To be Sentenced to Death for Truth?

Saturday 1st July 2020. Read Jeremiah 26:11-24, Psalm 69:15-34, Matthew 14:1-12

“Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, and he said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.’” (Matthew 14:1-2)

Jeremiah and John the Baptist had something in common; they were not afraid of the establishment, they were not afraid of people, they spoke the truth and were willing to die in defence of the truth. Jeremiah was a young prophet when he had to confront an assembly of priests and prophets who were far ahead of him in age. John the Baptist also was probably in his thirties and he faced Herod, the king, to tell him it was not lawful for him to take his brother’s wife and be living in an adulterous manner.

Prophesying is not the same giving a merely motivational speech. There is an aspect of prophecy that clearly brings discomfort to its listeners. Preaching truth is not easy. Anyone determined to take this path must be prepared for death. And this persecution surprisingly does not always come from unbelievers (outsiders to the faith).

Persecution also comes from within; from the very persons who ordinarily appear to be closer to God. This is the scandal we see in the case of Jeremiah. While the prophets and priests “sentenced him to death,” the princes (civil authorities) were the ones who came to Jeremiah’s defence. What an irony!

In our society today, there are too many Herods who believe they can do anything, take any woman or man they want, tell any lie; steal any amount they wish to, etc. They even brag saying nobody, not even the Supreme Court can stop them. Like Herod, they may kill the body but they can never kill the truth.

Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, the founder of the Order of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). He was an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, composer, musician, artist, poet, lawyer, scholastic philosopher and theologian. He was born on 27^th of September, 1696 and died on this day 1^st of August, 1787 at Pagini, in Italy.

Amongst his favourite quotes include: Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest and most loving of friends. Your God is ever beside you - indeed, He is even within you.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, if saying the truth means death for me, teach me to die properly. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Jeremiah 26:11-24, Psalm 69:15-34, Matthew 14:1-12).

For Live Mass and other online contents, visit www.bhlpmedia.com. These reflections are now available in print, consider giving out copies to friends, family members and those not on social media

When the Truth Hurts.

Friday 31st July 2020. Read Jeremiah 26:1-9, Psalm 69:5-14, Matthew 13:54-58

“Coming to his own country he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?’” (Matthew 13:54)

While Jesus faces rejection from his own countrymen in today’s Gospel passage, Jeremiah is almost lynched by the priests, prophets and people in our first reading. Dear friends, when we are hit by the truth, it is either we look inwards and fight our sinfulness (repent from sin) or we try fight the person who is telling us the truth.

Most often, it is the latter we choose. We find it more convenient to fight the mouth telling us the truth than to fight our love for sin. We tend to challenge the authority of those whose tell us the truth, we question their origin, we look down on them, we argue against them and discredit them at all costs. This is the reason Jeremiah and Jesus are rejected.

In the case of Jeremiah, the priests, prophets and people told him directly: “You shall die…” These people had become so hardened in their hearts that they could no longer see anything wrong in their evil ways. For Jesus, his countrymen could not fathom the fact that “a mere son of a carpenter” could suddenly become so wise and so powerful. They had a choice to make; either to accept Jesus as God or to treat Him as an imposter.

Truth, like medicine, is always bitter but in the end, it brings healing. Do not try to fight the truth. Accept it with all its bitterness and it will set you free. We may succeed in shutting down our prophets (removing their posts from social media, blackmailing them etc.) but we cannot shut down truth.

Today we remember St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus also known as the Jesuits. Ignatius was on his way to military fame and fortune when a cannonball shattered his leg. Because there were no books of romance on hand during his convalescence (healing process in the hospital), he whiled away the time reading the life of Christ and lives of the saints. His conscience was deeply touched, and a long, painful turning to Christ began.

Ignatius was a true mystic. He centred his spiritual life on the essential foundations of Christianity—the Trinity, Christ, the Eucharist. His spirituality is expressed in the Jesuit motto, ad majorem Dei gloriam—“for the greater glory of God.” He is the Patron of Retreats.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me the wisdom to recognise the truth and apply it in my life and the grace of humility to accept corrections. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Jeremiah 26:1-9, Psalm 69:5-14, Matthew 13:54-58).

