Homily of Fourth Sunday of Lent Year C
As God planned it, the Israelites arrived in the land of Canaan (the promised land) about the same time of the year (the month of Nisan) they left Egypt. The month of Nisan is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. On arrival, the Israelites celebrated the Passover, a seven-day celebration. During the celebration, the Israelites ate the produce of the land of Canaan. With the produce of the land for their food, the manna ceased.
Before the celebration of the feast of the Passover, God commanded Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise Israel… None of those born in the wilderness during the journey after the departure from Egypt were circumcised… When the circumcision of the entire nation was complete, they remained in camp where they were, until they recovered. Then the Lord said to Joshua: Today, I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you” (Joshua 5:1-9).
The circumcision is a sign of reconciliation with God. It made the entire nation new to celebrate the Passover and to settle in the promised land. The Israelites went through physical circumcision before the Passover and before they settled into the promised land. In the same way, we are required to go through spiritual circumcision, that is the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as we journey through the Lenten Season and as we prepare to celebrate Easter. If physical circumcision was capable of removing the “reproach of Egypt” and sanctify the nation of Israel; even more so the Sacrament of Reconciliation is capable of obtaining forgiveness and removing the reproach of our sins. The power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is as stated by St. Paul in the second reading: It makes us new creation in Christ, old things pass away, and new things come. St. Paul continues, “All this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation…” The ministry of reconciliation is God’s creation, not the Church!
We have a lot to learn from the four individuals in the Gospel reading.
Servant: It appears to me that the servant lacked control of his tongue. Perhaps, he should have only said to the older brother, “Your brother has returned and we are celebrating.” Rather than, “Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf…” Proverbs 10:19 says, “Where words are many sin is not wanting.”
Older brother: He seems to be an example of people who work very hard but are full of resentment, anger and grudges. “He became very angry and refused to enter the house…” He said, “Look, all these years I have served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.” It is better to do little happily than to do much with a lot of anger.
Father: His unconditional forgiveness of his prodigal son challenges us. He restored his son to his princely position unconditionally. He put on him the finest robe, which means restoring the son’s royalty. He put a ring on his finger, which means renewing the father-son covenant broken by the son. He put sandals on his feet, which means restoring the son’s confidence. The father teaches us what unconditional forgiveness is about.
Prodigal son: His ability to come to his senses and rise above shame and guilt challenges us too. Let us not remain where we have fallen, or remain in the guilt of the past and wound of the past. Let us get up and go to the father for forgiveness, restoration and healing. Let us come to our senses.
The readings of today’s Mass teach us that there is no sin that is beyond God’s pardon, but we have to get up and go to God for spiritual circumcision (first reading), reconciliation (second reading), forgiveness, restoration and healing (Gospel).
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Fr Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for 3rd Sunday of Lent year C, March 24, 2019
Homily of Third Sunday of Lent Year C
The first reading tells about the call of Moses. Moses had fled from Egypt to Midian. There, he was tending the flock of his father in-law. While in the region of Mount Horeb he was called by God: “An angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in fire flaming out of a bush. As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush, though on fire, was not consumed. So Moses decided, ‘I must go over and look at this remarkable sight, and see why the bush is not burned.’ When the Lord saw him coming over to look at it more closely, God called out to him from the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ He answered, ‘I am here.’ God said, ‘Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. …’ God, I AM, then, gave Moses the mission to go and get the Israelites out of Egypt.
We need not wait for God to call us in a dramatic way. The Eucharistic celebration is our own “flaming fire out of a bush.” Coming to church is like Moses going over to see the flaming fire. Raising our voice in prayer is like approaching the flaming fire. Approaching the altar to receive the Holy Eucharist is like approaching the flaming fire. ‘I AM’ speaks to us through his word we have read. He invites each one of us to “remove the sandals from [our] feet.” This means to remove the ‘sandals’ of sin.
Psalm 15: “Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain? Whoever walks without blame, doing what is right, speaking truth from the heart; who does not slander with his tongue, does no harm to a friend, never defames a neighbor; who disdains the wicked, but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath despite the cost, lends no money at interest, accepts no bribe against the innocent. Whoever acts like this shall never be shaken.
Psalm 24:3-5: “Who may go up the mountain of the Lord? Who can stand in his holy place? The clean of hand and pure of heart, who has not given his soul to useless things, what is vain. He will receive blessings from the Lord, and justice from his saving God.”
