The Sign of Jonah and the Forty Days of Lent

Wednesday 1st March 2023. Readings: Jonah 3:1-10, Ps. 51:3-4,12-13,18-19, Luke 11:29-32 

“’ Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. Then tidings reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.” (Jonah 3:4-6)

The entire book of Jonah is a story of God’s unending faith in humanity. God could have simply destroyed the Ninevites but he gave them a second chance by sending Jonah to them. Jonah tried to escape from God but after spending three days in the belly of the fish, he cried for mercy and God gave him a second chance.

It beats my mind that Jonah didn’t even ask them to repent. He didn’t say “change your evil ways. Be good children of God. Stop sinning, etc.” Jonah just went about the city announcing doom and destruction: “Only forty days from now and Nineveh would be destroyed…”

The forty days of Jonah’s proclamation immediately remind us of the forty days of Lent. As we hear the words of Jonah today, let us place ourselves in the position of the Ninevites. Let us return to God with fasting, ashes, and sackcloth. As the King of Nineveh said, “this is a time to fast, a time to turn away from violence, a time to walk away from sinful pleasures and bad habits, a time to seek God’s face like never before.”

If you were told that you have only forty days left to live, how would you spend your last forty days? Wouldn’t you seek to make amends? Wouldn’t you seek reconciliation with God? As we hear in the Stations of the Cross, “those you love will part from you, you too will die one day, a day you do not know, are you prepared for it?”

In our Gospel passage, Jesus is not happy with the crowds who were pressuring Him to work signs and wonders. Like this crowd, many Christians today have reduced their worship of God to a mere quest for signs and wonders. It is such an irony that we have enough faith to expect miracles from God but we do not have faith enough to repent from our sins.

For seeking signs, they perceived Jesus not as God in their midst but as some magician who had come to perform and entertain. Jesus had to remind them that He is greater than Solomon (whose wisdom was legendary) and Jonah (whose preaching brought a whole city to its knees). Respect Jesus! Use these forty days to the fullest. Repent.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, change me completely from the inside out. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 1st week of Lent, Bible Study: Jonah 3:1-10, Ps. 51:3-4,12-13,18-19, Luke 11:29-32).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Do Not Be Like Them

Tuesday 28th February 2023. Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11, Ps. 34:4-7,16-19, Matthew 6:7-15

“And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:7-8)

One of the three pillars of Lent is Prayer, the others being fasting and almsgiving. In this season of Lent, we are called to deepen our prayer life, spend more time in prayer and grow in our understanding and appreciation of prayer.

Prayer is like medicine, when properly used, it brings us healing but when not properly used, it fails to achieve desired results. If we must pray at all, it is very important that we pray well; that is, it is important that our prayers draw God’s attention to us and not away from us.

In our Gospel passage today, Jesus teaches us how not to pray (using the prayer of the Gentiles as an illustration) and then proceeds to show us how to pray. As Jesus explains, the effectiveness of prayer does not depend on the multiplication of empty phrases but on the fact that God cares for his children.

In prayer, our faith carries more weight than our words. Whenever we approach God in prayer, we must first remind ourselves of what the prophet Isaiah says in today’s first reading: “As the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth making it bring forth fruit, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Do not rush in prayer. First, recollect yourself, then place yourself in the presence of God and remember that God is first your Father. This is why Jesus begins with the words: “Our Father who art in heaven.” Jesus teaches us to begin with praises before proceeding to ask for our needs.

Jesus also wants us to make a commitment to God when we pray. In this way, Jesus presents an important principle of life: You cannot take without giving. Prayer is not just about asking, it also involves doing. Jesus makes clear the point: “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, deepen my faith in you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 1st week of Lent. Bible Study: Isaiah 55:10-11, Ps. 34:4-7,16-19, Matthew 6:7-15).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Wherever Suffering Exists, My Face is There

Monday 27th February 2023. Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18, Ps. 19:8-10,15, Matthew 25:31-46

“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

In today’s Gospel passage, we hear Jesus picture the day of judgment in very vivid terms. Surprisingly, there is only one criterion for entering into paradise; kindness to the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the homeless, the sick, and imprisoned. In other words, we may be the holiest of persons but so long as we fail to help the poor, we would not enter heaven.

