Do not Labour for the Food which Perishes

Sunday 1st August 2021. Read Exodus 16:2-15, Psalm 78:3-54, Ephesians 4:17-24, John 6:24-35 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life.” (John 6:26-27)

In our Gospel passage last Sunday, we read of the feeding of the multitude by Jesus Christ. After eating, the crowd were so pleased with Jesus that they wanted to make Him a king immediately. Knowing what they wanted to do, Jesus quickly withdrew to the mountains. This is where today’s Gospel passage take off.

The crowd later found Jesus on the other side of the sea and questioned Him: “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus could read their minds, He knew exactly what they had come for and He said to them: “Do not labour for the food which perishes but for the food which endures to eternal life.” This brings us to our lessons for today:   

1. Seeking God only For Material Benefits Leads to Disappointment.

In truth, if the only reason why you seek God is for bread, then know that you will surely be disappointed. The bread will not always be there. Now, it is not as if God cannot feed you with bread, He does not want you to worship the bread He gives you.

Consider the sound admonition of St. John: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.” (1 John 2:15-17).

This world is passing away. Let us not reduce our worship of God to the attainment of passing things. If the only reason you are in church today is to ask God for bread (material blessings that are capable of passing away), then you are not different from the crowds who wanted Jesus to feed them again because they were hungry. Jesus disappointed the crowds – He refused to feed them the second time. 

The crowds even tried to lure Jesus by asking Him to work a sign for them to prove that He came from God by suggesting that their fathers ate the manna in the desert. Jesus knew that any faith built on miracles cannot sustain us. He refused to work any sign.

2. Do Not Think of Returning To Egypt because of Bread.

The problem with seeing Jesus as merely a bread-provider is that when we do not get our fill of bread, we begin to complain and murmur like the Israelites in today’s first reading. They said: “Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” (Exodus 16:3).

Surprisingly, this is how many of us think; we assume that there are alternatives to God. Some Christians move from church to church in search of their fill of bread. Some even go as far as consulting native doctors, occult powers, juju spirits and all sorts of demonic media. Perhaps, as you read (or listen to) this homily, you might even be considering trying out these spiritual temples/shrines promising all kinds of untold riches. Please don’t do it. Don’t return to Egypt. Don’t give up on God. If God cannot do it, trust me, nobody else can do it.

Many Christians today are entangled in all kinds of spiritual bondage because they felt that God was too slow in giving them what they wanted. They have bowed to Satan and sold their souls in exchange for the passing things of this world. Jesus would ask: “For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Mark 8:36).  

Sadly, many Christians today only remember to pray when they have serious challenges in life. For most of us, God is only a utility; something you can use and dump, then pick up again when you need it. Come to think of it, if you have a friend that calls you only when he or she wants something from you, but never picks your call when you need something from them, would you be happy about it? 

3. Jesus is More than a Bread-Provider: He is the Bread of Life.

After the crowd had eaten to their fill, they did not understand the meaning of the miracle. For them, they had found a bread-provider in Jesus so they wanted to make Him a king but Jesus escaped from them. In his words to Pilate: “My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world.” (John 18:36).

Unfortunately, Christians in our day and time, having being influenced by the gospel of prosperity do not realize that Jesus’ kingship is not of this world, that Jesus desires not merely to feed our stomachs but to lead us to eternal life. Many of us, (like the crowds who were fed by Jesus) are not concerned about eternal life. We forget that were are simply pilgrims in this world, that we do not belong to this world (Cf. John 15:19) and that all that this world contains can never satisfy us.

Jesus said to the crowds: “Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life” (John 6:27). The crowds said to Jesus: “Lord, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them: “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35).

To understand what Jesus meant by “he who comes to me shall not hunger”, let us remember a similar statement of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33).

In a similar vein, Jesus said to the Samaritan Woman at well of Jacob: “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14)

In summary, Jesus is capable of satisfying the greatest desires of our hearts but He wants us to seek Him rather than those things He is capable of doing for us. Jesus wants us to labour (pray) not for perishable things but for eternal life.