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Thursday 30th July 2020. Read Jeremiah 18:1-6, Psalm 146:1-6, Matthew 13:47-53

“When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age.” (Matthew 13:48-49)

One of the four marks of the Catholic Church is holiness. When we say the church is holy, it is not to say that there are no sinners in the church, rather we mean that the church is set apart; different from any other human organization or group. The Church is God’s kingdom on earth.

As Jesus puts it, the kingdom of God is like a massive catch of fish; fish of all kinds, shapes and sizes. As soon as the fishermen drag it out of the water, they do sorting; they throw the bad ones away and package the good ones into vessels. Within the church also, there are all kinds of people; the good, the bad and the ugly.

The story is told of a woman who met the priest and said she was leaving the church. According to her, the church is full of people who gossip a lot, people who are not faithful to their marriage vows; sinners and so on. The priest then gave her a glass full of water and told her to walk through the aisle of the church without allowing a single drop fall from the glass. When she came back, the priest asked her if she noticed anyone gossiping, or doing anything wrong while she was walking with the glass. She said: “No.” Then he told her that whenever she comes to church, her only focus should be on Jesus Christ just as her focus was on that glass.

Dear friends, your membership in the church should not be determined by the presence or absence of evil-doers. Apart from being a gathering of “saints” the church is often a “field hospital” for the wounded. You are either a patient or a doctor in this hospital called the church. If you consider yourself healthy enough and knowledgeable, your duty is simply to heal others. Shine your light, that others may give glory to God. Show good example. Become a positive influencer for good.

In today’s first reading, God made Jeremiah go to the potter’s house to see how he was working. When the clay on which the potter was working became spoiled, the potter reworked it into another vessel. Like this clay, there are many who need reworking; many who desperately need inspiration and mentorship today.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, mould me until I become exactly what you intend. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Jeremiah 18:1-6, Psalm 146:1-6, Matthew 13:47-53).

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How Much Is Your Faith Worth?

Wednesday 29th July 2020. Read Jeremiah 15:10-21, Psalm 59:2-18, Matthew 13:44-46

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44)

If I were to offer you money in exchange for your Christian Faith, how much would that be? How much money would be enough just for you to denounce your relationship with Christ forever?

A young man parked a very expensive car by the road and decided to conduct a social test. He stood by the corner and tried asking a lady out but she bluntly told him she was not interested, and then he started walking towards the car. When the lady noticed he was the owner of the car, she ran to him saying she was now interested. Another lady who initially said her wedding was coming up also ran after him when she noticed his car.

Like these ladies, we are not yet fully converted unless we reach a point where all the money in the world is no longer enough to buy our faith. If God is not a priority in your life, if you cannot let go of everything else like the merchant who sold all his possessions just to buy a field containing a treasure (or just one fine pearl), you do not deserve that kingdom.

Can I really say: “With Jesus alone, I am satisfied?” Am I willing to sacrifice all I have, all my friends and connections, all my possessions just for the sake of being part of God’s kingdom? Can I say with the psalmist today that “God is my refuge in the day of my distress?”

In the face of the persecutions Jeremiah suffered, God assures “they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you.” Do I have such firm confidence in God? Or is it the case that my bank alerts give me more confidence?

The life of St. Martha teaches us the need for closeness to Jesus. What stops me from cooking even a single meal today to feed one or two poor people around me so that in that way I am feeding Jesus? Remember “When I was hungry, you fed me; now enter into the home of my father.” St. Martha, pray for us.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to live a good life. Amen.

Happy new month. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Jeremiah 15:10-21, Psalm 59:2-18, Matthew 13:44-46).

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The Seeds and the Weeds.

Tuesday 28th July 2020. Read Jeremiah 14:17-22, Psalm 79:8-13, Matthew 13:36-43.

“They will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and throw them into the furnace of fire.” (Matthew 13:41-42)

In today’s Gospel passage, we see Jesus explaining the parable of the wheat and the weeds. In this parable, Jesus was not talking about non-Christians neither was he talking about anyone outside the territory of God’s kingdom.

On the day of our baptism, God admitted us into his kingdom and we now answered the name, Christian. However as time went on, Satan sowed very bad seeds in our hearts so instead of bearing fruits, we became weeds (useless plants) misusing God’s gifts freely bestowed on us and living below God’s expectations.

