DAILY HOMILIES

A simple way to understand infallibility is to reflect on the incarnation. While Jesus remained God, He humbled himself to the point of taking our weak human nature. In the same way, while Jesus remains the owner and builder of the church, He is incarnated in the person of the Pope.

Noah preached repentance for one hundred years; only his immediate family agreed to enter the Ark, but Jonah preached for three days, and he succeeded in bringing a whole nation to its knees. What was special about Jonah’s preaching, and why was it extremely effective?

Prayer is not a recital. There is nothing wrong with using structured (already-made) prayer. Jesus gave us one in today’s Gospel passage. However, in using a prayer book, our job is not merely to read out the words but to communicate with the words.

There is only one criterion for entering paradise: kindness to the least person (the smallest, weakest, poorest, youngest, unimportant), the poor, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the homeless, the sick, and the imprisoned.

No matter what your past has been, you can begin anew. Today is your last chance. Today is the day you repent, return and renew your covenant with God. Today is when you examine your conscience and introspect how well you have been living your baptismal commitments.

Fasting is not merely a deprivation from food but our active love and concern for others. While our first reading today emphasises the corporal works of mercy (feeding the hungry and attending to people’s physical well-being), our Gospel passage considers the spiritual works of mercy (showing care and concern for sinners).

Avoid following the crowd. Your fasting should be between you and God. Am I fasting because it is fasting season (or because I see others fasting)? What exactly do I hope to achieve by my fasting? Don’t fast if you have no prayer intention (purpose), lest you constantly check the time. This is self-deception.

God who made you without your cooperation will not save you without your cooperation. God will never force His way on us. It will always be up to us to decide what becomes of us through our daily choices.

If you are alive today and can read or listen to this message, God has given you another chance. It is not too late to return with all your heart to God.

"Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his desire.” (James 1:14). In other words, the devil that we often accuse of causing temptations lives within us (in our minds). This ‘devil’ that we carry everywhere is called desires. We tempt ourselves with our desires.

Every time you face trials, know you are on the verge of a breakthrough. Something great is coming your way; you only need to pass this test. Trials are like promotion examinations we write before moving higher. St. James says: “Count it all joy when you meet various trials.”

From a spiritual perspective, we may define leprosy as a sin, given that it is not only deadly but also highly contagious. Hence, Jesus warned: "Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come!"