4. Repent: Put Off Your Old Nature. Seek Righteousness and Holiness.

St. Paul beautifully summarizes all that we have said so far when he writes in our second reading: “Put off your old nature which is corrupt through deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit, put on the new nature created in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Until we Christians stop labouring only for perishable food, we cannot avoid our sinful lifestyles and bad habits. Seek first God’s kingdom today. Begin to read the Bible more than ever before. Our Gospel acclamation today reminds us of the words Jesus spoke to defeat the devil during His temptations: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4). 

Change your prayers points to heavenly treasures. Put off that old nature with its insatiable desires and lusts. Know that Jesus is the BREAD OF LIFE. Jesus is Life. Jesus is all you need. Jesus alone can satisfy the deepest longings of your heart. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, free me from labouring only for the perishable things in this world. Teach me to set my heart on eternal life. Amen.

A happy new month and Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (18th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 16:2-15, Psalm 78:3-54, Ephesians 4:17-24, John 6:24-35).

Avoid Making Promises in a Good Mood

Friday 31st July 2021. Read Leviticus 25:1-17, Ps.67 and Matthew 14:1-12 

“Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given; he sent and had John beheaded in the prison.” (Matthew 14:8-10)

While our first reading today contains God’s instructions to Moses for the establishment of the year of Jubilee, our Gospel passage contains circumstances surrounding the death of John the Baptist about whom Jesus said: “among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist.” (Matthew 11:11).

John the Baptist’s death was truly glorious. He died in active services; like a soldier on a battleground. He died proclaiming the truth of the sanctity of marriage, the evil of adultery, and the sin of corruption.

One lesson we must learn from the action of Herod is to avoid speaking when we are super-excited. Avoid making promises when you are in a good mood. Words are powerful. When spoken, we can never take them back. Think before you speak. Do not speak first only to regret it later. You might never be able to take back your words. 

It was only when the little girl mentioned her prize that Herod realized the full implication of the promise he made. He would live the rest of his life to regret this. How he wished that Jesus Christ was John the Baptist who had returned back to life. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, grant me an increase of self-control. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest (Memorial). Bible Study: Leviticus 25:1-17, Ps.67 and Matthew 14:1-12).

Be Close to God but Avoid Over-Familiarity

Friday 30th July 2021. Read Leviticus 23:1-37, Ps.81 and Matthew 13:54-58 

“Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us?” (Matthew 13:54-56).

Once upon a time, a native doctor set up his shrine very close to a Church. So, every day, the members of the church would pray against the activities of the native doctor asking God to send down fire on him and burn down his shrine. This went on for many years. One day, the native doctor’s shrine burnt down completely and nothing was left of it. So the native doctor took the church to court accusing them of arson.

On the day of trial, the members of the church showed up in the court denying any involvement in the fire incidence but the native doctor argued that they had burnt down his shrine (his source of livelihood) with their powerful prayers. Bewildered at the case, the judge said: “Here is a very special case – church members who do not believe in the power of prayers but an unbeliever who is fully convinced that prayers are powerful.”

When you do something continuously for a while, you soon begin to take it for granted. It is not surprising to see many Christians today who do not believe in the power of prayers anymore; Christians who look down on God and on His ability to intervene in their lives. Even though most of us pray, we do not even expect the things we pray for. 

In our Gospel passage, Jesus is not happy with his own people as a result of their over-familiarity. Have I become too familiar with God? Do I still have the fear of God in me? Do I value the Bible or treat it as just one of those books?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I never take you for granted. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of week 17 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Leviticus 23:1-37, Ps.81 and Matthew 13:54-58).

Is Jesus Welcome in My Home?

Thursday 29th July 2021. Read Ex. 40:16-21;34-38, Ps. 84 & Matthew 13:47-53

 

“How lovely is thy dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yea, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” (Psalm 84:1-2).

The Psalmist today sings: “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place O Lord, Mighty God.” Does it often occur to me that when I walk into a church I am actually at home? Am I able to relax knowing that God is right there?

In our first reading today, we are told: “Then the cloud covered the meeting tent, and the glory of the Lord filled the Dwelling. Moses could not enter the meeting tent, because the cloud settled down upon it and the glory of the Lord filled the Dwelling.”

The Israelites had the privilege of seeing the glory of God in the form of a thick cloud. If only God could open our eyes to see his glory, ascending and descending upon the tabernacle, we would not be able to contain ourselves.