Some Christians are a disgrace to the body of Christ; not only do they fail to bear the right fruits needed, but they also prevent others from doing so through scandal, peer influence and outright wickedness. Let us look inwards and examine our hearts: “Who am I in God’s kingdom? Wheat or a weed. What kind of influence do I have on others?”

Jesus did not tell this parable to frighten us or pronounce anyone as condemned. The fact that Jesus concludes with the statement: “He who has ears, let him hear” shows that Jesus gave the parable as an admonition to us. As we listen to (or read) this homily, God is giving us an opportunity to do two things.

One, let us identify and clear out the weeds in our heart that is making us look like weeds. Two, following the prayer of Jeremiah in today’s first reading, let us humble ourselves and beg for God’s mercy and His grace to live up to our true calling as God’s children. Jeremiah prays: “O Lord we acknowledge our wickedness, we have sinned against you… do not break your covenant with us” and our Psalmist adds: “For the sake of the glory of your name, free us O Lord.”

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, free me from the web of sin that I may begin to bear good fruits once again. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Jeremiah 14:17-22, Psalm 79:8-13, Matthew 13:36-43).

For Live Mass and other online contents, visit: www.bhlpmedia.com

Never Underestimate Little Beginnings.

Monday 27th July 2020. Read Jeremiah 13:1-11, Psalm: Deuteronomy 32:18-21, Matthew 13:31-35.

 “It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. (Matthew 13:32)

The distance between you and sainthood is just one little step in the right direction. A good act done today is like a tiny mustard seed that is sown upon the ground, or like a tea-spoon of leaven capable of mixing a large quantity of flour. 

Helping a poor little child with food this afternoon may seem like nothing, but such an act is a seed. Someone may be inspired by your action and this could become the beginning of a chain of positive actions. The child may never forget that experience and may eventually grow up to become a great person tomorrow.

The first time you do something is always the hardest time. Beginnings can be very deceptive and discouraging. Hence, the parable of the mustard seed is one parable we must keep reminding ourselves of when we feel discouraged.

Jesus tells us that the kingdom of God begins as a mustard seed; he did not tell us how many seeds. You have to keep planting until it grows. Robert Kiyosaki, the author of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” said when he was told that “nine out of ten businesses do not survive their first birthday,” he became determined to start one hundred businesses in the hope of creating at least ten successful businesses.

Do not be discouraged by your failures in spiritual life. Keep planting. Keep applying your little leaven. In the miracle of the loaves, just five loaves and a few small fish was enough to feed a whole multitude. Do not be discouraged by little beginnings. Bring it to God and He will work with your little to make it great.

In our first reading, God laments the level of moral degradation in society. He told Jeremiah to buy a waistcloth (undies) and place it in the Euphrates in the cleft of the rock. When he placed it, it was still good but by the time he went back for it, it had become spoilt. When society places values in the wrong places, the total corruption of society as a whole is unavoidable.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I never lose hope in what is good. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Jeremiah 13:1-11, Psalm: Deuteronomy 32:18-21, Matthew 13:31-35).

For Live Mass and other online contents, visit: www.bhlpmedia.com

THE GANG OF DIABOLICAL ROBBERS

Very many years ago, I recall an experience I had which has now proven to be an unforgettable one. I was perhaps in my early teens back then. I had a passion for two things: computers and my Catholic Faith. I remember clearly going to a computer centre (cybercafé) to while away time before going to the Church. I stood on the road waiting for a taxi, several of them passed and they were all full. I thought of trekking all the way to the junction where the vehicles usually gather to load passengers but there was not enough time for me so I continued waiting.

Luckily for me, there was one taxi with exactly three passengers already. I was happy, here comes my ride. As I waved towards it, I noticed they passed me at first only to clear out of the road at some distance. I went towards the taxi and asked in the usual fashion: “Ring Road?” The driver said: “Enter.” I did. Although this was years ago, I still remember I saw a very old man at the edge of the back seat with another man in his early forties, then there was a woman in the front seat. I became the third passenger at the back seat. It wasn’t long before the vehicle stopped to pick up another man along the road.

Then the conversation started! The driver started complaining seriously that when he picked up the last passenger, he checked his boot and noticed that there was a bag full of dollars and that he would be in trouble if he had been stopped by the police. The old man immediately owned up that he was the owner of the bag and that he was running away from his boss who had just died but that his boss was an extremely rich person so he along with other workers in the house had to loot what they were capable of taking before family members would show up.

