Rev. Fr. Evaristus Eghiemeiyo Abu

Our inner restlessness is not a result of a lack of material comforts, but rather a lack of a solid connection with God. Even though we gather all the pleasurable things in the world, make all the money, and become the most powerful persons, we would still be UNHAPPY if we lacked a connection with God. The best we can ever get away from God is a tickling of our senses, but genuine happiness is found only in God.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus is unhappy with Bethsaida and Chorazin because, despite the miracles in those towns, the people remained stiff-necked and refused to repent. Jesus was expecting a change of heart and a change of life to follow from the miracles, but the reverse was the case.

How do we tap into the protection offered by our Guardian Angels? One: Be conscious of their existence. Many Christians today are unaware that they have guardian angels. Hence, they nurse unnecessary fears leading to anxiety, depression and faithlessness. Some Christians are more conscious of the powers of the demons than they are of their God-given powers. St. John writes: “Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).

Whether we like it or not, we will all experience rejection at some point in our lives, as long as we live in a world where freedom of choice exists. So rather than avoiding rejection at all costs and becoming people pleasers (which is worse), we need to prepare ourselves ahead of time for rejection and find ways to heal ourselves when it occurs.

The sin of the rich man in today’s Gospel passage is not in how he made his money but in his indifference to the poor and suffering. The rich man had enough money to host parties daily and feast sumptuously, but he couldn’t help Lazarus. Lazarus was attracted to his gate in the hope of feeding on the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table, but sadly, no one gave him anything. One great man once said, “Evil triumphs in the world not because there are bad people but because the good people don’t care.” Indifference is a sin.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus speaks to his disciples about his imminent death, followed by betrayal, agony, rejection, and shame. Jesus’ disciples could not understand because they were taken over by fear. It was only after the resurrection that they came to understand what Jesus had been saying. You feel paralysed with fear now because you find it hard to imagine a better tomorrow; you still cannot see any light at the end of your tunnel, but know this: if Jesus rose from the dead, your trials will end one day.

While we must be concerned about the church as a physical building, we must remember that these words of Haggai also apply to our bodies. This is because we are the temples of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul says: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Ezra prays for the people during the evening sacrifice. Ezra wore torn garments, which symbolised contrition. Remember how the king of Nineveh tore his garments and sat on ashes upon hearing the warning of Jonah that Nineveh would be destroyed? God saw this and “repented” from the evil He had planned to do. In our Gospel passage, Jesus sends the twelve disciples into various towns and villages to interact with the people. This is the second dimension of priestly ministry.

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.

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.