jesus?*

It is an irony that while a blind man did not have trouble recognising Jesus as the Son of David, (the promised Messiah), many of those who could see clearly with both eyes were having trouble believing that this “son of a carpenter” was really the Son of God. How many of us Catholics are able to “see” Jesus present, soul and divinity, in the Holy Eucharist? Bartimaeus was blind but deep inside him, he could see God present in the person of Jesus. This inner sight eventually brought about his physical sight. The book of Hebrews 11:1 says “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Unless we are able to see Jesus from within, we cannot see him externally.

*2. Seeing is NOT always Believing.*

One of the twelve disciples was absent when Jesus appeared after his resurrection and when he was told that Jesus had risen, he said: “Unless I place my hands in the holes made by the nails and feel his pierced side, I refuse to believe.” John 20:24-28. For many people today, seeing is believing. Now, let’s assume that after Thomas said these words, something entered his eyes and he became blind, would he have been able to believe?

Many of us are like Thomas, our faith in God is limited to what we can see and this explains why there are miracle centres everywhere which huge display of miracles, most of which are fake. Opening a church has become a sort of lucrative business for many and some employ diabolic means to pull crowds and keep them from leaving. Even when miracles are displayed, the moral life of our society continues to go down. Signs and wonders instead of drawing us closer to God now serve as mere entertainment in our churches.

*3. Do not Allow Anyone Discourage You.*

It is very sad that while Bartimaeus was trying to get Jesus’ attention, some people following Jesus told him to keep quiet. As Fr. Amadasun Idahosa mentions in his homily, “sometimes the disciples of Christ are often the greatest obstacles for people to encounter Christ.”

How do people try to silence us when we try to call out to God? One, by discouraging us from praying. Be like Bartimaeus, ignore their voice and continue calling out to Jesus. Another way those close to Jesus silence us is by scandal. When we see and hear things done by high ranking church officials as well as those who belong to respectable church societies, we feel like giving up on the Christian faith itself. However, by so doing, we actually cheat ourselves. Imagine if Bartimaeus had kept quiet because of the scandalous attitude of Jesus’ followers, would he get his miracle?

*4. Do not allow your Possessions act as Obstacles.*

A few Sundays ago, we read about the rich young man who walked away from Jesus sad because he could not let go of his riches and become a disciple of Jesus. In today’s Gospel passage, we are told that when Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was calling him, he sprang to his feet throwing off his cloak and came to Jesus. The throwing off of his cloak is quite significant here. Could it be that it is my love for riches that is preventing me from deepening my spiritual life? What are those things standing between me and God? What are those things I need to drop so that I can become a prayerful Christian? What are those things preventing me from going to Church?

*5. Prayer is not Just a Matter of Words.*

When Bartimaeus came to Jesus, Jesus asked him: “What do you want me to do for you?” This is the attitude of Jesus when we drop down on our knees to pray, when we come to church or when we visit the Blessed Sacrament. After asking us that question, Jesus looks into our hearts, he listens not only to our words but measures the level of our faith. As soon as Bartimaeus responded: “Master, let me receive my sight” Jesus said: “Go, your faith has made you well.” It is not enough that we tell Jesus our problem, we must do so with faith.

Our first reading today assures us that God cares about our wellbeing. God does not like to see us cry as Jeremiah assures us: “With weeping, they shall come, and with consolations, I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble” Jeremiah 31:9. If you must cry in prayer, let not your tears lead you to desperation or hopelessness, believe that God sees and will surely respond. Let the eyes weep but make sure the heart is firm with faith.

*Conclusion*

Faith is like a pair of glasses for one who is visually impaired. Faith enables us to see that our ordinary eyes cannot see. Faith is believing things that are not yet and the reward of faith is to see that which we believe.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, open our eyes to see and believe in you deeper and deeper. Amen.

Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (30^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year B. Bible Study: Jeremiah 31:7-9, Psalm 126:1-6, Hebrews 5:1-6 and Mark 10:46-52).

*N.B. As we celebrate our parish harvest today 28^th October, many have displayed great faith by giving despite the economic situation of our country. Thank you for helping us build our mass centre. I pray for you that what you have done in faith, you will see the reward in your very lives and harvest an abundance of all you pray for. God bless you.*

Every Sin is a Disaster.