The other members of the vehicle started commenting on the fact that the old man had put us all in trouble and so we were all going to share in the money. I was the only person who was quiet all through. At this point in my life, I had only seen dollars on the internet and in movies, I had never even owned more than five thousand naira before. I kept looking at them. Then the Old man said that he would allow everyone to share in the money but he suspects that his boss was not clean. As soon as he said this, the other passengers including the driver said: “That one is no big deal, we shall urinate on the money and by so doing nullify any demonic connection on it.” In fact, the driver suggested that we all go to a particular house immediately for sharing.

As much as I was excited at the possibility of becoming a rich man instantly with my share of the bag of a million dollars, I remembered that I was on my way to Church when I boarded the vehicle. This is where God sent His Angel to rescue me. All of a sudden, I told the driver, “Stop me. I want to come down here!” Even as I uttered these words, it didn’t seem as if they were coming out from my lips. The driver asked me repeatedly: “You want to come down?” I said: “Stop me here now!” As I kept repeating the words “stop me here” my intonation continued to rise. The other passengers looked at me one after the other and I looked back at them eye to eye. The driver angrily pulled the vehicle over and said: “Come down!” He didn’t even ask for the fare.

I came down from the vehicle smiling and happy as though I had just won a trophy yet deep within me, I felt I had lost an opportunity to make my family rich. I was still too young to understand what had just happened. There was still a long distance between where I had asked them to drop me and the church I was going. I jogged all the way and went into the Church. I told myself that I would never share this experience with my classmates in secondary school (minor seminary). I felt that by telling them how I walked away from the million-dollar vehicle (even though I never saw the bag or the money with my eyes), they would laugh at me and call me names.

Back in the day, we (youth) always did things to prove to one another that we were rich, connected and superior. Reflecting back now at the games we played on each other to gain self-respect just makes me laugh. Some of us who came from very poor families would lie to others that we were just too rich in our families and we would create all kinds of stories to intimidate others. I was yet to study Philosophy and did not know how to engage in critical thinking (logic) so it was very easy for me to believe everything I was told.

Months and even years passed and I would always ask myself: “What would have happened if I didn’t come down from that vehicle?” I imagined returning home that day with some bundles of dollars and my dad would proclaim a feast. I also imagined how he would first beat me up and tell me to return it before I would now tearfully confess that I had not stolen it but I was smart enough to enter the right vehicle. I never imagined that I would have been a victim of crime ranging from kidnapping, broad daylight robbery, hypnotism or even money rituals. It is only after hearing of the experiences of others (being a priest today) that I realize it was purely by Divine intervention that I came out unhurt and untouched from that vehicle. I never knew I had boarded a one-chance-vehicle.

The shocking truth is that this diabolic business is very much active and rife today. With every story I hear from victims, I realize they keep upgrading their techniques like android apps are upgraded every now and then. I also realize that the number of vehicles involved in this demonic business continue to increase every day.

Not too long ago, a driver who was sent to collect some items from me fell victim. According to him, the moment he entered the vehicle, he forgot himself completely. He gave one of the men his ATM card and told him the password. The vehicle stopped at a bank and the man withdrew all the money he had and returned the card to him. Then he said “Thank you”. It wasn’t until he had come out of the vehicle that he regained his senses.”

A woman told him how she had gathered her entire sales from the market and was on her way to the bank to pay in the money so that they would bring more goods from her from Lagos only for her to board one of such vehicles. She opened her bag and gave them everything, she even gave them her phone and her wallet. She said she felt like giving them her earrings and her shoes until one of them told her it is okay. She said she was so excited giving them these things until they asked her to come out of the car saying they had reached her destination. When she came out and saw the bank, she remembered her self again and burst into tears.

The one I heard today which motivated me to write this piece was heartbreaking. A nineteen-year-old girl living with her grandmother fell into the hands of these diabolical thieves. In her case, they first took her to a particular house where they told her about a precious stone and how she was going to get it. Then they asked her if her grandmother had any money and she said yes. They then drove her to her house and waited at the gate.

She came out of the car, entered the house and ransacked the entire house for everything of value she could find. She gathered them into a bag. Her grandmother confronted her but she lied saying she was looking for something she lost. Her grandmother did not even suspect her because she had never stolen or lied since her mother brought her as a one-month-old baby. When she was leaving with the bag, her grandfather saw her and asked where she was going and she lied that she was going to pay the “keke” driver who brought her. She took the bag, gave it to gang of robbers who then asked her to go and get sand. As soon as she left to get the sand, the vehicle drove off and she realized herself.