In the sixth station of the cross, Christ speaks: “Can you be brave enough to wipe my bloody face? Where is your face? You may ask, and I will answer; at home whenever eyes fill up with tears, at work when tensions rise, in the streets and remote places, wherever suffering exists, my face is there and there I look for you to wipe away my blood and tears.”

Learn to see the face of Jesus in the suffering. Help people not simply because you seek to be compensated but because you realize it is Jesus you are helping. Whatever you give to the poor may not come back now but it becomes a great treasure stored in heaven where no thief can break in and steal nor rust destroys. (Matthew 6:19-20)

We always have this tendency of showing kindness to very important persons in our lives but Jesus is saying to us today: “Whatsoever you do to the least (the smallest, the unimportant, the poorest, the minority, the outcast), that you do unto me.”

How do I treat people that are not important to me? Do I even respect persons I consider to be less than me in any way? How do I treat my workers, my domestic staff, or those whom I pay for their services? How do I relate with the less privileged, the handicapped, the frail, and the old?

In today’s first reading, God conveys to Moses His expectations of us as His children. He says: “You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning. You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind.

…You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great. … You shall not stand forth against the life of your neighbor… You shall not hate your brother in your heart. (Leviticus 19:13-17). For us to merit paradise, we must treat others just as we want others to treat us.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, open my eyes that I may see you in the face of the hungry, the sick, the naked, the downtrodden, and the abandoned. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 1st week of Lent. Bible Study: Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18, Ps. 19:8-10,15, Matthew 25:31-46).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

The Christian Life and the Battle with Temptations

Sunday 26th February 2023. Readings: Genesis 2:7-9,3:1-7, Ps. 51:3-6,12-14,17, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry.” (Matthew 4:1-2)

Last Sunday, Jesus told us to aim for perfection by loving our enemies, showing kindness to those who beg from us, and forgiving those who hurt us saying that these are characteristics that would make us resemble God. Today, being the first Sunday of Lent, the church invites us to journey with Jesus Christ once again in his fasting and prayer for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness.

For us to attain that perfection that Jesus desires of us, lent is a good time to train our minds and bodies, a time to recalibrate our spiritual alarm system, a time to reset ourselves completely, a time to examine how far we have gone away from the expectation of Christ and retrace our steps.

Today, our readings, especially our Gospel passage remind us that sin does not happen in a vacuum; there is usually a period of temptation, a period we find ourselves negotiating with the devil. Before every sin, we are given a chance to either defeat the devil or embrace his suggestion. Facing temptations (negotiating with the devil) is not something evil, it is agreeing to his suggestion that is bad.

Despite being God, Jesus was not spared of the moment of temptation. Jesus went through it himself to know what it feels like to be under that aura of hearing the devil using his sweet voice to make suggestions. Jesus needed to go through it and come out victorious to show us: _1. It is possible to be human and still say no of the devil. 2. How to overcome these never-ending prompts of the devil._ Let us now consider our lessons for today:

1. Why do we Face Temptations?

Matthew tells us that “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” As long we desire to serve God, temptations will always come our way. The higher we go in our Christian walk, the bigger and tougher the temptations we shall face. The devil knows it when we begin to take God seriously and he has his way of trying to keep us where we are. 

Jesus was about to begin his public ministry, to pull souls from the devil’s captivity, it was too much of a threat to the devil and so he had to try his possible best to make Jesus change his mind. The devil was basically trying to make Jesus achieve glory by a shortcut; to jump from baptism straight to ascension, without having to go through the process of preaching, touching the lives of people, and especially the arrest, the trial, and the cross. (The devil knew that he would be finally defeated on that cross and he tried to make Jesus jump over it). This is why when Peter suggested to Jesus that the cross would never happen, Jesus didn’t waste time using the same words he used during the temptation: “Get behind me, Satan.”