As the Psalmist sings: My soul is yearning longing and yearning, waiting to be in God’s presence. A day in God’s house is better than a thousand elsewhere! I would rather dwell in the foot-mats of God’s house than have a three-bedroom suite in the devil’s mansion.

Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a net that is thrown into the river and catches both big fish and small fish. This parable is similar to that of the weeds and wheat. In the church, you have all kinds of people; those who are there to worship God and those who are there to steal, kill and destroy; those who are there to repent (and begin a new life) and those who are there to recruit souls for the devil; those who are there to better their lives and those who are there to attack, divide and cause a commotion.

Today we remember Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Three of them were special friends of Jesus who made their home holy by constantly welcoming Jesus and his disciples. Jesus loved spending time with them. Is Jesus welcome in my home?

How disappointed Mary and Martha must have felt when Lazarus was sick and they sent for Jesus but He refused to come. Little did they know that Jesus was planning something big. The fact that we are close to Jesus does not make us immune from the trials and vicissitudes of life but we rest assure that no matter what comes our way, our friendship with Jesus always pays off.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, increase my love and devotion to you. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus (Memorial). Bible Study: Ex. 40:16-21;34-38, Ps. 84 & Matthew 13:47-53).

Nothing Else Matters. Nothing Else Has Value.

Wednesday 28th July 2021. Read Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99 and Matthew 13:44-46

 

“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46).

There is one song that sums up our Gospel passage today: “You take the whole world, and give me Jesus… you take the whole world and give me Jesus… you take the whole world and give me Jesus… am satisfied, am satisfied.”

There is also another song that brings home the message: “My lifetime, I will give God my lifetime, my lifetime, I will give God my lifetime… if I give God my lifetime, he will take care of me, he will never let me die, I will give God my lifetime.”

Dear friends, if we really want to get to heaven, we must make heaven our greatest priority. Our desire for heaven must be such that we are willing to let go of everything else on earth. The deeper meaning of the parable of the merchant selling all he had for one pearl of great value is that the bliss of heaven is worth any sacrifice or pain we would have to endure at this moment if only to get heaven.

The man in his parable knew the value of the pearl was beyond everything he had to give in exchange for it. Perhaps so many people laughed at him for buying this pearl but he knew he would laugh better at last. Christians of today are so worried and troubled when they do not have the ‘goodies’ of this life, and very often they compromise their values just for these passing things. Ask yourself, whatever it is I am trying to achieve now, will it matter if I died today? If it won’t, then it has no value.

Do not be so bothered when everything is not in place in your life. Say to yourself: “It does not matter.” I may not have any money in the bank, I may not have food in the kitchen, I may not be successful in my business, I may not have any true friends or connections, I may not have a Ph.D., I may not have built a house, bought a car or married, I may not have children of my own, I may not have achieved anything significant even in life but it doesn’t matter. The only thing that counts is that if I die right now, I would be found worthy of eternal life.

There is a saying: “Do not spend your health trying to make money because all the money in the world cannot buy back your health.” In a similar vein, we can say: “Do not spend your soul trying to gain the world because all that the world contains cannot buy back your soul.” Never get too busy that you do not have time for personal prayer and daily examination of conscience (which is the act of checking up on your soul).

After speaking with God, Moses’ face shone so brightly that the people had to put a veil on his face. When you spend time praying, this is what happens to you. Your whole body receives supernatural light. Like the pearl of great value a man found, the time you spend alone with God is of greater value than anything else in life. Nothing else matters. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me the grace to get my spiritual priorities right. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of week 17 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99 and Matthew 13:44-46).

Great Leaders are Prayer Warriors

Tuesday 27th July 2021. Read Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28 & Matthew 13:36-43

“And Moses made haste to bow his head toward the earth, and worshiped. And he said, ‘If now I have found favour in thy sight, O Lord, let the Lord, I pray thee, go in the midst of us, although it is a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thy inheritance.” (Exodus 34:8-9).

In the parable of the weeds among the wheat, we can see that there are different kinds of people in the world. The good seed represents those of us who believe in God and are children of the kingdom while the weeds represent the children of the world who love to perpetrate evil.

