DAILY HOMILIES #church

Who amongst us would like to visit our community’s king in rags? Not to mention the Governor of our state or other high-ranking Government officials? If we strive to put our best foot forward in meeting human beings, what is wrong with going to confession and taking a bath before attending Mass? If we respect God, why do we make noise (engage in vulgar conversations), play with our phones or transact business inside the church?

Jesus did not just tell this story for the sake of entertainment; he passed on a powerful message by ending with the phrase: “Go and do likewise.” This final statement of Jesus was His answer to the question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” It is not enough that we hear God’s word. If we fail to do likewise, our hearing is in vain. Most of us like to think of ourselves as perfect candidates for heaven, but I ask you today: When was the last time you showed kindness to a stranger?

Just as new wine can only be stored in new wineskins, we can only call ourselves Christians when we are born again. To be a Christian is to live a new life. As St. Paul says, “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation, everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). You cannot be new wine in an old wineskin. You cannot continue the practices and lifestyle of persons who do not believe in God’s existence while claiming to be a Christian. You cannot serve both God and mammon. If you assume you can pretend, one day your “skin” will burst, and the whole world will know the truth. Be a genuine Christian, a new wine in a new wineskin.

Today’s Solemnity also challenges us to be the best version of ourselves as we strive to follow Christ’s footsteps on earth. Peter and Paul have long since passed away, but their legacies continue to shine. If they had approached their calling with the same lackadaisical attitude displayed by many Christians today, we would not be celebrating them today. Our time on earth is relatively short, but our impact can last for eternity. Live in a manner that the world would feel obliged to celebrate you long after you have gone.

If neither you nor anyone listening to you understands what you are saying, you are not “speaking in tongues”, you are not manifesting the presence of the Holy Spirit, you are simply speaking gibberish. St. Paul would say: “If, therefore, the whole church assembles and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?... If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God.” (1 Corinthians 14:23-28).

Watch out for envy in your heart. Ask yourself: “Are there certain people I don’t like just because they are good at what they do?” Celebrate the gifts of others. Avoid developing hatred for someone simply because they do not attend the same church or hold the same doctrines as you. They may interpret the Bible differently, but this does not necessarily mean your interpretation is superior.

The last line of today’ First Reading states: “Then they left the presence of the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name.” (Acts 5:41) The early Christian Church understood completely that following Christ meant denying themselves and taking up their crosses daily. (Cf. Mat. 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23). They succeeded largely because their love for God was not predicated on material prosperity but on the hope of eternal glory. They were willing to store treasures in heaven where moths and rust could not consume them and thieves could not break in and steal. (Cf. Matt 6:19)

The man did not recognise Jesus. He didn’t know that his creator was standing before him in flesh and blood. Instead of answering Jesus’ question with a “Yes” or “No”, he complained about his problems. This story teaches us that there is no single solution to problems. The man was hoping on the water, not knowing he could also receive an instant cure by God’s power.

The Pope is a manager and a steward of God’s flock, and every ordained minister is a servant of the souls entrusted to their care. Hence, our responsorial psalm today reminds us that “The Lord (not the Pope) is our shepherd.” Having reposed such enormous power on St. Peter (and his subsequent successors), Jesus, knowing that Popes will be prone to human weakness, added: “And the gates of hell will never prevail against the Church.”

Those who told John the Baptist that Jesus was now baptising were hoping it would make John the Baptist sad or bring about some form of competition, but to their amazement, John the Baptist was pleased to hear it. Whatever you do for your church, whether financially or physically, should never be about competition. It should never be to promote your name or your business; it should only be about increasing God’s kingdom.

Remember that song: “When Jesus is in the family, happy home, happy home…” When Mary and Joseph noticed that Jesus was not with them, they didn’t even sit down to rest till the next day. They immediately began a very tedious journey back to Jerusalem. Dear friends, it is not too late if Jesus is not in your family. Thank God you are now in Jerusalem. Please, as you leave today, take Jesus with you.

The word Advent means “coming.” Who and what is coming? Our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, we celebrate two types of “coming” at Advent: the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh (commemorating the Virgin birth of our Christ) and the second coming of Christ at the end of time. During the season of Advent, we think of the events leading up to the birth of Christ, but we also remind ourselves that Christ will come again and that this whole world will soon end.