Temptations are necessary because they help us know who and what we really are. Don’t say you are not a thief until you find yourself in a position to take money without being caught. Don’t say you will never sleep with another man’s wife until she begins to make passes at you and you find yourselves together in the same room one day. If we don’t face temptations, we can be beating our chest (boasting), and we can go about condemning others forgetting that if not for God’s grace, we are worse.

In the three temptations of Jesus, we find a summary of all the temptations we face as humans which as St. John puts it are: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.” (1 John 2:16).

2. How to Overcome the Lust of the Flesh. (First Temptation)

Jesus was hungry, his body craved food. Behold the devil said: “If you are the son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” Adam and Eve wandered about the garden; they had tasted everything else but the forbidden tree. Behold the devil came around saying: “You will not die…your eyes will be opened, you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” In both instances, the devil sought to use the lust of the flesh, that is, our natural bodily craving for carnal satisfaction; fun, food, drinks, sweet things, sexual pleasure, and other material comforts.

As St. Paul puts it: “The works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the likes. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God…. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:19- 24). Adam and Eve fell because they could not resist the urge to satisfy their flesh but Jesus was willing to crucify the flesh (to deny himself) despite his legitimate hunger. The lust for the flesh is usually the first temptation; it is our basic temptation as humans.

The secret of overcoming the lust of the flesh is to be grounded in the word of God. In the case of Adam and Eve, the devil twisted the word (instruction, command) of God making them believe God did not really say they were not to eat of any tree they wanted. Meanwhile, Jesus overcame by pointing out the importance of the word of God: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In this way, Jesus corrected the mistake of Adam and Eve as St. Paul explains in today’s second reading. This was truly a great victory. Make God’s word a priority and you will find the strength to overcome your flesh.

3. How to Overcome the Pride of Life (Second Temptation)

Somehow, we all long to lord it over others; we long to make ourselves gods in the eyes of others; we want people to praise us, clap for us, and even worship us. We all crave power. The devil sought to exploit this particular human trait when he took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and asked him to jump down so that people would see it and think Jesus came down from heaven.

The devil even went as far as quoting the Bible to convince Jesus. It is interesting to note that in all of these three temptations, the devil was trying to make Jesus misuse His power as God in human flesh. Jesus knew how wonderful it would be to be praised by people yet Jesus realized that by jumping down, He would be putting God to the test. He said to the devil: “You shall not tempt the Lord Your God.”

The secret to overcoming this temptation is prayer. This is because prayer reminds us of our nothingness before God, it helps us to humble ourselves and conquer our pride. Also, prayer helps us develop a deep trust in God such that we no longer need God to prove Himself to us by signs and wonders.

4. How to Overcome the Lust of the Eyes. (Third Temptation)

The devil then showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, the palatial mansions, lands, cars, gold, and silver, in short, all the beautiful things in this world saying they would be given to Jesus so long as he worships the devil. Think of the many lies we tell, the figures we falsify, the various ways we steal, the evils we do and so on just to become rich, just to show off in the best, the latest, and the coziest.

St. John calls these things the lust of the eyes because they are simply for the looking, they never bring us any true satisfaction deep within. No wonder Adam Smith describes the human creature as an insatiable being. We just can’t get enough of this world’s riches.

The secret of overcoming this temptation is making God our priority, seeking first God’s kingdom and its righteousness, and worshipping God and not the things created by God. Very often, we fall for this temptation because we make money, riches, and fancy things our gods. Jesus said to Satan, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.” 