Dear friends, you may have heard similar stories. These people operate everywhere. I would end by sharing some tips on how not to fall victim to these vicious criminals.

1. Prayer is the key. Pray at all times. Call on God before you leave the house or board a vehicle. If possible, carry a bottle of holy water with you and sprinkle it on the vehicle you intend to enter as discreetly as possible.

2. Try as much as you can to board a vehicle only at the main park and check very well to be sure that it is actually a commercial vehicle.

3. Do not partake in any conversation in the vehicle until you come down. If possible, the moment a conversation begins to form around the subject matter of money, gold or treasures stolen or found, come down immediately. Know that once you are inside a commercial vehicle, anything can happen. Be on guard. Watch out for cues that the driver may be colluding with other passengers in the vehicle.

4. Be strong in your Christian Faith. Be a prayerful person. Keep God’s commandments. Don’t just listen to the word and deceive yourself. Practice God’s word in your daily life. Avoid Greed. Don’t take or envy what is not yours. God has told us that by the labour of our hands, we would eat. Not by luck or taking advantage of others.

Perhaps these tips are not exhaustive. Feel free to add yours as you share and inform others. I continue to pray for you. May you never fall victim or be deceived by such a gang of diabolical robbers and may the blessings of Almighty God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit come upon all who read this piece both now and forever. Amen.

Fr. Abu

Wisdom is better than Riches.

Sunday 26th July 2020. Read 1 Kings 3:5-12, Psalm 119, Romans 8:28-30 and Matthew 13:44-52

“Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold… I give you a wise and discerning mind so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.” (1 Kings 3:11-12).

Our opening prayer at mass this morning summarizes our readings for today and gives us something to reflect on. In this prayer which is similar to that which Solomon prayed in the first reading, we said to God: “… Grant that with you as our ruler and guide, we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure…”

This prayer draws a distinction between good things that pass away and good things that endure forever. God asked Solomon to ask for anything. I guess if we were in the shoes of Solomon, we would have asked for the 3 P’s which have characterised most of our prayer today: Power, Prosperity and Pleasure.

Power makes us famous and gives us control over others and things but it must surely pass away. We cannot remain in power forever. Prosperity makes us rich and wealthy but again wealth depreciates with time. Pleasure makes us forget our worries but as fast as it comes so does it disappears. None of these things bring us true satisfaction. The question now is: ‘What should we ask for?’ This brings us to our lessons today: 

Lesson 1: Seek First God’s Kingdom.

Instead of asking for good things that pass away, Solomon asked for good things that actually endure: wisdom and an understanding mind. The fact that God was so impressed with the prayer of Solomon shows that inasmuchas God wants us to ask freely for our needs, He wants us to give proper priority to things that are of true value.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus explains the value of the kingdom of God by comparing it with a man who sold everything he has in other to purchase it. Knowing God and loving God is much higher than the sum total of all our earthly possessions. No wonder Jesus tells us: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:33). 

Lesson 2: Everything else will be yours as well.

Here comes the twist. When we seek first God’s kingdom, all these other things begin to come to us. God said to Solomon: “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right… I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honour so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.” (1 Kings 3:11-13). 

This is the inner meaning of the parables of Jesus in our Gospel passage. The man who found the treasure buried it, then sold all he had to buy the whole field. If the owner of the field knew there was such a treasure in his field, he would never have sold it because the treasure is priceless. He who has God lacks nothing. He who has God has everything. Our Psalmist today beautifully puts it: “The Law from you means more to me than large quantities of silver and gold… That is why I love your commands more than the finest gold, why I rule my life by your precepts and hate false ways.”

Lesson 3: Many are called but few are Chosen.

In comparing the kingdom of God to a dragnet which catches all kinds of fish, Jesus reminds us of the theme of our Gospel passage last Sunday. Although the farmer planted wheat on his farm, an enemy sowed weeds while he was sleeping but he would not allow the servants to remove the weed until harvest time. 

