DAILY HOMILIES

It is not enough to hear the Word of God; we must also practice it. Many of us only remember God when we need His favours, but we toss His commandments aside daily. Instead of living as lights, we blend with the world’s darkness. Instead of behaving as family members of Jesus, we act as strangers, like the nameless and faceless crowd that flocked around Jesus.

Today’s first reading highlights God’s active control over history. It shows that God can use even a non-believer like King Cyrus to accomplish His divine plans. If we Christians fail to let our light shine, God will raise “stones” – non-believers – to accomplish God’s plans. (cf. Luke 19:40). Isn’t it a shame that traditional worshippers are now making a mockery of how Christians dress to church? As God stirred the heart of Cyrus to let the Israelites return to rebuild their nation, God is calling you today to champion the movement for the restoration of the Christian identity in a world where Christians (and even the “men of God”) have quenched their lights. You are not too small to lead the change. A forest only needs a spark to burn. Be that spark today.

Jesus is teaching us first to think carefully like this steward of what shall become of us after our death (when we are relieved of our stewardship) and secondly, to use “what does not belong to us now” to be charitable to others so that, like this steward, we would be welcomed into Paradise.

We all experience various soils at different times in our lives. Sometimes, we are like the seeds on the road path. Sometimes, we hear God’s Word but respond with a stony heart. Sometimes, we let money (or other material pleasures) override our love for God. Let us ask ourselves: “Where am I right now?” That is, which type of soil defines my current spirituality? Once we answer this question, we will know what to do. Remember, the only thing stopping you from sainthood is yourself. Look inwards and make amends.

According to St. Paul, those who consider pastoral ministry a money-making enterprise “fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. The love of money is the root of all evils; through this craving, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. But as for you, man of God, shun all this.” (1 Timothy 6:9-11).

Jesus did not deny the fact that this woman was a sinner, but He was willing to forgive her for her act of contrition. To receive God’s forgiveness, we must first admit our faults. Stop pretending to be a saint when you know you aren’t; go down on your knees and beg for God’s forgiveness. Go and confess to a priest. Humiliate yourself before God, and He will lift you.

Be a good person; forget about trying to please human beings (avoid hypocrisy). Just as God fought for Joseph and many others like him, God will fight for you. Those who try to kill you by giving you a bad name will start speaking in your favour.

Just as in the case of Lazarus, Jesus spoke, and the dead obeyed. What does this teach us? There is no problem that is too big for God to handle. If the dead can hear and obey the voice of God, why should I give up? What began as a sad story ended up with songs of praise to God. They glorified God’s saying. ‘A great prophet has arisen among us!’ and ‘God has visited his people!’ This very phrase was part of Zechariah’s song of thanksgiving when his power of speech was restored after the birth and naming of John the Baptist.

If you agree that Mary carried Jesus in her womb for nine months and went through labour pains to have him, I do not know of any mother who would not feel a thing while watching her innocent son go through all of these. Whatever our present sorrows in this life may be, let us be consoled that we have a mother who was no stranger to sorrow and reach out for our rosary in asking for her intercession.

It was on the Cross that Jesus broke the bond that the devil held over humanity. This is precisely what Jesus meant when He said, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:32). It was on the cross that Jesus “finished” the devil and accomplished His mission. Far from being an object of pain, shame and ridicule, the Cross has become a powerful weapon against the devil – a reminder of how Christ, the stronger man, overpowered the devil and took away his spoils. (cf. Luke 11:21-22).

Practising God’s words is like planting a tree. The more you do what the word of God says, the more you become used to it. Your natural mode of thinking and acting aligns with God’s expectations. Hence, Jesus says, “A good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, produces good.” That treasure is a combination of good deeds which have been practised over a very long time. You cannot become a saint overnight. You cannot suddenly repent from sin; you must first erect a solid foundation through practice. The saying is true: “Practice (not words) makes perfect.”

One of the secrets of Paul’s success as a great missionary and evangelist was his ability to thoroughly examine his own conscience and admit his faults. In today’s first reading, St. Paul writes: “I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service, though I formerly blasphemed, persecuted and insulted him” (1 Timothy 1:12-13).