Homily for Saturday 27^th October 2018

_“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus?  ³ I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” *Luke 13:2-3*_

Since yesterday, so many persons have sent me pictures of a man dressed in uniform of the Knights of a Catholic Church alongside with photos of his wife, their son as well as the picture of a little girl with the story of how this man together with his son allegedly defiled the girl who is now late as a result of the abuse. There was even a protest today concerning this issue. The poor girl whose name was given as Ochanya was an orphan who had come to live with the man and his family only for her to die in this way.

 A few days ago, we heard Jesus say: “whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” Luke 12:3. This case is one classic example of Jesus’ words coming to pass. If only the man or his son knew their pictures would be shared a thousand times over a million smartphones, I am sure they would have summoned the courage to say “No” to satan when such evil thoughts came to their minds.

Before we start pointing fingers, let us sit down and ask ourselves: Are there things I do in secret that I am ashamed of? Do I think I can continue forever? When I dress nicely to church and join societies, do I do it for people to respect me or because I really believe in God? Today, it is their turn, it will surely be my own turn tomorrow. The world will get to know all that I have been doing in secret. I hope when that day comes, I will be proud of myself.

Every sin is a disaster. There is just nothing we gain from doing something God hates. We may deny God’s existence but we can never deny the effects of sin. In today’s Gospel passage, it was reported to Jesus that Pilate slaughtered some Galileans and mixed their blood with the sacrifices offered to the idols. They were probably expecting Jesus to get angry at Pilate or even pronounce a curse on him but to their surprise, in his response, Jesus did not even mention Pilate’s name.

Imagine reporting Ochanya’s incidence to Jesus only for Him to tell you, “those who died such painful deaths, do you think they were worse sinners? No, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Are you the guy who after stealing huge sums of money assists in putting a tire on the neck of one who was accused of stealing few seeds of groundnuts while you watch with delight as he burns to ashes?

I read the comments section of that story and I see many are ready with stones to throw at the man and his son for molesting that young girl to death but I wonder what would Jesus say or do if he were in Benue State today. I wonder if he would say: “go ahead, stone them, kill them, yes, they deserve to die” or if he would say: “let him or her who has no sin be the first to cast a stone.”

If you are a Christian, my prayer for you is that the story of Ochanya would fill you with so much anger not just against this man and his son but against yourself for all your sexual sins. May this anger be so much that you would actually repent as Jesus warns in today’s Gospel passage! Imagine the horror of a building collapsing upon a person, let this horror so fill your heart each time you feel like “doing it” with someone that is not your legitimate husband or wife. Realize that what you refer to as pleasure is not really pleasurable because you are doing to yourself what Pilate did with those whose blood he mixed with the sacrifices.

There is no time to repent. Act Now or Never. Jesus gave the parable of a man who planted a fig tree in his vineyard only to be disappointed after three years because he did not find fruits on it. He wanted to cut it down but the vine dressed pleaded for mercy. He gave it another chance. God is merciful because he keeps giving us another chance to repent. Who knows? Today might just be your last chance! Repent before it is too late.

Sirach 21:1-2 says: “Have you sinned, my son? Do so no more, but pray about your former sins. Flee from sin as from a snake; for if you approach sin, it will bite you. Its teeth are lion's teeth, and destroy the souls of men.” In 1 Corinthians 6:18-19, St. Paul says: “Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God?”

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, touch my heart and free me from all my hidden sins. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 29^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ephesians 4:7-16, Psalm 122:1-5 and Luke 13:1-9).*

The Fire that Burns, yet does not Consume.

Homily for Thursday 25^th October 2018

_“Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.” *Luke 12:51-52*_

Going through the Gospel passage of today, one might become confused as to what Jesus really meant when he said he has come to cast fire on earth and bring division rather than peace. Isn’t Jesus’ statement in today’s Gospel passage a total contradiction of what he said in John 14, 27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

While attending a ceremony recently, the M.C was trying to introduce a certain person. He described him with all the sweet accolades anyone would wish for and ended by saying: “he is a friend of everybody, he has no enemies.” We all clapped for this person in excitement but someone sitting beside me refused to clap and when I looked at him, he noted: “one who has no enemies is not a good person. If he really has no enemies, then even the devil is his friend.” I got the message.

No matter how good you are, you cannot afford to be without enemies or at least, one enemy. No matter how peace-loving you are, you cannot make peace with everyone at every time otherwise you run the risk of compromising your core values. Indeed, the mere fact that you stand for God and uphold certain values already makes you a threat or even an enemy to so many people.

For us to really understand the fire and division Jesus is referring to in today’s Gospel passage, we have to return to the words of Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:29-30 states: “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.”