Conclusion (Use the Three Keys of Lent)

While prayer helps to check our pride, fasting helps us control the flesh and almsgiving prevents us from being carried away by the desire for riches. Be alert to temptations; they must come. Once you notice you are being tempted, never trust in your flesh, run to God in prayer like little children would run to the arms of their parents when they see a beast coming. I like how Matthew concludes today’s Gospel passage: “Then the devil left him, and behold, angels, came and ministered to him.” There is nothing as sweet as overcoming temptation. Each time we defeat the devil, we are visited by Angels and the consolation they bring always far outweighs whatever fun or pleasure the devil had promised us if we sin. Meanwhile, if we agree to the lies of the devil, we soon realize within a short time, like Adam and Eve did that we were deceived. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, endow me with the grace to overcome temptations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (1st Sunday of Lent, Bible Study: Genesis 2:7-9,3:1-7, Ps. 51:3-6,12-14,17, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Stop Pointing Fingers; Look Inwards

Saturday 25th February 2023. Readings: Isaiah 58:9-14, Ps. 86:1-6, Luke 5:27-32 

“The Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Luke 5:30-31)

It is easier to notice the speck in my neighbors’ eyes than the logs in mine. It is easier to preach to others than to examine our conscience. It is easier to point fingers at those in the government than to be a good leader. Some of us who rain insults on our leaders cannot even manage a social media group. You may be very good at diagnosing others but if you never go for a check-up, you might be dying gradually without knowing it.

As Isaiah tells us in our first reading today, one of the sins that God hates is the pointing of fingers at others. To put it simply, if we have the habit of gossiping about others, and running them down (character assassination), meanwhile, we are guilty of the same sins, and we prevent our prayers from being heard by God.

In the book of Revelation, the devil is described as the “accuser of our brethren” (Rev. 12:10). We behave like the devil when we point fingers at others without first washing ourselves. We behave like the devil when all we care about is looking good on the outside while remaining rotten on the inside. Watch out when you begin to point fingers at everyone, you may be unconsciously fighting something within yourself.

There are two kinds of sinners; those who admit they are sinners and are willing to repent and those who believe they are perfect. Jesus gave the parable of a physician with reference to the second group. Unlike the Pharisees, Levi admitted his faults; he knew he needed a physician. While the Pharisees were busy running their mouths, Levi and his friends were having a foretaste of heaven; enjoying a banquet with Jesus Christ.

Later on, Jesus would say: “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” (Matthew 21:31-32). Rather than exert your energy on pointing fingers at others, use it to develop yourself. Become the change you would like to see in others. Don’t stop at verbally condemning evil, let your actions also do the talking for you. You can’t fight the darkness, just shine a light.

Instead of pointing fingers, behave like Jesus, make friends with the person; show love to them; eat with them, and as the prophet Isaiah says: “pour ourselves out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted that our light my rise in the darkness.” (Isaiah 58:10). There a power in sharing meals with others. Meal times are moments of bonding, great conversations are held at mealtime, hearts are touched and lives are changed.

Develop the habit of family meal times. Make it compulsory. Social media (smartphones) has made us forget how to be families. Everyone is glued to their phones and no one has time for another anymore. Jesus used meals to convert the worst sinners, you can use mealtime too to instruct the wayward and bring back the lost. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, may I wholly follow you leaving sin behind. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday after Ash Wednesday. Bible Study: Isaiah 58:9-14, Ps. 86:1-6, Luke 5:27-32).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

The Fasting That Pleases God

Friday 24th February 2023. Readings: Isaiah 58:1-9, Ps. 51:3-6,18-19, Matthew 9:14-15 

“Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice be heard on high.” (Isaiah 58:3-4)

The disciples of John asked Jesus: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” It is possible that the disciples of Jesus were fasting but did not show it. As Jesus told us in our Gospel passage on Ash Wednesday: “When you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. … When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret.” (Matthew 6:16-18)

However, even if the disciples of Jesus were not fasting, there was no need to fast because Jesus, the bridegroom, was right there. We should not fast because it is a fasting season or because everyone around us is fasting. Our fasting must have a genuine purpose and must be done according to the mind of God.