As much as we live side by side with evildoers, we are supposed to be leaders in our own little ways. Leading others is not easy. Sometimes, like Moses, you may find yourself alone against the crowd. Moses was just one man yet as one man, he was able to bring an entire nation to repentance from idolatry.

Upon returning from the mountain with the stone tablets, Moses could have decided to keep his mouth shut in timidity since the crowd outnumbered him. He could have given in to pressure like the weak Aaron who fashioned a golden calf for them. But then, Moses stood his ground, he stood for what was right even if it was not popular. Moses did not believe in the dictum: “if you can’t beat them, join them.” Instead, he beat them until they all joined him. This is leadership.

Leadership is not easy but there is a secret to being successful at it: PRAYER. As a man, Moses was very weak; he lacked physical strength having passed his youthful age. He was a meek person, he couldn’t speak coherently and with confidence (hence the need for Aaron). The success of his leadership prowess came from his constant meetings with God.

Every good leader must have a tent of meeting with God. Every good leader must have the habit of going up to the mountain to consult with God. If we are not in tune with God by daily prayer, we are powerless. God had made up his mind to destroy the people but Moses pleaded and God spared the nation. In truth, leaders are prayer warriors.

If you are a leader in any capacity, be you a Father or Mother, a teacher, a minister, a public official, never become too busy to pray. Remember, no matter how hard you work, you can never work harder than God; you can never say: “God, I don’t need you.” You can never depend on yourself. Revive your prayer life today.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, equip me each day to be a better leader. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of week 17 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5b-9, 28 & Matthew 13:36-43).

The Seed of Holiness

Sunday 25th July 2021. Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34 and 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)

Sin is defined as an offense against God. And since the world does not want to hear about God (Divine authority), it prefers to use the word ‘bad’ (indicative of freedom and choice).

We live in an age where sinful actions are advertised, openly displayed, and people are made to take pride in them without seeing anything wrong in them. If I call somebody a sinner, he or she could take it as an insult, but if I call that person a ‘bad guy’, he or she would smile and be happy.

When Aaron fashioned the golden calf, the people did not see anything wrong with it. They bowed and worshipped it; they even danced around it and engaged in orgies. There was no shame in them just as the people of our age are fast losing a sense of shame.

But then, see how our first reading ends. God says: “When it is time for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.” Sin is sin and it always attracts punishment yet we know God is merciful. How foolish we would be if we deliberately sin just because we are aware of his mercy?

If you always pardon your child each time he or she does something bad, how would you react if that child deliberately continues doing it and even laughs at you when you try to correct him? Be your own judge.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus describes the kingdom of God as a mustard seed that appears to be the smallest of all seeds but eventually becomes the biggest of all shrubs. A good character begins with little habitual acts. To become the person of your dreams, you have to start with very few acts of goodness and holiness. Whatever good we do this day is like a seed the eventually grows shaping us into saints in the future.

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

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, (Memorial). Bible Study: Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34 and Matthew 13:31-35).

Thanksgiving Multiplies Your Little

Sunday 25th July 2021. Read 2 Kings 4:42-44, Psalm 145:10-18, Ephesians 4:1-6, John 6:1-15

“They gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten.” (John 6:13)

Last Sunday, our readings focused on the excesses of the bad shepherds and God’s judgement on those who failed woefully to care for their flock. Mark told us how Jesus, the Good Shepherd, despite his tiredness, did not send the crowds away but sat down to feed them by teaching them at length.

Our readings today are to some extent a continuation of that of last Sunday except for the fact that this time around, we are reading from the Gospel of John. Jesus, the Good Shepherd not only displays the qualities of a good leader (caring), He teaches us certain important lessons about life; gratitude, positivity, thanksgiving, sharing, management of resources, humility and Holy Eucharist.

 1. Care, Empathy and Compassion: Shining Qualities of a Good Leader.

Jesus, the Good shepherd thought first about the need of the people even before any of them came to complain to him. He saw the people were hungry and he knew that beyond their physical hunger was the longing for a deeper relationship with God. His ultimate aim was to feed them with his flesh (Holy Eucharist) and he began by feeding their hungry stomachs.

We see this same quality in Elisha in our first reading who ordered that a small quantity of food be used to feed a hundred men. Generosity is the essence of leadership. Show me a man who treats his servants (employees) like garbage and I will show you a man who can never be a good shepherd. A good leader is one who can feel his people’s pains. He is never removed from the ordinary situation of his people and is not selfish.

