DAILY HOMILIES #faith

For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:10). Asking, searching, and knocking require expectation in our hearts to be effective. Meanwhile, our expectations depend on the degree of our respect for God. Now, you can understand why Jesus “did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58).

Leadership is not easy, but there is a secret to being successful at it: PRAYER. As a man, Moses was physically weak; he had lost his youth. He couldn’t speak coherently and confidently (hence the need for Aaron). The success of his leadership prowess came from his constant meetings with God. Every good leader must have a tent of meeting with God. We are powerless if we are not in tune with God through daily prayer.

There is a distinction between seeking God’s intervention and testing God (i.e., asking for proof of His power). Jesus worked countless miracles in the Gospels, but He only attended to those who needed help. Jesus never worked any miracles to prove that He is God. For instance, in today’s Gospel passage, the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign, and in response, Jesus told them that only an evil and adulterous generation would seek a sign. The God who parted the Red Sea and enabled the Israelites to walk through it is still with us today. If you believe, you will see signs, but if you lack faith, no sign will be enough.

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.

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.

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.

Do not be carried away with sayings such as: “A bird in hand is better than a thousand in the wind.” As long as God is ignored in that plan, the so-called “bird in hand” will become a bone in your throat later. Our people have a parable: “If one rushes to put food into their mouth, they could easily put the food in their nose.” Although it is true that “heaven helps those who help themselves”, if such “help” involves sin, we are no longer helping ourselves but setting ourselves up for regret.

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.

Do you believe you can do greater things than what Jesus did on earth? Do you trust God will do whatever you ask in Jesus’ Name? Praying without faith is like running on the spot; you exert much energy but no movement. Let us strengthen our belief in the power of prayer, for it is through faith that we truly connect with God.

How Do We Turn Off The Worry-Machine in Us? Jesus answers: “Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms.” In other words, the cure for constant worry is faith in God. Remember that the book of Hebrews defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). To have faith is to be assured of God’s protection even when all you see with your eyes is danger. To believe in God is to be convinced that God sees and knows what to do regardless of your present circumstances.

By asking if the twelve wished to leave, Jesus was testing their commitment. Like the crowd, Jesus knew that the twelve did not understand the Eucharist, but He wanted to know if their faith was strong enough to withstand tough times. If you cannot endure the bad times, you won’t be around to enjoy the good times. If Peter had walked away from Jesus when He taught about the Eucharist, would he perform signs and wonders in today’s first reading?

Today, we celebrate two gallant soldiers of Christ, Saints Philip and James, who fought not with guns and armoured tanks but with righteous deeds and the proclamation of the Gospel. Philip and James fought to defend the Christian Faith to their last breath, willingly offering their lives for the convictions they held dearly. Philip was born at Bethsaida and started as a disciple of John the Baptist. After the Baptist’s death, he followed Christ. James, the son of Alphaeus, is called “James the Less” to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee.