DAILY HOMILIES #adam and eve

The moment Judas took the bread from Jesus and ate, “Satan entered him.” What does this mean? Judas was no longer on the fence; his mind was made up. Not even a morsel of bread (show of love) from Jesus could change his mind. The more I listen to the devil, the sooner I reach a point when I am no longer afraid of betraying God. At this point, I am more concerned about making more money (or whatever the devil promises) than loving God. I begin to act as one without conscience.

It is not easy to say “Yes” to God. However, once we say “Yes” to God, we become God’s instruments of salvation in our world. St. Teresa of Avila says, “Christ has no body now but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ looks with compassion on the world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.” God needs you to cooperate with Him.

In today’s first reading, Moses said: “Give heed to the statutes and the ordinances… that you may live and take possession of the land.” God means well to us by giving us the commandments. There is a reward for every act of obedience. Unfortunately, today’s Christians are more concerned about their discomfort than their disobedience

Jesus was about to begin his public ministry, to pull souls from the devil’s captivity; it was too much of a threat to the devil, and so he had to try his best to make Jesus change his mind. The devil was basically trying to make Jesus achieve glory by a shortcut; to jump from baptism straight to ascension, without having to go through the process of preaching, touching the lives of people, and especially the arrest, the trial, and the cross. (The devil knew that he would be finally defeated on that cross, and he tried to make Jesus jump over it). This is why, when Peter suggested to Jesus that the cross would never happen, Jesus didn’t waste time using the same words he used during the temptation: “Get behind me, Satan.”

Since our temptations come from our insatiable desires, the best way to weaken their power over us is to create new desires. After fasting for forty days, Jesus was hungry, so hungry that he felt like misusing His divine powers. Jesus resisted because His desire for our salvation outweighed His desire for food. How deep is your desire for sainthood? Whatever you hope to achieve, you must desire it passionately. You cannot fight sin unless you truly hate the object of that sin. For instance, we lie to ourselves, saying, “I will stop doing this” Meanwhile, whenever we see it, we secretly crave it.

Let us resolve this week to be new in thoughts, words, and actions. Let us strive to put sin aside and live a new life in Christ. Whatever represents darkness in your life should not continue this new week. Are you used to disobeying one or a few of God’s commandments? You cannot suddenly repent because you desire to; you must change the skin to accommodate the new wine. In other words, we cannot do the same thing and expect a different result. You must change your tactics; you must cut off any relationship or attachment that constantly pulls you to sin.

As soon as John the Baptist baptised Jesus, it became clear that Jesus did not come to be cleansed from sin. Instead, Jesus came to reveal (to manifest, to make known – epiphany) Himself to the world as God and as the second person of the Trinity. The heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, and a voice from heaven said: “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” Those who witnessed this event quickly recalled the passage from Isaiah (where our first reading today comes from), and it dawned on them powerfully that Jesus is not just anybody but God among men; the promised Son of God; the Saviour and Redeemer of the world.

Christmas is a time of visitation. As God visited us, we are called to visit (bring glad tidings) one another this season. Again, as God came to redeem us, we are called to redeem (assist, support, encourage, rescue, forgive) those who are down. As there are many parties and celebrations during this period, let us not forget that many are lonely, sad, hungry, sick, and hopeless. Some are even mourning their loved ones. Celebrate Christmas by spreading love, joy and hope.

Our world continues to experience the effects of individual and collective sinfulness. Today, the devil tries to make us believe God’s commandments are outdated, oppressive, or impossible to follow. Don’t fall for these lies. Following God’s commandments always benefits you. Societal values may have changed, but God’s words will never change. A sin remains a sin no matter how society describes it. The peace and happiness you seek can only come from obeying God. The devil has nothing good to offer.

Even after preparing Mary, God still allowed her to accept or reject His plan. Hence, He sent the Angel Gabriel to seek her consent by announcing that she would be His Mother. The fact that God has showered us with sure gifts and blessings does not remove our free will. God called you before you were born, but would not force you to say “Yes” to His call. God, who made you without your cooperation, will not save you without your cooperation.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes us as salt and light. We are supposed to lead the way, not lead others into darkness. Our lives should inspire goodness, not confusion. Do not tell a child one thing while doing the very opposite. If our behaviour encourages others to remain in (or even increase) their sinful lifestyles, we will share in the punishment. Ours might even be worse.

St. Paul says, “If you live according to the flesh, you will die.” This was the same warning God gave to Adam and Eve, but the devil convinced them that they would not die. Many Christians still do not believe they would die if they gratify the desires of their flesh at the expense of obeying God.