Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for The Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C - August 28, 2022

Homily of Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 2022

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Psalm 68:4-7, 10-11; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24; Luke 14:1, 7-14

The second reading highlights a difference between the Jewish Old Testament religion and the New Covenant religion. The leaders of the Old Testament religion were proud and self-righteous chief priests, Pharisees, scribes, Sadducees, and lawyers. The leader and mediator of the New Covenant religion is Jesus Christ who is meek and humble of heart. The first reading and the Gospel are invitations to us to imitate the humility of Jesus Christ.

First reading: “My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gift. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.... What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not” (Sirach 3:17-18, 21).

Gospel: “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table of honor... For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:7-11).

It is not a coincidence that the words ‘humble’ and ‘human’ are closely related. Both words are derived from the Latin word 'humus' or earth. Biology teaches us that 'humus' is the best part of the soil that makes plants grow. God made human beings from 'humus,' the best part of the soil. And human beings return to 'humus' at the end of their life span. God says to us in Genesis 3:19, “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Humility can be defined as devoid of pride or devoid of vanity. That is why some spiritual fathers and mothers see humility as the foundation of all virtues. According to St. Augustine, “In a soul humility does not exist, there can be no true virtue, but mere appearance.” St. Augustine also says, “If you are seeking perfection, there are three ways to reach it; first is humility, second is humility, and third is humility.” St. Dominic says, “Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.” St. Thomas Villanova says, “Humility is the mother of many virtues. From it springs obedience, holy fear, reverence, patience, modesty, mildness, and peace.” St. Thomas Villanova also says, “A humble person does not feel the insult which may be inflicted upon him or her.”

We may put it this way, a humble person does not retain in himself or herself insults inflicted upon him or her. When we experience prolonged anger or disturbance of soul, mind and body due to insults from someone, it means that the pride in us or our self-importance has retained the insults. The less proud we are or the less self-important we feel, the less we are wounded by insults, and the more forgiving we are. At the root of many un-forgiveness, misunderstandings and arguments is wounded pride or wounded self-importance. Scripture says, “Where there is strife, there is pride; but wisdom is found in those who take advice” (Proverbs 13:10).

A humble person is content and detached, and does not engage in unhealthy competitions and comparisons. He or she is respectful. He or she is not arrogant. He or she does not depend on human recognition. Jesus did not depend on human testimony (John 5:34). He admonishes us, “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29). He teaches us humility when he washed the feet of his disciples. He said to them and to us, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13:12-15). This is excellent humility!

St. Paul encourages us to, “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him…” (Philippians 2:5-9).

A few more Bible passages on humility for our reflection and prayer:

Proverbs 8:13, “The Lord says, ‘I hate pride and arrogance, and perverse speech.”

Proverbs 11:12, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 29:23, “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gains honor.”

Luke 1:52-53, “He has brought down rulers from their thrones and has lifted the humble.”

James 4:10, Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up.”

Remember the piece of advice in the first reading, “What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not” (Sirach 3:21). Many people have perished and many more are perishing because this advice is not heeded.

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for The Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C - August 21, 2022

Homily of Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 2022

Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117:1-2; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30

Isaiah’s prophecy in the first reading: “… I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives (better translated as: survivors, messengers, emissaries, ambassadors, fighters) to the nations … to distant coastlands that have never heard my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. They shall all bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations as an offering to the Lord…Some of these I will take as priests and Levites …” Every word of this prophecy was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus Christ and the spread of Christianity all over the world.

We read in today’s gospel, “Someone asked Jesus, ‘Lord, will only a few people be saved?’” (Luke 13:23). Before the coming of Jesus, the Jews believed that the kingdom of God was only for the Jews, and that the Gentiles had no share in the kingdom. The questioner wanted to know Jesus’ opinion. Jesus explained that the kingdom of God is not a privilege or a birthright of any one or any group or any nation, but for those who merit it by their striving.

Unfortunately, like the Jews before the time of Jesus, in many places, resources, positions, placements, and so on are not shared or distributed equitably and according to merit but according to privilege, might and power. Jesus invites us today to pray for the conversion of those who promote the vices of favoritism, discrimination, exclusion, and entitlement in our society.

We are only pilgrims here on earth. We are on a journey to God’s kingdom. The second reading encourages us that as pilgrims, there are trials on the journey which cause us pain. The reading encourages us not to lose heart but endure the trials, and later enjoy the peaceful fruit of righteousness: “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

The reading wants us to see trials as discipline or training. Many times, trials are rungs of life’s ladder. Therefore, the reading exhorts us, “So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed” (Hebrews 12:12-14). Let no trials make anyone to fall off from his or her life’s ladder.

