DAILY HOMILIES

Last Sunday, we learnt that bearing fruits requires that we change our soil. Today, Jesus makes us understand that even within the good soil, the enemy sows bad seeds as well. Could this be the reason why it seems God is quiet at the face of evil in our world?

And it is not the case that God is powerless to destroy the wicked, it is rather the case that God is giving us ample time to repent. Before you ask God to kill anyone you consider wicked, why not ask: “Have I killed my own wickedness?”

Most often, we think of “mercy” as forgiveness we show to those who offend us. From our readings today, we learn that mercy also entails kindness, compassion and understanding shown to people who (in our eyes) deserve punishment of some sort.

Whenever your heart is not at rest or life gives you a bitter pill to swallow; the only thing you need is Jesus. Jesus says: “Come to me; come and see me, come let’s talk.” In other words, go down on your knees and pray!

One unique characteristic of infants is that they easily believe what you tell them. In other words, they are willing to learn and would hardly claim to know more than their teacher. To be an infant in God’s eyes is to humble oneself completely before God.

Jesus is obviously disappointed with the cities in which many of His miracles had taken place. They were so happy to receive miracles but were not willing to give back to Jesus by giving up their sinful ways. They had faith strong enough for signs and wonders but lacked faith powerful enough to ensure their repentance from sin.

Like these guys who became lions for convenience (to get paid), many Christians today wear their Christian identity like a costume. We offer prayers and attend crusades hoping to receive all the best things in life from God yet we continue to reject God by our sinful choices.

According to the book Hebrews, the word of God is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit.” (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God, unlike any human word, is fully alive.

Fear can actually be a tool of the enemy in preventing the labourer from advancing in the rich harvest of God’s kingdom.

After asking God to send labourers into the harvest, Jesus empowered the twelve disciples by giving them authority over unclean spirits, diseases and sicknesses but still, this wasn’t enough. One more element was needed: Wisdom.

Preaching goes beyond words. It is freeing people from the darkness and from bondage be it, ignorance, sickness, sinfulness or even demonic possession. Words are not enough. Actions are needed.

A labourer without energy or zeal is like a hungry farmer in a very fertile land; he has the seeds but cannot dig and plant. He needs to eat food in other to produce food for others.