DAILY HOMILIES #Jesus

In other words, demons cannot function without a host. They only possess a free heart (swept and tidy). If God occupies your heart, there will be no room for the demons. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8). We make our hearts attractive to demons when we expose ourselves to impure thoughts, wicked imaginations and other sinful acts. We are either with Jesus or against Him.

In the parable of a friend who needed help in the middle of the night, Jesus teaches us that even if God (like one who is already sleeping with his family at home) did not intend to answer your prayer initially, your persistence could make God go the extra mile (wake up his family) to help you.

In today’s Gospel passage, one of Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. It takes humility to ask to be taught how to do something, just as it takes humility to take corrections when people point out our faults. The Lord’s prayer appears simple, but it is also very powerful.

The “one thing” you need is to seek God’s kingdom first. While you search for your daily bread, live righteously; pursue integrity, justice, purity, and love your neighbour as yourself. Avoid sin and entrust your difficulties to God. Don’t stay up all night worrying. Do that which is within your power and leave the rest to God. God can change your story within the twinkle of an eye. He can turn things around as He did for Job. Don’t let your present difficulties push you to the point of cursing God.

Helping others is a command. If all we do is amuse ourselves and gossip about the misfortunes of others, then we are not truly Christians. Jesus played the role of the Good Samaritan when he became a man to live among us and die for our sake. We must do likewise.

When the seventy returned, Jesus offered a prayer of thanksgiving to teach us the importance of appreciating God. Do not develop an entitlement mentality. Refusal to give thanks leads to pride. You start to feel that, after a successful mission, you are now greater than others. Do you know what becomes of proud people? Mary said: “He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted the lowly.” (Luke 1:51-52)

To the one who opted to follow Jesus on his own, Jesus warned him: “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58). Surely, there are so many good things we get to enjoy for being Christians, but our worship of God should not be predicated on these things. We are Christians not because of what we stand to gain from God but because we love God. As such, even when we don’t receive anything or when misfortunes come our way, we must remain faithful.

Never let down your guard in the name of “enjoying life.” Without God in the picture, there is nothing like enjoyment. That is only beating around the bush. St. Augustine says, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in God.” If we ignore God in a bid to have fun, we only land ourselves in pain, sorrow and regret.

No one became successful overnight; even those from wealthy families were not always successful. There were moments of sorrow, tears and sweat. It gets very dark just before dawn. If God allows suffering in your life, do not say: “God, why me?” Instead, say: “God, help me to discover the hidden blessings behind this suffering.” Don’t think about your problems too much; some are lessons. Remember, God “has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

How do you hope to find peace after cutting a person’s life short? No amount of pleasure, luxury or thrill can deaden your heart to the pangs of guilt, knowing that your present “success” is the result of someone’s blood. Even Herod, king of Israel, never found peace after beheading John the Baptist. Herod silenced John the Baptist physically, but he couldn’t stop his heart from hearing John the Baptist’s voice day and night.

Matthew authored the first Gospel in the New Testament, which aligns closely with the other three Gospels and reinforces its authenticity. Composed in Aramaic between 41 and 50 AD, his Gospel aimed to depict Jesus as the spiritual Messiah rather than a militant figure. After Jesus’ crucifixion, Matthew is believed to have travelled to regions such as Parthia, Persia, or Ethiopia to escape persecution. The details of his death remain unknown. St. Matthew is recognised as the patron saint of bankers.

What made the workers who were hired first think they deserved more than those hired last? Did they not agree with the master to be paid a denarius each at the end of the day’s work? Why did they grumble at the Master after getting their agreed amount? They compared themselves to those hired later. Do you want peace of mind? Stop comparing yourself with others.