Isaiah 33:14-15: “Who of us can live with consuming fire? Who of us can live with everlasting flames? Whoever walks righteously and speaks honestly, who spurns what is gained by oppression, who waves off contact with a bribe, who stops his ears so as not to hear of bloodshed, who closes his eyes so as not to look on evil.”
God sent Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. God said, “I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and I have heard their cry of complain … I know well what they are suffering.” God may be sending us to a mission to free someone whom God has witnessed the person’s cry and suffering. Our excuses and reluctance are the ‘sandals’ on our feet. When God minister’s such call in our hearts, let us not, like Moses, become afraid and hide our face from God. Let us, rather, pray for the grace to carry out God’s command. St. Bernardine of Siena writes, “This is a general rule that applies to a rational creature. Whenever divine grace selects someone to serve a particular grace, or some especially favored position, all the gifts for his state are given to that person, and enrich him abundantly.” Simply put, when God give us a mission, he gives us the grace. May such grace not pass us by due to the ‘sandals’ on our feet.
The Gospel reminds us that although we are sinners and unworthy, yet God gives us opportunities to return to him, opportunities to become what he wants us to be, opportunities for greater heights, opportunities for progress, opportunities to break new grounds, opportunities to bear fruits; we must not continue to waste such opportunities. Such opportunities do not continue forever. St. Peter writes, “God’s patience is our opportunity to be saved” (2 Peter 3:15). An English proverb says, “Make hay while the sun shines.” A Nigerian Igbo adage says, “Gather in your black goats while it is still day. You may not be able to see the dark goats in the darkness of the night.”
Jesus speaks of the possibility of the door of opportunities closing; “After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from’” (Luke 13:25). God of mercy is also God of justice. God of mercy is also God of justice. "Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down."
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP
The first reading tells about the call of Moses. Moses had fled from Egypt to Midian. There, he was tending the flock of his father in-law. While in the region of Mount Horeb he was called by God: “An angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in fire flaming out of a bush. As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush, though on fire, was not consumed. So Moses decided, ‘I must go over and look at this remarkable sight, and see why the bush is not burned.’ When the Lord saw him coming over to look at it more closely, God called out to him from the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ He answered, ‘I am here.’ God said, ‘Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. …’ God, I AM, then, gave Moses the mission to go and get the Israelites out of Egypt.
We need not wait for God to call us in a dramatic way. The Eucharistic celebration is our own “flaming fire out of a bush.” Coming to church is like Moses going over to see the flaming fire. Raising our voice in prayer is like approaching the flaming fire. Approaching the altar to receive the Holy Eucharist is like approaching the flaming fire. ‘I AM’ speaks to us through his word we have read. He invites each one of us to “remove the sandals from [our] feet.” This means to remove the ‘sandals’ of sin.
Psalm 15: “Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain? Whoever walks without blame, doing what is right, speaking truth from the heart; who does not slander with his tongue, does no harm to a friend, never defames a neighbor; who disdains the wicked, but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath despite the cost, lends no money at interest, accepts no bribe against the innocent. Whoever acts like this shall never be shaken.
Psalm 24:3-5: “Who may go up the mountain of the Lord? Who can stand in his holy place? The clean of hand and pure of heart, who has not given his soul to useless things, what is vain. He will receive blessings from the Lord, and justice from his saving God.”
Isaiah 33:14-15: “Who of us can live with consuming fire? Who of us can live with everlasting flames? Whoever walks righteously and speaks honestly, who spurns what is gained by oppression, who waves off contact with a bribe, who stops his ears so as not to hear of bloodshed, who closes his eyes so as not to look on evil.”
God sent Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egypt. God said, “I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and I have heard their cry of complain … I know well what they are suffering.” God may be sending us to a mission to free someone whom God has witnessed the person’s cry and suffering. Our excuses and reluctance are the ‘sandals’ on our feet. When God minister’s such call in our hearts, let us not, like Moses, become afraid and hide our face from God. Let us, rather, pray for the grace to carry out God’s command. St. Bernardine of Siena writes, “This is a general rule that applies to a rational creature. Whenever divine grace selects someone to serve a particular grace, or some especially favored position, all the gifts for his state are given to that person, and enrich him abundantly.” Simply put, when God give us a mission, he gives us the grace. May such grace not pass us by due to the ‘sandals’ on our feet.