In the same way, at harvest time, the angels will sort out the good from the bad in this dragnet. The sheep will be separated from the goats, the five wise virgins will be admitted and the five foolish ones will be kicked out. Once again, Jesus is not speaking in parables when He speaks about Hell, the furnace of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

It is not enough to simply identify as a Christian. Are we really living out the values that we profess? Do our actions especially in secret proclaim Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour? 

Lesson 4: Never be discouraged, God is working things out in your favour.

Our final lesson today comes from our second reading. St. Paul tells us that “in everything, God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). When we seek first God’s kingdom and begin to walk in holiness, truthfulness and righteousness, there is a tendency for us to fear that by so doing, we would lose money, friends, connection and even our job. 

Being a true Christian especially in our world today is like walking through the valley of the shadow of darkness; it is carrying a heavy cross along a narrow and difficult road. Satan will do everything to discourage us, to make us change our minds and begin to pursue these passing things, like the man who went to sleep after planting good seed in his farm, Satan will tell us to relax. You often hear phrases like “Na you holy pass?” 

In all of what we have to go through, never look back, never be discouraged. Even your present seemingly negative experiences are working for your good. God is a good shepherd who knows how best to take care of his children. He will never leave you forsaken. Jesus was not lying to us when He says: “all these things shall be yours as well.” 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, when I am down, give the courage to move on. Amen.

Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. (Bible Study: 1 Kings 3:5-12, Psalm 119, Romans 8:28-30 and Matthew 13:44-52).

Lessons from the Life of St. James the Apostle

Saturday 25th July 2020. Read Jeremiah 3:14-17, Canticle Jeremiah 31:10-13, Matthew 13:18-23

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25-26)

St. James was the first to die a martyr under the sword of Herod. In our Gospel passage, we see the mother of James and John presenting her sons before Jesus: “Please permit that these two sons of mine may sit one at your left and the other at your right hand.” It is a good thing that she asked not for perishable things of this world but for seats in heaven. How often do I pray for things of heaven?

For them to bring their mother to Jesus, it shows they knew Jesus was close to his own mother and that Jesus would not refuse whatever Mary asks. When Jesus asked: “Can you drink of the cup? (Suffering, persecution, hardship etc. that would follow), it was not the mother who responded but James and John: “Yes we can!” Am I willing to do all in my power to achieve heaven?

Jesus neither answered “yes” or “no” to their request, instead he said: “You will drink of the cup but as for seats at my right and left, they belong to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” This again is another lesson: You may be ready to drink the cup like James and John but never forget that it is not by your efforts but by the will of God.

St. Paul teaches us in our first reading today, “let nothing discourage you.” Not even the fact that your prayers are not granted for “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

At the end of the day, the other disciples became indignant with James and John for coming out openly to express their ambition for heaven. It became an occasion for Jesus to teach them about servant leadership. We must never be like the pagans when we are placed in charge of others. Never boss over people; the greater you become, the humbler you should be. There is more glory in serving than being served.

James eventually drank the cup. He died a martyr for the sake of the Gospel. As to whether he got the seat in heaven, we shall find out when we eventually get there. Nevertheless, in the meantime, let us ask for his intercession and learn from his determination and zeal to achieve heaven. Let us make heaven a priority.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, grant that nothing may ever prevent me from achieving eternal life with you in paradise. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Feast of St. James, the Apostle. Bible Study: 2nd Corinthians 4:7-15, Psalm 126, Matthew 20:20-28).

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The Lure of Riches and the Desire for Heaven

Friday 24th July 2020. Read Jeremiah 3:14-17, Canticle Jeremiah 31:10-13, Matthew 13:18-23.

“As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22)

Is there anything wrong with desiring a “good life” despite being a Christian? Is it a sin to be rich, wealthy and lacking nothing? After all, aren’t there so many things money can do in terms of advancing the kingdom of God?

If you have ever found yourself asking these questions and wondering where to draw the line between wealth and God, then perhaps you are a seed among thorns. Whether we accept this fact or not, the cares of the world and the lust for riches choke God’s Words in us. Let us listen to Jesus’ own words in Matthew 6:24-33:

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? … Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith?

This is the point, our faith in God is just too small so we undermine God and make a god of money. We pursue riches because we believe it will bring us security. Hear what Jeremiah says in today’s first reading: “Return, O faithless children, says the Lord for I am your master.” Let God be your one and only master. Let not your love for money make you deny God or disobey His commandments.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me re-order my priorities so that your word may truly bear fruits in my life. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 16th week in ordinary time. Bible Study: Jeremiah 3:14-17, Canticle Jeremiah 31:10-13, Matthew 13:18-23).