Fasting is not merely a deprivation from food or other pleasurable things; it is a spiritual exercise that involves our whole being. If we fast and engage in quarreling, fighting, or acts of wickedness, Isaiah says these things will prevent our fasting from reaching heaven.

If you must fast, let not your hunger become an occasion for anger, fighting, or bitterness. It is better to eat well and control your temper than to allow your hunger to push you into sin.

The type of fasting that pleases God is: “to lose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, to break every yoke… to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him” (Isaiah 58:6-7)

Fasting is good but your fasting is useless if nobody benefits from it. Fast from selfishness, fast from self-centeredness, leave your comfort zone, visit the poor, the lonely, the oppressed, and those who have nowhere to stay or cannot afford to buy clothes, and help as much as you can. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, may my fast find favour in your sight. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday after Ash Wednesday, Bible Study: Isaiah 58:1-9, Ps. 51:3-6,18-19, Matthew 9:14-15).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Choose Good, Choose Life; Choose Blessing

Thursday 23rd February 2023. Readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Ps. 1:1-4,6, Luke 9:22-25

“For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:25) 

In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses tells us that God has set before us life (good) and death (evil), blessings, and curses. God who made you without your cooperation will not save you without your cooperation. 

God will never force His way on us. It is always going to be up to us to decide what becomes of us through the choices we make on a daily basis. We are free to choose but we are not free to avoid the consequences of our choices.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus sends out an open invitation to us, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me for whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.”

Note that Jesus began with the word “If”. Thus, no one is forced to follow Jesus. It is a decision that has to come from your heart, a choice to deny yourself, to take up your cross every day, and follow behind Jesus.

The best choice in this season of Lent is self-denial. We are called to fast (deny ourselves from pleasures), pray (deny ourselves from pride), and give alms (deny ourselves from greed and selfishness).

We live in a world where no one wants to hear about self-denial. Everyone seeks the easy way, the path of pleasure and comfort but Jesus says: “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, save me from wrong choices. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Thursday after Ash Wednesday. Bible Study: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Ps. 1:1-4,6, Luke 9:22-25).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Return to God with Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving

Wednesday 22nd February 2023. Readings: Joel 2:12-18, Ps. 51:3-6,12-14,17, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2, Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

“Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2:12-13)

Every year, the voice of the Prophet Joel ushers us into the season of Lent with a beautiful message of hope that begins with two powerful words: “EVEN NOW”. If you are alive today and are able to read or listen to this message, it means God has given you another chance. It is not too late to return with all your heart to him.

Saint Paul in our second reading adds: “Now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Procrastination, they say, is the thief of time. Never keep until tomorrow whatever good you can do today because you do not know what day would be your last day on earth.

This very fact is what is symbolized by the ashes we receive today. “Remember that you are dust and unto dust, you shall return.” Ashes remind us of our own death; the fact that one day, we shall become dust, and the fact that we profit nothing if we gain the world and lose our souls.

Make the most of this Lent; apply yourself fully to all the spiritual exercises with sincerity and a genuine purpose. Do not show off. Joel says: “Rend your heart, not your garment.” Jesus warns: “Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for you will have no reward in heaven.”

During this Lenten season, the church offers us certain great keys to aid our return to God. These include prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Fasting helps to discipline the flesh and put its desires to check but it must be accompanied by prayer. 

Secondly, if we must fast, whatever is saved should be for the benefit of the hungry. In other words, fasting and prayer must go with charity (almsgiving). Above all, let us never get tired of doing good. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, grant me the grace of genuine repentance. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Ash Wednesday, Liturgical Colour: Violet. Bible Study: Joel 2:12-18, Ps. 51:3-6,12-14,17, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2, Matthew 6:1-6,16-18).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Humility and Service: Two Powerful Keys for Greatness

Tuesday 21st February 2023. Readings: Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11, Ps. 37:3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40, Mark 9:30-37

“And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.’” (Mark 9:35)

The desire to be great is one that is edged deeply in the human spirit. Having been created by a great God, there is something in us that constantly longs for self-actualization, personal fulfillment, and respect from others.