The Gospel reminds us that although we are sinners and unworthy, yet God gives us opportunities to return to him, opportunities to become what he wants us to be, opportunities for greater heights, opportunities for progress, opportunities to break new grounds, opportunities to bear fruits; we must not continue to waste such opportunities. Such opportunities do not continue forever. St. Peter writes, “God’s patience is our opportunity to be saved” (2 Peter 3:15). An English proverb says, “Make hay while the sun shines.” A Nigerian Igbo adage says, “Gather in your black goats while it is still day. You may not be able to see the dark goats in the darkness of the night.”
Jesus speaks of the possibility of the door of opportunities closing; “After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from’” (Luke 13:25). God of mercy is also God of justice. God of mercy is also God of justice. "Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down."
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Fr Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for 2nd Sunday of Lent year C, March 17, 2019
Homily of Second Sunday of Lent Year C
In some ancient cultures, including the Aramean culture where Abram belonged, when two parties or individuals made a covenant, they cut an animal into half, arrange the halves on two sides, and the parties or the individuals who made the covenant pass through between the animal parts. This ritual sealed the covenant. Passing through between the animal parts arranged on two sides was a way of swearing, “May what happened to the animal happen to me if I go against the covenant.” This ritual seems, partly, to be what is described in the first reading. “Abram brought him [God] all these, split them in two, placed each half opposite the other…When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking fire pot and flaming torch, which passed between those pieces. It was on that occasion that the Lord made a covenant with Abram…” The smoking fire pot and flaming torch which passed between the animal parts can be said to represent God passing through between the animal parts. We can also assume that Abram might have passed through between the animal parts before the trance fell upon him.
The first reading is not a study of ancient Aramean’s way of making a covenant. It is a reminder of our various covenants with God, especially our baptismal covenant. We make the following baptismal promises: to renounce sin, evil and Satan; and to believe in God, in Jesus, and in the Holy Spirit. Because we have all fallen short of our baptismal promises, we are, therefore, called to repentance, especially, during the holy season of Lent. We are invited to draw close to Jesus. As the second reading says, “He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body…” The same invitation is given to us in the Gospel. We are invited to transfigure as Jesus was transfigured, and to dazzle as Jesus dazzled.
To change, transfigure and dazzle means to reject Satan, to reject sin, and to reject lures and occasions of sin. It means to renew one’s spiritual life.
To transfigure means to change in order to reveal hidden beauty of the soul and body. The beauty of one’s soul and body can be hidden by concerns and anxieties of life. There are people who used to be warm and happy, who dazzled in their assignments and responsibilities. But now, they perform very poorly. Such people are invited to put their faith in God as Abram did. God will transfigure them and they will dazzle again.
There are times the beauty of our soul and body are hidden not by any fault of ours but by difficulties of life. At such times, it is faith in God that transfigures us in the face of the difficulties.
In our time, it is no longer to sacrifice “a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat, and a three-year-old ram, a turtle dove, and a young pigeon,” it is to draw close to Jesus who died for us. He sealed the covenant between human being and God by his blood shed on the Cross. That is why God says, as we read in the Gospel, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” Our transformation and transfiguration are assured if we listen to Jesus and follow him.
Jesus confirms the transformative power of his words:
Matthew 7:24-25, “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.”
John 6:63, “It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.”
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP
In some ancient cultures, including the Aramean culture where Abram belonged, when two parties or individuals made a covenant, they cut an animal into half, arrange the halves on two sides, and the parties or the individuals who made the covenant pass through between the animal parts. This ritual sealed the covenant. Passing through between the animal parts arranged on two sides was a way of swearing, “May what happened to the animal happen to me if I go against the covenant.” This ritual seems, partly, to be what is described in the first reading. “Abram brought him [God] all these, split them in two, placed each half opposite the other…When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking fire pot and flaming torch, which passed between those pieces. It was on that occasion that the Lord made a covenant with Abram…” The smoking fire pot and flaming torch which passed between the animal parts can be said to represent God passing through between the animal parts. We can also assume that Abram might have passed through between the animal parts before the trance fell upon him.
The first reading is not a study of ancient Aramean’s way of making a covenant. It is a reminder of our various covenants with God, especially our baptismal covenant. We make the following baptismal promises: to renounce sin, evil and Satan; and to believe in God, in Jesus, and in the Holy Spirit. Because we have all fallen short of our baptismal promises, we are, therefore, called to repentance, especially, during the holy season of Lent. We are invited to draw close to Jesus. As the second reading says, “He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body…” The same invitation is given to us in the Gospel. We are invited to transfigure as Jesus was transfigured, and to dazzle as Jesus dazzled.
