DAILY HOMILIES #Abraham

Prayer is not one-way traffic. We ask God because we are His children, and by asking Him, we also declare that we live according to His instructions. Sin destroys our relationship with God. When we pray, we should have complete confidence in God. At the same time, our prayer must affect the kind of life we live. If we beg from God, we must not forget that others are begging from us; others who need our charity; others who need our forgiveness; and others who need us to intercede for them, just as Abraham did for Sodom and Gomorrah.

Countless blessings come to us when we are kind to strangers. Many have lost golden opportunities in life simply because they refused to help when they encountered people with genuine needs. Our help, however, must not be forced, pretentious, or come from a bitter heart. The story of Mary and Martha has often been explained in terms of the two types of spirituality (the active versus the contemplative). Still, beyond that, Jesus used this occasion to highlight the dangers of distraction and anxiety. Only one thing is needed: Seek first the Kingdom of God!

Dear friend, do you constantly complain about others? Or are you a Jacob who knows how best to take advantage of whatever situation may arise? When was the last time you asked for a blessing from your parents or an older person? Jacob did not complain about the time spent wrestling. He looked at the positive side. Jesus also did not say anything to those who criticised Him; instead, He focused on His Call; He attended to the crowds who were like sheep without a shepherd.

The ruler knew his daughter was dead, but firmly believed that Jesus had a solution for death. He invited Jesus to heal his daughter’s condition, much as one would ask an electrician to replace a faulty switch. Faith does not begin with the occurrence of a miracle. Faith makes it happen. Believe that no matter what you face, it is not beyond what God can handle.

From Jesus’ action in today’s Gospel passage, we learn that there are several methods of bringing people to repentance. With the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus was harsh and direct, but with Matthew and his friends, Jesus employed a different method – He won their hearts by eating and drinking with them. To his critics, Jesus said: “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

When the villagers saw what had happened, they were not grateful for the healing of the demoniac; instead, they were concerned about their economic loss. They begged Jesus to leave their neighbourhood, fearing there were more demoniacs within the community. They valued material riches more than spiritual wholeness. Like these villagers, we also beg Jesus to leave our spaces (family, work, school, business, etc.) directly and indirectly when we do not pray, do not keep God’s commandments, pursue sensual (indecent) entertainment, or even deny God’s existence.

When we fear God, we can rest securely knowing that He is the protector of those who place their hope in Him. We need not be afraid of danger when we know that God is with us in the same boat. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus was highly disappointed with the disciples because they panicked during a storm. “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). Whenever you begin to panic or expect the worst outcome in any situation you may find yourself, it is a reminder that you are gradually losing faith in God. To believe in God is to know that your life is in His hands and His plans for you are for your welfare.

Abraham did all he could to negotiate for Sodom and Gomorrah, and it was interesting to note that the Lord was willing to spare the entire city if up to ten righteous persons could be found in the town. This reminds us of salt. Only a small amount of salt is required to cook a whole pot of food. If the amount of salt is too small, the food will be tasteless. An entire city can be destroyed because there are not enough genuine worshippers of God.

Today, we celebrate the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, following the celebration of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus yesterday. The heart is the core of one’s being; it is where decisions are made. Hence, the word “heart” is used figuratively to refer to the whole person. Today, we celebrate Mary’s Immaculate Heart – we honour her as a woman who was preserved from original sin, firmly believed and cooperated with God, kept her heart pure and lived a sinless life.

To hope in God is to believe He can bring life out of what is already dead. Our hope is never based on our visible circumstances; instead, it is built solely on what God can do. This hope operates through the eyes of faith. Like Abraham, you may consider your body as good as dead, but let your focus be on what God is capable of doing. Don’t be distracted by your situation; look at God instead.

The rich man did not go to hell because he was rich; neither did Lazarus enter heaven solely based on his poverty. Just as there are many wealthy people in heaven, there are many who died wretched and are in hell. I may be poor materially, but if my heart is corrupt and evil (turned away from God), I cannot enter heaven.

Do not be discouraged by the weight of the crosses you carry in your Christian journey. Consider the Transfiguration as an encouragement from above. God is watching you. Moses, Elijah and all the prophets and saints who have walked this path are watching you. We prayed in the Stations of the Cross: “Difficulties remain difficult Lord, but I will not run away from them.” In the words of St. Paul “For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18).