Just as God desires that we worship him and him alone, we who are made in His image and likeness also desire that others “worship” us; that is why we don’t joke with our self-esteem and public image. However, the way we go about seeking the respect of others matters.

Jesus does not condemn the desire to be great, instead, he brought a little child into the midst of the disciples to illustrate that true greatness is not really about lording it over others but serving them and bringing oneself down in humility.

Even our first reading today corroborates this fact when it says: “For gold and silver are tested in the fire and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.” Trust me, no one likes a proud person, but  humility will take you forward.

Once upon a time, an accident occurred and a man was at the point of death, people gathered at the scene. A lady dressed in a nurse uniform walked up to the scene and attempted to push everyone away. She shouted: “Leave here, all of you, I am a nurse. I am the only one who can attend to him.”

She noticed that an elderly woman dressed in mufti was still beside the man so she shouted at the woman: “Please step away, I am a certified and qualified nurse, I know what to do for this man to save his life.” The woman looked at her and quietly stepped aside. As the nurse was fumbling with what to do, the woman whispered into her ear: “In case you need a doctor, there is one right behind you.” 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, teach me to be humble always. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of week 7 in Ordinary Time, Bible Study: Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11, Ps. 37:3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40, Mark 9:30-37).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Faith and Wisdom: Two Powerful Keys for Victory over Evil

Monday 20th February 2023. Readings: Ecclesiasticus 1:1-10, Ps. 93:1-2,5, Mark 9:14-29 

“When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ He said to them, ‘This kind can come out only through prayer.’” (Mark 9:28-29)

The inability of Jesus’ disciples to cure a demon-possessed boy teaches us a lot of lessons. Firstly, it highlights the battle against evil which we constantly face. St. Paul teaches us: “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Secondly, it shows that we must be prepared at all times. Again as St. Paul would say: “Therefore, take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13)

The disciples asked Jesus in private why they could not cast out the demon and Jesus responded “This type can only be driven out by prayer.” As the saying goes: “you do not wait till it's raining before you start fixing the leaking roof”. Be prayerful at all times because you do not know what battles lie ahead.

Thirdly, this episode highlights the love and responsibility of parents. The father of the boy decided to carry his son to look for a solution. Even the Father’s presence at the scene was instrumental to the healing of the boy and his prayer is one that we must constantly pray: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” Fathers, never desert your children.

Fourthly, faith is an all-important weapon we must not only possess but apply. Jesus said: “All things are possible to him who believes.” What is clear from this encounter is that even though the disciples were commanding the demon, deep down within them, they were not expecting the demon to obey. Everything is possible if you believe. The question is: “Do you believe?”

Fifthly, the fact that Jesus was disappointed with his disciples shows that Jesus was expecting them to be able to cast it out on their own. St. John would later teach us: “Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) 

Finally, as our first reading admonishes us, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. You may claim to have faith but without wisdom, you would find yourself making mistakes.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, help me to apply my faith wisely. Through Christ our Lord. Amen 

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of week 7 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ecclesiasticus 1:1-10, Ps. 93:1-2,5, Mark 9:14-29).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu

Love of Enemies, Forgiveness and Kindness: Hallmarks of Christian Perfection

Sunday 19th February 2023. Readings: Lev. 19:1-2,17-18, Ps. 103, 1 Cor. 3:16-23, Mt 5:38-48

“If you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (Matthew 5:46-47)

Last Sunday, Jesus taught us that if our righteousness does not exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees, we would not enter heaven. Today, Jesus takes a step further to say we must be perfect like God.