To change, transfigure and dazzle means to reject Satan, to reject sin, and to reject lures and occasions of sin. It means to renew one’s spiritual life.
To transfigure means to change in order to reveal hidden beauty of the soul and body. The beauty of one’s soul and body can be hidden by concerns and anxieties of life. There are people who used to be warm and happy, who dazzled in their assignments and responsibilities. But now, they perform very poorly. Such people are invited to put their faith in God as Abram did. God will transfigure them and they will dazzle again.
There are times the beauty of our soul and body are hidden not by any fault of ours but by difficulties of life. At such times, it is faith in God that transfigures us in the face of the difficulties.
In our time, it is no longer to sacrifice “a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat, and a three-year-old ram, a turtle dove, and a young pigeon,” it is to draw close to Jesus who died for us. He sealed the covenant between human being and God by his blood shed on the Cross. That is why God says, as we read in the Gospel, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” Our transformation and transfiguration are assured if we listen to Jesus and follow him.
Jesus confirms the transformative power of his words:
Matthew 7:24-25, “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.”
John 6:63, “It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.”
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Fr Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for 1st Sunday of Lent year C, March 10, 2019
Homily of First Sunday of Lent Year C
Moses did not reach the Promised Land. However, he prescribed for the Israelites laws and directives they were to keep in the Promised Land that would guide their relationship with God and with one another. The first reading was a pronouncement to be made during the feast of harvest thanksgiving. The pronouncement summaries Israel’s history and journey with God from their ancestors to their settling in the Promised Land. The offering of the first fruits from one’s farm and the pronouncement were an expression of gratitude to God for his blessings. The reading encourages us to be grateful to God for his love and mercy, and to express our gratitude practically by offering to the Church of God from the blessings we have received.
On offering to the Church Sirach 35:6-13 says, “Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts. The offering of the just enriches the altar: a sweet odor before the Most High. The sacrifice of the just is accepted, never to be forgotten. With a generous spirit pay homage to the Lord, and do not spare your freewill gifts. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means. For he is a God who always repays and will give back to you sevenfold.” Luke 6:38, “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” The Church uses the offering to serve humanity, carry out the work of evangelization, and build up God’s kingdom here on earth.
For us in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, the reading is very meaningful. When 2017 Hurricane Harvey and its flood caused catastrophic damage to our church and hall buildings, we had nowhere to celebrate Mass and perform other spiritual exercises. We became ‘wandering worshipers.’ We gathered outdoors on the church ground to celebrate the Mass. Later, we got a donation of a tent, which sheltered us from sun and rain. We could no longer stay outdoors to celebrate Mass when winter arrived. We moved and squeezed ourselves into the parish garage (which we renamed ‘Providence House’). The garage had no insulation which made the winter cold and the summer heat almost unbearable. Yet, we stood our ground! We continued to celebrate Mass in it until the parish hall was reconstructed a year later. Our first Mass in the reconstructed church building was last weekend, about eighteen months after the experience of Hurricane Harvey. We have every reason to thank God for his grace and mercy, and for leading and guiding us through the rough, tempting and trial times. We all have our individual and family journeys, experiences and testimonies of God’s saving grace for which we need to be grateful and thankful to him.
The devil does not want us to have good relationship with our good and gracious God. He comes with all kinds of temptations to draws us away from God. The Gospel story of the temptation of Jesus by the devil shows us some subtle ways the devil uses to tempt us in order to draw us away from God. The first temptation shows us that the devil tempts and tries to separate us from God through our needs. The temptation is usually for us to go for what we need through improper means, that is to turn stone to bread. The second temptation shows us that the devil tempts and tries to separate us from God by making us worship and derive authority and glory from the things of this world rather than derive authority and glory from God. The third temptation shows how the devil desires to disconnect us from God by making us lose the virtue of self-content and trust in God but engage in harmful and dangerous ambitious activities for a better life (throw oneself down from pinnacle of the temple).
If the devil tempted Jesus who is God, he will tempt us more who are mere human beings. 1 John 5:19 warns, “We know that we are children of God, [but] the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 also warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” St. Augustine encourages us where he writes, “Our pilgrim life here on earth cannot be without temptation, for it is through temptation that we make progress, and it is only by being tempted that we come to know ourselves.” The following words from the second reading are very encouraging too, “No one who believes in [Jesus] will be put to shame… For every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” Let the name of Jesus, the name that is above every name, be in our hearts and on our lips. It is by the power of his name that we triumph over every temptation as he himself did. I wish you a spirit-filled Lenten Season.
