DAILY HOMILIES #humility

When it comes to faith, there are always obstacles here and there, discouragement and stumbling blocks, but we must never give up; we must never say never until it is over - we must pray until something happens (P.U.S.H). Jesus told us: “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8) but He never gave us any time frame. Be Patient with God.

Why did this woman refuse to give up? What made her pass Jesus’ test? This is a woman who has suffered in the past. She knew that pride wouldn’t get you anything. Learn to be humble. Don’t interpret everything as an insult; you never can tell if the so-called insult is just a test. Maturity begins when you start seeing insult as education.

God’s kingdom appears mysterious, yet children can easily understand it. To the “wise”, God’s kingdom is hidden, but to infants, God’s kingdom is clear and simple. This is because God’s kingdom goes beyond logic. To make sense of God’s kingdom, you must be able to think like a child. No wonder Jesus said: “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17).

When James and John asked for these special seats, Jesus tried to discourage them by asking: “Are you able to drink the chalice that I drink, or to be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” Without asking Him to explain the meaning of the chalice or the baptism, James and John said, “We are able.” As the saying goes, talk is cheap, but actions speak louder than words.

It is believed that Mark was among the Seventy whom Jesus sent out two by two into the surrounding countries in Luke 10:1-20. As Luke narrates, the seventy returned rejoicing, declaring that the evil spirits obeyed their bidding. This is the same reality Mark conveys in the concluding part of his Gospel passage, which we read today. “And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by signs that attended it.” (Mark 16:20).

Dear friends, if we really want to live as God’s children, we must be prepared to suffer many hardships. There is always a bitter price to pay for goodness. However, in the midst of all that may come your way, bear in mind that God never sleeps. The same Joseph who was so unfairly treated would eventually become the Prime Minister of Egypt. It may even be that your own reward will not come in this life, but don’t give up, keep being good. Your efforts will never be in vain.

Those who told John the Baptist that Jesus was now baptising hoped it would make John sad or spark some form of competition, but to their amazement, John was pleased to hear it. Whatever you do for your church, 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.

During this season of Advent, we must continually purge ourselves of the corruption of pride. If God could bring Himself to our level to save us, how willing am I to come down to the level of my subordinates? How willing am I to acknowledge my nothingness before God, like the Roman Centurion who did not allow Jesus to come under his roof?

Prayer is never a one-way traffic. When we pray, we pour out our hearts completely to God, but we must also be attentive to His inspirations. The centurion listened to Jesus. He heard him saying, “I will come and heal him.” Most times, we don’t listen when we pray; our troubles weigh us down so much that we never hear God’s gentle voice, assuring us of His understanding and commitment to solving our problems. God has not stopped speaking today; we only need to be more watchful and attentive.

Why did Jesus insist we should invite the poor? They cannot repay us. If we invite our friends and relatives to our parties, they will pay us back by either giving us money or inviting us to their parties. Jesus wants us to ask those who cannot pay us back so that our reward will come from God. “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.”

Jesus is teaching us first to think carefully like this steward of what shall become of us after our death (when we are relieved of our stewardship) and secondly, to use “what does not belong to us now” to be charitable to others so that, like this steward, we would be welcomed into Paradise.

What makes a Christian different from any other human being on earth? Jesus Christ answers this question in today’s Gospel passage, and His answer is simple: LOVE FOR ENEMIES. You are not better than any sinner if you only love those who love you. Your Christian identity demands a higher attitude; that you love your haters as well.