 2. Stop Complaining; Be Grateful for Little.

The biggest thief, they say, is the ungrateful person. Too often, we only notice our lack, we feel overwhelmed by our mountains of problems, we never have enough, we just wish we had more but we fail to realize there is so much power in the “little” which we ignore. Most of us are like Philip, we are very good at complaining, we know how to analyze things very well.

Do you notice how quickly Philip intelligently calculated the cost of feeding the multitude? Dear friends, there is only an extent to which intelligence can carry you. Mere intelligence without faith keeps you forever stuck in the complain-trap.

Andrew, unlike Philip, took notice of the little boy with little loaves and little fish. He brought his “little” to Jesus thinking they meant nothing, not knowing that in truth, this little was more than enough. What is your little? What do you have? Why do you feel you need more when you already have more than enough? Have you thanked God for your little? Do you realize that what Jesus did with the little loaves and fish was to offer a prayer of thanksgiving first? John tells us: “Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated.” (John 6:11).

Am I only focused on the cup half full? Do I only take note of my problems? How often and how well do I give thanks? Do I know the miraculous power of thanksgiving? Elkhart Tolle once said: “If the only prayer you said is ‘Thank you’ it will be enough.”

 3. Even Little Can be Broken: The Miracle of Sharing.

The miracle of the loaves is one miracle that kept happening each time the little was broken. It was a miracle in motion. The more they broke apart, the more the loaves increased. The most common lie we tell others as well as ourselves is: “I don’t have.” We so underestimate our little to the point we begin to believe it is nothing. Until we break that little, we would never know how much it is.

Never assume you are too small or that you can’t do much. Help one person today. Break a little from your little and watch what happens. God never asked you to end poverty in the world today. He only wants you to break a little bread for that your neighbor you saw on the street yesterday.

As St. Paul says in today’s second reading, “walk in a manner worthy of your calling” even if you are the only one standing. Don’t follow the crowd. Your little goodness like these five loaves and two fish may appear like “nothing” but it means “everything” to five thousand hungry persons. No one is too poor or too useless in the hand of God.

4. Wastefulness is Sinful.

After everyone had eaten, Jesus said: “Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.” (John 6:12). This is very instructive, it is not God’s will that anything He gives us should be lost; in other words, wasted, left unused, thrown away, or destroyed. God hates wastefulness. If your dustbin is richer than some people’s freezer, you really need to think twice. Your leftovers are not to be thrown away; they belong to other hungry persons.

There is a difference between being blessed and being wasteful. For many Nigerians, the definition of wealth is when one has enough to waste and is actually wasting it. While some cannot eat three square meals a day, some spend billions just for parties that do not last beyond a few hours. 

5. Every Miracle is a Sign; a Pointer to A Greater Reality.

After the feeding of the multitude, the people were about to make Jesus a King. They were expecting that, henceforth, Jesus would be feeding them but that was not Jesus’ plan. He had not come to be a bread provider, a miracle worker, or a food distributor, He had come for something greater; “that whosoever believes in him may not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The food was just a sign; a symbol of the Eucharist.

Jesus would not allow them to worship Him on the basis of food; He withdrew from them and went into hiding. We shouldn’t seek God merely for the sake of miracles; we should seek God for His own sake. Just as Jesus withdrew from them, he withdraws from us when we reduce him to the level of bread provider, yet, this is one truth that prosperity preachers will never acknowledge. Today, our churches are filled with people who have come to ask for bread and are happy to hear messages which assure them of abundant bread (more than enough to waste), whereas in truth, Jesus did not die on the cross for the sake of bread. Jesus died that we may be saved from sin. 

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my love for you, make me a good shepherd and free me from materialism which often disguises as spirituality. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (17th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2 Kings 4:42-44, Psalm 145:10-18, Ephesians 4:1-6, John 6:1-15).