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP
Moses did not reach the Promised Land. However, he prescribed for the Israelites laws and directives they were to keep in the Promised Land that would guide their relationship with God and with one another. The first reading was a pronouncement to be made during the feast of harvest thanksgiving. The pronouncement summaries Israel’s history and journey with God from their ancestors to their settling in the Promised Land. The offering of the first fruits from one’s farm and the pronouncement were an expression of gratitude to God for his blessings. The reading encourages us to be grateful to God for his love and mercy, and to express our gratitude practically by offering to the Church of God from the blessings we have received.
On offering to the Church Sirach 35:6-13 says, “Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the precepts. The offering of the just enriches the altar: a sweet odor before the Most High. The sacrifice of the just is accepted, never to be forgotten. With a generous spirit pay homage to the Lord, and do not spare your freewill gifts. With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means. For he is a God who always repays and will give back to you sevenfold.” Luke 6:38, “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” The Church uses the offering to serve humanity, carry out the work of evangelization, and build up God’s kingdom here on earth.
For us in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, the reading is very meaningful. When 2017 Hurricane Harvey and its flood caused catastrophic damage to our church and hall buildings, we had nowhere to celebrate Mass and perform other spiritual exercises. We became ‘wandering worshipers.’ We gathered outdoors on the church ground to celebrate the Mass. Later, we got a donation of a tent, which sheltered us from sun and rain. We could no longer stay outdoors to celebrate Mass when winter arrived. We moved and squeezed ourselves into the parish garage (which we renamed ‘Providence House’). The garage had no insulation which made the winter cold and the summer heat almost unbearable. Yet, we stood our ground! We continued to celebrate Mass in it until the parish hall was reconstructed a year later. Our first Mass in the reconstructed church building was last weekend, about eighteen months after the experience of Hurricane Harvey. We have every reason to thank God for his grace and mercy, and for leading and guiding us through the rough, tempting and trial times. We all have our individual and family journeys, experiences and testimonies of God’s saving grace for which we need to be grateful and thankful to him.
The devil does not want us to have good relationship with our good and gracious God. He comes with all kinds of temptations to draws us away from God. The Gospel story of the temptation of Jesus by the devil shows us some subtle ways the devil uses to tempt us in order to draw us away from God. The first temptation shows us that the devil tempts and tries to separate us from God through our needs. The temptation is usually for us to go for what we need through improper means, that is to turn stone to bread. The second temptation shows us that the devil tempts and tries to separate us from God by making us worship and derive authority and glory from the things of this world rather than derive authority and glory from God. The third temptation shows how the devil desires to disconnect us from God by making us lose the virtue of self-content and trust in God but engage in harmful and dangerous ambitious activities for a better life (throw oneself down from pinnacle of the temple).
If the devil tempted Jesus who is God, he will tempt us more who are mere human beings. 1 John 5:19 warns, “We know that we are children of God, [but] the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 also warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” St. Augustine encourages us where he writes, “Our pilgrim life here on earth cannot be without temptation, for it is through temptation that we make progress, and it is only by being tempted that we come to know ourselves.” The following words from the second reading are very encouraging too, “No one who believes in [Jesus] will be put to shame… For every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” Let the name of Jesus, the name that is above every name, be in our hearts and on our lips. It is by the power of his name that we triumph over every temptation as he himself did. I wish you a spirit-filled Lenten Season.
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Fr Martin Eke, MSP - Homily from 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time year C, March 3, 2019
Homily of Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
This is the last Sunday before Lent. The first and second readings have words of encouragement for us. The first reading says, “As the test of what the potter molds is in the furnace, so in tribulation is the test of the just.” Meaning, those who hold onto God, blessings come after tribulations. Jesus says, “Blessed is the one who does not lose faith in me” (Luke 7:21). In the second reading St Paul says, “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
In the Gospel Jesus tells us, “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye, when you do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?’” By this statement, Jesus invites us to pay more attention to our own faults than to the faults of others. This statement of Jesus means that the greater problem lies within the person than outside the person. We should rather become our own accuser (Proverb 18:17), rather than accuser of our brothers and sisters (Revelation 12:10). When we point one accusing finger to another person, the other fingers point at us and accuse us.