When you are passionate about the things of God; when your heart is set on fire for Christ and you want to live your life according to his precepts, there is no way everyone in the world will become friends with you. In fact, if you really want to serve God, certain relationships and friendships will suddenly die a natural death.

The story is told of a man who took his wife to be to see his parents. After exchanging pleasantries, he decided to announce the date of the wedding to his parents only to get the shocker of his life. His mother categorically stated that unless his fiancé becomes pregnant, there would be no marriage. He protested saying, they have been dating as Christians operating by the policy of no conjugal union till after marriage.

How was he now to meet such a requirement without committing sin? Will he suddenly dump the girl if she does not get pregnant immediately? Has pregnancy now replaced virginity as the ultimate standard for marriage? This is just an example of the fire Jesus is talking about; a fire that separates true Christians from Church goers. It is sad to say that our society has gone down so badly in terms of morality, so bad that what was once forbidden has become the law.

By going ahead to marry this girl, this man not only created a division between himself and his parents he also created enmity between his wife and his mother. True to the words of Jesus: “Henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three… mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Luke 12:52-53.

Are there family members who have stopped talking to you because of your Christian values and beliefs? Have you lost friendships or contracts because you refused to give an accent to sin? Know this: there is no need trying to make peace with everyone. Make peace instead with your conscience and enjoy true freedom. The day of reckoning awaits us all.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, set me on fire for you, may I never give in to sin out of fear of anyone. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 29^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ephesians 3:2-12, Psalm (Isaiah) 12:2-6 and Luke 12:39-48).

To Whom Much is Given, Much is Expected.

Homily for Wednesday 24^th October 2018

_“Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes, will find so doing.” *Luke 12:42-43*_

Today’s Gospel passage continues from that of yesterday. Jesus is speaking to us on the need to be prepared at all times for the day of reckoning.

You do not start fixing doors and windows the moment you are told that armed robbers are standing at your gate, No! You don’t wait till when you are famished and lacking energy before you think of what food to cook. You don’t wait till you are rushed to the hospital before you keep your surrounding clean. You do not wait till you are close to the grave before you begin to form new habits or try to live a holy life. The best time to begin is NOW.

Today is another opportunity that God has given you to be better than yesterday. Today is another chance to stretch forth your potential for virtue because you have so much good inside of you that is yet to be explored.

As Jesus was still speaking, Peter stood up to ask “Lord, do you intend this parable for us or for the people?” And Jesus responded by saying: “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

One of the mistakes we ministers tend to make is assuming the Gospel is meant only for those who listen to us every day and not for us. We easily become signboards showing the way and refusing to go there ourselves. We become like the lawyer Jesus talked about who heap burdens on people and refuse to touch them even with the tip of our fingers. To us, Jesus says: “to whom much is given, much will be expected.”

The minister is like the Faithful Steward. Remember Joseph was a steward in Potiphar’s house. The steward is in charge of the Master’s property, he is not the owner but he has power over it. The way and manner the steward behaves determine the life of the servants put under his care. Hence the saying goes: “if the priest is a saint, the parishioners are holy; if the priest is holy, the people are good; if he is good, they are average; if he is average, they are poor; if he is poor, they are bad.”

Jesus talked about the steward who goes about beating the menservants and the maidservants, depriving them of their rights while he himself eats and get drunk. Such a steward, Jesus says will receive a severe beating. In a similar vein, Jesus warned us saying: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” Mark 9:42.

Are you the leader of a pious society in the Church? Are you in charge of Children Sunday school or do you lead a Bible Study Group? Do you teach marriage courses? Be aware that you also qualify as a minister even if your work has no remuneration or upkeep whatsoever. What you do or refuse to do goes a long way to affect those under your leadership directly or indirectly. God will not make anyone a leader by mistake. He knows you are capable of feeding his flock, that is why you are there so let not your office be only about what you get, use your position to serve the body of Christ.

As a leader in the church, you must always update yourself by reading good books. You must constantly go back to the Catechism and other church documents. You cannot give what you do not have. I saw an article recently about a fuel tanker. The tanker may be loaded with fuel set to deliver fuel to a petrol station but if there is no fuel inside the vehicle’s engine, it cannot move. The tanker may be carrying 33,000 litres of fuel but it still has to queue up in a filling station to buy fuel in other to get to its destination. If its own engine is empty, the fuel you carry (your position and status) is useless!

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may my death not take me unawares. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 29^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ephesians 3:2-12, Psalm (Isaiah) 12:2-6 and Luke 12:39-48).