The Wheat and the Weeds: A Story of God’s Mercy

Saturday 24th July 2021. Read Exodus 24:3-8, Psalm 50, Matthew 13:24-30

“The servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest...’” (Matthew 13:28-30)

There is the story of a farmer who found an eagle’s egg and placed it among the chicken’s newly laid eggs. Eventually, the little eagle developed in the midst of the chicks not knowing it was different. One day, the eagle looked up at the sky and saw the giant Eagle soaring above and he said to its fellow chicks: “how I wish I can go up there” but in response, they said: “no, you can’t, you are not meant to fly.”

Dear friends, the constant challenge before us Christians is being able to realize our true potentials as wheat and distinguish ourselves from weeds. You are meant to be wheat; you are meant to shine, you are meant to fly. You are meant to be a Saint. Do not be discouraged by the many weeds you find even within the Church.

Another important lesson in this parable is that it is very wrong to judge everyone as the same. For instance, the fact that you are yet to meet a truly God-fearing Christian does not mean such persons do not exist. From the parable of the sower, we learn that some Christians are like seeds among thorns, some are seeds on rocky ground, some are seeds on good soil.

While it may be easy for some Christians to live very holy lives, there are some who find themselves in environments that ordinary acts of virtue are simply heroic. There are indeed ears of wheat among the weeds.

You might wonder, why does God allow bad Christians to go scot-free? Why does God allow fake pastors to ply their nefarious trade in His name?  Why won’t God just cut down those disgracing His name and giving a bad reputation to others? The answer is simple: God is merciful. God takes no pleasure in the punishment (death) of the sinner.

God believes that people can change so He keeps giving second chances again and again. God knows that in punishing the sinner, the saint suffers alongside. God allows the sinner to be but the day of harvest must surely come. The fact that you have never been caught doesn’t mean you are smart, it only means your day of harvest hasn’t come yet. As we come to the end of another week, let us examine our hearts: “Have I been a wheat or a weed?” Go for confession today.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, make me realize my security is not based on church or denomination but on sincere worship. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of week 16 in Ordinary Time, Bible Study: Exodus 24:3-8, Psalm 50, Matthew 13:24-30).

God’s Laws Contain Wisdom for Life.

Friday 23rd July 2021. Read Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19 and Matthew 13:18-23

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul … the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. (Psalm 19:7-8)

Have you been lost in a strange land before? Imagine you are lost and you need to get to a particular location within a certain time frame, then you try asking people for directions but no one understands English. Under this circumstance, how would you feel when you suddenly stumble upon a map? I bet you would jump up and down in joy and quickly apply yourself to the directions.

Like one lost in a strange land, the Israelites were really lost when they found themselves in the middle of nowhere in the desert. When God gave these commandments, he actually provided a map; a map towards achieving wisdom, joy, enlightenment, and long life.

Our Responsorial Psalm today sings: “The law of the Lord is perfect, REFRESHING THE SOUL; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving WISDOM TO THE SIMPLE. The precepts of the Lord are right, REJOICING THE HEART; the command of the LORD is clear, ENLIGHTENING THE EYE… They are MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD, than a heap of purest gold.

If the keeping of God’s commandments holds the key to happiness, wisdom, and wealth, how else can we find these things when we ignore God’s commandments? How else can we find our way when we ignore the map provided by God Himself?

Many in our world today do not care about these commandments. They are like seeds planted along the path. Some people are so eager to receive these commandments but in the face of temptation (and trials), they quickly push them aside. They are like seeds planted on rock.

Some others love to keep the commandments but they also want to pursue material things. Their love for riches overshadows their love for God. They are the seeds that are planted among thorns. Finally, there are some who receive God’s commandments and allow these commandments to guide their lives. They are seeds planted on very rich soils.

Now, let us ask ourselves: “Where do I belong?”

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, impart in me the grace to value and obey your commands. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of week 16 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19 and Matthew 13:18-23).

Who am I to Jesus? Client or Friend

Thursday 22nd July 2021. Read Songs 3:1-4, Psalm 63:2-6,8-9 and John 20:1-2,11-18

“Upon my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him but found him not; I called him, but he gave no answer. ‘I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets, and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves.’” (Song of Solomon 3:1-2)

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 blindfolded 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.

There is a saying that: “you only get to 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 a 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. (Saint Mary Magdalene – Feast. Bible Study: Song of Songs 3:1-4, Psalm 63:2-6,8-9 and John 20:1-2,11-18).