When we are blind to our faults, weaknesses and sins, we are quick to notice other people’s faults, weaknesses and sins. The more we know our faults, weaknesses and sins, the less we see other people’s faults, weaknesses and sins. That is why the ancient Greeks believed that self-knowledge is the best knowledge. Thus, the maxim, “Know thyself.”
It is sinful for us to ignore our own faults while emphasizing the faults of other people. This sin is only a manifestation of some internal deficiencies. Self-knowledge heals such deficiencies. Self-knowledge helps us not to jump into condemning rashly and judging prematurely, but to have the understanding that "there but for the grace of God, go I."
Jesus concludes the Gospel of today with the words, “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of store of evil produces evil; from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.” The first reading says, “One’s speech disclose the bent of one’s mind.” From these statements we can conclude that the state of our heart determines the state of our relationship with God and with human beings. Whatever is in the heart either sanctifies or defiles the body. Whatever occupies the depth of a person’s heart is what the person projects outside of himself or herself. It is what we have that we give. When a person’s heart is hardened, the person’s conscience dies, and the person’s spiritual eye goes completely blind. Then, the person lives an unspiritual life, and does things as if there is no God (Psalm 14:1).
Therefore, let us fill our hearts with whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, and whatever admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). We are invited today to remove our attention from the exterior so that we can make the inward journey of self-examination and acquire self-knowledge. We are invited to pray for a renewed heart and a heart of flesh to replace our heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26) as we go into the Lenten Season. Lucien Diess’ hymn, Grant to us O Lord a Heart Renewed comes to mind:
Grant to us, O Lord, a heart renewed;
Recreate in us your own Spirit, Lord!
Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord our God,
When I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel.
Deep within their being I will implant my law;
I will write it in their hearts.
I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And for all their faults I will grant forgiveness;
Nevermore will I remember their sins.
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP
This is the last Sunday before Lent. The first and second readings have words of encouragement for us. The first reading says, “As the test of what the potter molds is in the furnace, so in tribulation is the test of the just.” Meaning, those who hold onto God, blessings come after tribulations. Jesus says, “Blessed is the one who does not lose faith in me” (Luke 7:21). In the second reading St Paul says, “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
In the Gospel Jesus tells us, “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye, when you do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?’” By this statement, Jesus invites us to pay more attention to our own faults than to the faults of others. This statement of Jesus means that the greater problem lies within the person than outside the person. We should rather become our own accuser (Proverb 18:17), rather than accuser of our brothers and sisters (Revelation 12:10). When we point one accusing finger to another person, the other fingers point at us and accuse us.
When we are blind to our faults, weaknesses and sins, we are quick to notice other people’s faults, weaknesses and sins. The more we know our faults, weaknesses and sins, the less we see other people’s faults, weaknesses and sins. That is why the ancient Greeks believed that self-knowledge is the best knowledge. Thus, the maxim, “Know thyself.”
It is sinful for us to ignore our own faults while emphasizing the faults of other people. This sin is only a manifestation of some internal deficiencies. Self-knowledge heals such deficiencies. Self-knowledge helps us not to jump into condemning rashly and judging prematurely, but to have the understanding that "there but for the grace of God, go I."
Jesus concludes the Gospel of today with the words, “A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of store of evil produces evil; from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.” The first reading says, “One’s speech disclose the bent of one’s mind.” From these statements we can conclude that the state of our heart determines the state of our relationship with God and with human beings. Whatever is in the heart either sanctifies or defiles the body. Whatever occupies the depth of a person’s heart is what the person projects outside of himself or herself. It is what we have that we give. When a person’s heart is hardened, the person’s conscience dies, and the person’s spiritual eye goes completely blind. Then, the person lives an unspiritual life, and does things as if there is no God (Psalm 14:1).
Therefore, let us fill our hearts with whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, and whatever admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). We are invited today to remove our attention from the exterior so that we can make the inward journey of self-examination and acquire self-knowledge. We are invited to pray for a renewed heart and a heart of flesh to replace our heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26) as we go into the Lenten Season. Lucien Diess’ hymn, Grant to us O Lord a Heart Renewed comes to mind:
Grant to us, O Lord, a heart renewed;
Recreate in us your own Spirit, Lord!
Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord our God,
When I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel.
Deep within their being I will implant my law;
I will write it in their hearts.
I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
And for all their faults I will grant forgiveness;
Nevermore will I remember their sins.
Fr. Martin Eke, MSP
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