DAILY HOMILIES

we cannot hide our real identity from the devil and his agents. We cannot pretend to be mighty Christians when our lives are full of hidden sins. Satan laughs at us when we hide under the shadow of pretence. It is human beings who need signs and wonders to be displayed in other to believe and it is human beings who can be deceived. Satan does not need any of that. He is capable of recognizing a true Christian from that who is not.

As Christians we all are called to bless; lift people up; elevate others; to make life better for people. Let it be that whoever comes in contact with you goes back uplifted, smiling, and more hopeful. All rules are aimed at uplifting life not making life more difficult for anyone. In fact, there is only one rule – Do Good.

Don’t get discouraged when things are not so good for you. There is always going to be light at the end of the tunnel. There will always be sunshine at daybreak. As the earth rotates about its axis and revolves around the sun, movement is always going on, things just keep changing, and nothing lasts forever, one day it will be your turn. Since the earth has not stopped moving, one day it will move in your favour, and things will turn for your good. Have Hope!

A priest is first and foremost a man like every other human being but with a special calling. Like Samuel, a priest is a human being who sleeps very close to the tabernacle and thereby hears God’s voice daily; a human being who listens and counsels like Eli, a human being who points out important things to people like John the Baptist in yesterday’s Gospel passage who said: “Behold the Lamb of God.”

What is the essence of being a Christian if, at the end of this life, we fail to make heaven (become saints)? Isn’t it better that we are not Christians at all? A mediocre (average) Christian is just as good as a non-Christian and sadly there are now too many of us who settle for average; we are neither hot nor cold. (Cf. Rev. 3:15-16)

The letter to the Hebrews, in drawing our attention to the importance of God’s words, says: “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden…” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

Faith is always visible. St. James would say, by my works, I will show you my faith. Faith without corresponding works is dead. In today’s Gospel passage, four men brought their paralytic friend to Jesus through the roof. Mark tells us that Jesus SAW THEIR FAITH. (Mk 2:5) Jesus also saw the faith of the scribes and pharisees who were questioning in their hearts. They were not bold enough to speak out but Jesus could hear their thoughts. We may participate actively in the church, sing and dance but God sees the inner thoughts going on within us. God knows whether or not we truly believe.

To be merciful is to have a heart of pity for others, a heart that feels the pain of others, a heart that wants to see them well again, strong, healthy and back to the light. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus, “moved with pity” stretched out his hand and touched a leper. Jesus didn’t have a hardened heart. The book of Hebrews admonishes us: “Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts… take care; brethren lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart.” (Hebrews 3:8-13).

As children of God, when we leave the Church, we are to realize that our time in the Church was a time of spiritual impartation. We carry something with us when we leave, something we cannot see physically yet it is real. More still, we even receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We should never assume we are empty. We should consciously take what we have received and reached out to the sick; those who cannot come to church; those who do not yet believe in God; those who are passing through some difficulty or another.

The letter to the Hebrews teaches us that God subjected everything in the world to us. “What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels, you have crowned him with glory and honour, putting everything in subjection under his feet. Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control.” (Hebrews 2:6-8).

Christianity as we practice it today needs to die and become born again. This death is concretized in the baptismal promises to which we respond “I do.” I reject Satan. I reject everything that Satan has to offer. I refuse to listen to Satan’s promises. I reject the glamour of evil. I reject any sinful habit. I walk in the light.

The wise men brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. This is Epiphany; a revelation of the identity of Jesus as KING, PRIEST AND SAVIOUR of the world. Jesus had not even started to talk or walk when this happened yet it is clear to the whole world that He is God in human flesh. He rules as King with gold, He sanctifies as a Priest with incense (which we still use today at mass) and as Saviour of mankind, Jesus’ body would be preserved with myrrh when he offers his life for our salvation.