In the first reading, Prophet Isaiah calls us messengers sent by God to proclaim his glory among the nations and distant coastlands. Some of the messengers God has taken as priests and religious. But God has called all of us as messengers to bring brothers and sisters as an offering to him. This is to say that the journey to God’s kingdom is not a singular and self-centered journey but a communal and collective journey. The communal and collective journey to God’s kingdom is seen in the Lord’s prayer, “Our Father who art in heaven …” Not, “my father.” “Give us this day, our daily bread.” Not, “give me this day, my daily bread.” Favoritism, discrimination, and exclusion are ungodly.

Isaiah says that we are sent as messengers to the nations and distant coastland to bring brothers and sisters to God and to proclaim his glory. We ask ourselves a few questions. Where do I see myself in Isaiah’s message considering discipleship, evangelization, and witnessing Jesus to others? Can I boast of bringing anyone to God in any way? Where do I see myself in Isaiah’s message in helping someone in need, or bringing joy to someone who is distressed? Can the needy and the distressed see God’s glory through me?

Only a few of us God has taken as priests, religious, and missionaries who are God’s messengers to distant lands. For the rest of us, the nations and coastlands where we are sent as messengers are our family, our community, our neighborhood, our parish, our work place, and the society.

Moses’ words to the Israelites are relevant for our reflection, “For this command which I am giving you today is not too wondrous or remote for you. It is not in the heavens, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to the heavens to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may do it?’ Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may do it?’ No, it is something very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it” Deuteronomy 30:11-14).

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C - August 14, 2022

Homily of Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, 2022

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Psalm 40:2-4, 18; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53

The persecution of Jeremiah described in the first reading took place before Babylon conquered and destroyed Judah about 587 B.C. King Zedekiah and his princes were in dilemma, either to surrender and pay tax to Babylon or resist and be destroyed. The princes advised Zedekiah to seek alliance with Egypt and go to war with Babylon. Jeremiah advised against resisting and going to war with Babylon. He advised paying of tax to avoid the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. This contrary advice made the princes to seek the death of Jeremiah. They said to the king, “Jeremiah ought to be put to death; he is demoralizing the soldiers who are left in the city and all the people, … he is not interested in the welfare of our people, but in their ruin” (Jeremiah 38:4). Of course, the princes lied against Jeremiah. With the permission of the king, the princes threw Jeremiah into a well full of mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. Due to the intervention of Ebedmelech, Jeremiah was rescued from the well. It is pleasing to know that Ebedmelech, a court official, was an Ethiopian. Jeremiah was saved by an African!

Egypt refused to ally with Judah against Babylon. Babylon conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, and carried the people into exile.

The first reading is an example of where people refuse to humble themselves and accept truth but prefer to tell lies, and prefer to kill the messenger of truth. They do everything possible to sink truth into mud. The rescue of Jeremiah shows that truth never remains buried in the mud. Truth will eventually come to light, no matter how long it is hidden. Jesus says, “Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known” (Matthew 10:26).

The conquering of Judah, the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and carrying of the people into exile show the unfortunate consequences of arrogance, lies, and rejection of truth. St. Paul cautions, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

When we are confronted with truth, do we take the path of the princes; that is, reject the truth, tell lies, get rid of the messenger of the truth? Or, do we take the path of Ebedmelech; that is, speak the truth and see that the messenger of the truth is saved?

In today’s gospel, Jesus says that his coming will bring division. How does the Prince of Peace become a source of division? Jesus is the truth. Therefore, division is bound to occur wherever lies are upheld and truth is rejected. Upholding truth brings harmony and unity.

Jesus, also, says in the gospel, “I have come to set fire on earth, and how I wish it were already blazing.” The Sacraments and the word of God we receive are supposed to set us on fire in the same way Jeremiah was set on fire which made him cry out: “I say I will not mention him, I will no longer speak in his name. But then it is as if fire is burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding back, I cannot endure it!” (Jeremiah 20:9). We can, therefore, see why detractors could not stop Jeremiah from proclaiming the truth.

The fire Jesus sets on us makes us the light of the world that cannot be hidden or put under a bowl. May we let our light shine so that our good works be seen and God be glorified (Matthew 5:14-16).

May no cloud of darkness overshadow your light. Amen.

May no evil wind blow out your light. Amen.

Let your light shine!

Let your light blaze!

Amen and amen!

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP