DAILY HOMILIES #Galilee

Wipe your tears and tell yourself the truth. You are not the only one who has enemies. You are not the centre of the universe. Repent of your sins first, then leave everything to God. Jesus told us to seek first His kingdom, and everything will be added to us. (cf. Matthew 6:33). Your challenges are never an excuse for living recklessly. Be like Peter, Andrew, James and John in today’s Gospel passage. When Jesus called them, they didn’t consider what they were about to lose; they believed what Jesus offered was of greater value. Put God first; live out your baptismal vows and trust that God has something great ahead for you.

Jesus’ arrival in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.” This recalls the star that guided the Magi to Jesus. To know Jesus is to be drawn to His light. If this light rests on you, you become part of it. Instead of darkness (hatred, bitterness, malice, animosity), you start to radiate love. In today’s first reading, St. John said: “This is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another.” (1 John 3:23).

When Jesus told the women to tell his brothers to go to Galilee, Jesus meant that his brothers should move from unbelief to faith. Dear friends, we do not need visas to go on a pilgrimage to this special Galilee. As long as we have hearts ready to welcome Jesus like the Galileans and truly believe, we will see Jesus. And not just that, we would receive our miracles.

A Roman Court official whose son was sick met Jesus, pleading that Jesus would go with him to heal his son. Jesus told him, "Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The official did not understand what Jesus meant by “unless you see signs.” He prayed even louder: “Sir, please come down before my child dies.” Jesus assured him: “Go; your son will live.” Without further questions, “the official believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way.” When the priest says, “Go forth, the Mass is ended”, consider these words as coming from Jesus’ lips. Go home joyful, hopeful and happy. Go with positive expectations.

Today, we celebrate the fact that Mary intercedes for Africa. When Herod sought to kill the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph took shelter in Africa. At a time when our continent is faced with turmoil and suffering under the yoke of neo-colonialism, we need Mother Mary’s intercession more than ever.

The Galileans received miracles not because of their location but because of their deep-seated faith. Jesus said to the woman at the well: “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him.” (John 4:23). It is not about your location. Are you worshipping God in spirit and truth?