For Live Mass and other online contents, visit: www.bhlpmedia.com

Blessed are Your Eyes

Thursday 23^RD July 2020. Read Jeremiah 2:1-13, Psalm 36:6-11, Matthew 13:10-17.

“Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.” (Matthew 13:16)

The ability to understand God’s word is a gift. This is exactly what Jesus wanted his disciples to know as he said: “To you, it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them, it has not been given…. blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

In other words, there are many who read the bible but are not able to perceive the secrets it contains. There are those for whom the bible is indeed a stumbling block. How? Recall that Satan actually quoted the Bible to Jesus during His temptations. Without proper guidance and the light of the Holy Spirit, the Bible can actually mislead a person.

I recall one of my teachers back then in the Seminary who taught us Scriptures. She happened to be a Reverend Sister. She told us that the Bible should always be read kneeling. Truly, the Bible is not like any other piece of literature. We must first ask for God to open our hearts before we begin to flip through the pages of the Bible. That way, the meaning becomes really clear to us. We see things that others cannot see and we hear things that others will never hear.

A divine revelation of God came to Jeremiah in our first reading today; to preach to the people in a way they had not heard before. Jeremiah’s words were a total reproach on the entire nation of Israel. He seemed to capture every one of their sins.

From the least person up to the leaders, the priests, those in the custody of the law and the rulers, Jeremiah fearlessly delivered the word, telling them how they have all abandoned God, the fountain of living waters and have tried to create cisterns for themselves; broken cisterns for that manner.

Let us pray: Lord God, give us eyes that see and ears that hear, that our study of your word may bear the right fruits in our lives. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday of the 16^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Jeremiah 2:1-13, Psalm 36:6-11, Matthew 13:10-17)

For Live Mass and other online contents, visit: www.bhlpmedia.com

Who am I to Jesus? Client or Friend

Wednesday 22nd July 2020. Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, Psalm 63 and John 20:1-2,11-18)_

“Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (John 20:15-16)

Today we celebrate the life of a Saint whose true identity and personality has been the subject of much debate among scholars, theologians and even non-Christians. She has become like the proverbial elephant being described by four blind-folded men. From any angle you stand, Mary Magdalene seems to take on a new identity.

For those campaigning for female priesthood, Mary Magdalene takes the personality of one. For others, Mary Magdalene was the woman who poured expensive oil on the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair. For others, Mary Magdalene was just one of the women who attended to the needs of Jesus during his public ministry. One fact we cannot take away is that Mary Magdalene was close to Jesus. She was more than a disciple, she was a friend to Jesus.

They say, you know your real friends when the chips are down. After His arrest, the disciples deserted Jesus; they ran for their dear lives. Peter even denied knowing Jesus but Mary Magdalene was one of the few who stood with Jesus all through. This is love.

Would you stay with Jesus when everyone else deserts Him? Would you accompany Jesus with tears on the way to Calvary when people all around are mocking, laughing and spitting on Him? Would you still pray when miracles do not happen? As St. Paul declares in today’s first reading, only your love for Christ can keep you going.

When Jesus died, it was as though all hope was lost. It was like a confirmation that Jesus was just a man after all. Everyone went their separate ways but Mary Magdalene still returned to the tomb. It was like she refused to believe that Jesus really died. What must have prompted her to come when there was no reason to do so? Love.

I was once at a burial ceremony and even before the grave was covered, everyone had deserted the place. They say you will know your value when you consider how quickly people forget you after your death. Mary could not forget Jesus just like that. She was the first to visit and the first to notice the greatest miracles of all. Her love paid off!

When Mary realized it was Jesus, she called Him by a name she was used to, her personal way of calling Jesus, “Rabboni!” She made a move to embrace Jesus but He said: “Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father…” Mary was not just a client or a stranger to Jesus. She was a true friend. Who am I to Jesus? A client who seeks to grab the much I can from Jesus or friend who is in a relationship with Jesus?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, open my heart to love you even when the chips are down. Amen. St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, Psalm 63 and John 20:1-2,11-18).

For Live Mass and other online contents, visit: www.bhlpmedia.com