As the saying goes: “Mediocrity is the killer of genius and it is only in the struggle for perfection that we become our very best.” If as a Christian, you are not aiming for sainthood, you haven’t really started growing and if you are not growing, you are dying gradually.

The question is: What does it mean to be perfect? Does it imply attending not less than two Masses every day, going for confession four times every day, and genuflecting till your head touches the ground? Does it mean praying twenty decades of the rosary every day? Does perfection imply fasting from 6am to 6pm every day?

Let us now consider how today’s readings answer this question and I dare say that in the end, it would shock you to know that Christian perfection may not be as difficult as you may imagine it to be.

1. To be Perfect, Love Those Who Hate You.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil.” (Matthew 5:38). Christian perfection basically is refusing to retaliate the wrongs and offences of others. If God were to retaliate every time we sin against him, the entire human race would have long disappeared.

The perfection of God lies in His ability to forgive, to overlook, and to give second chances while at the same time remaining just. Our Psalmist today reminds us, “it is he forgives all your sins, who crowns you with mercy and compassion… he is slow to anger, he does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults….”

Forgiveness is the heart of Christian perfection. Peter once asked Jesus: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus went on to add that if we do not forgive others, God would also deny us forgiveness. (Cf. Matthew 18:35)

Show me a Christian who does not forgive, who prays constantly for the destruction of his enemies (both real and perceived) and I would show you an imperfect Christian; one who seeks to use God as a weapon of mass destruction. Indeed, if you want to know the extent of someone’s Christianity, observe how he or she behaves when angry, provoked, offended or insulted by others. Even those folding their hands now like angels will start behaving like garage touts. 

2. To be Perfect, Help Those Who Beg from You.

“Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:42) Helping people is another aspect of Christian perfection. To be a Christian is to resemble Jesus Christ who, though was rich, chose to empty himself and assume the status of a slave just to redeem mankind. (Cf. 2 Cor. 8:9).

If you have what it takes to help someone in need and you refuse to do so, know that despite all your singing and bowing in church, you are not yet a perfect Christian. St. James teaches us that our faith without work is dead, that is, having faith but refusing to help the needy is useless. (Cf. James 2:15-17).  

Two Sundays ago, we heard the Prophet Isaiah saying to us: “… share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, cover him, and do not hide from your own flesh… Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’” (Isaiah 58:7-9)

3. To be Perfect, Love Your Enemies; that is, Do Not Have Enemies

“I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:44-45). One shining attribute of God is that He is kind not only to the good but also to those who are evil.

Christian perfection basically is refraining from selective love. It is doing to others exactly what you want them to do to you and this includes those who have not been nice to you. By saying we should love our enemies, Jesus is not asking us to develop romantic relationships with those who hurt us. Jesus is simply saying: ‘be good to your enemies as if they are your friends or better put, do not have enemies at all.’

The irony of life is that those you consider to be your friends today are most likely going to be your worst enemies tomorrow and those you think are your enemies today may turn out to be your life-savers tomorrow. Be good to everyone. No matter what someone has done to you, try to still see God in them. And if you sincerely cannot remove the bitterness you feel in your heart towards them, Jesus says, pray for them. Ask God to change them, to transform them completely.

4. To be Perfect, Start Thinking like God

“Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16) Christian perfection is being conscious of the fact that you are God’s temple; it is treating your body not merely as an object of pleasure but as a medium of worship.

In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul explains further: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-- what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2). 

Christian perfection is operating not by the standards of the world but by the standards of God. St. Paul says the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. Again, to remind us of what Jesus taught us two Sundays ago, as Christians, we are the salt and the light of the world. We are meant to show good examples rather than copy that which is popular.

Conclusion: To be perfect, is to love your neighbour as yourself

Our first reading today beautifully sums everything for us: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.”

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, free me from all forms of bitterness that I may be kind even to those who have done me harm in the past. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (7th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Lev. 19:1-2,17-18, Ps. 103, 1 Cor. 3:16-23, Mt 5:38-48).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu