DAILY HOMILIES #Jesus

In Zacchaeus, we see a “Prodigal Son” whose conscience spoke to him. After hearing about Jesus, he desired to see him, but considering his height, he climbed a tree. The prodigal son knew he no longer deserved to be in his Father’s presence, so he chose to appeal for the position of a slave in his father’s house. Like Zaccheaus, we have all sinned against God, and we have various physical and spiritual defects (such as bad habits we struggle with). However, Jesus wants to see our efforts. What am I doing to make up for my deformities?

Like falling in love, the beginning is usually very sweet; you think about the person all day, and you are ready to do anything for them, but as time passes, familiarity creeps in, the fire goes out. Upon conversion to the faith, the Ephesians must have begun many devout practices pleasing to God, but over time, these practices faded away.

Daniel was talking about the brightness of good deeds: our holy life, our love for one another, our rendering of help to the needy, our genuine worship of God, our faithfulness to sound Christian living, etc. These good deeds are lights amid the darkness of sin enveloping our world today. If we don’t start shining now, we will not shine when we die.

Faith will keep you going despite the failures you encounter. Edison believed in his vision, and even when he failed repeatedly, he wouldn’t stop. This is the kind of faith we need in God – a faith that continues to believe regardless of our failures or disappointments. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus uses the parable of the woman and the unjust judge to teach us the need for persistence in prayer.

Again, the fact that “everybody is doing it” does not mean that God is not offended by it. Do not take God’s mercy for granted. Jesus says that on that day, many would go about their daily routines, eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building, and so on, and judgment would happen like a surprise. Then, we would all face the consequences of our actions.

The benefits of giving thanks are uncountable. People may say: “Don’t mention,” or “Stop thanking me”, and so on, but the truth is that, deep within them, they feel super-excited that someone is showing appreciation. It is a basic human need to be appreciated by others.

Self-control or self-discipline is not something we acquire from the blues; it is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit; that is to say, self-control is one of the manifestations of the presence of the Holy Spirit in us. Hence, to be more self-controlled, we must pray constantly for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Rather than withdraw from God’s presence because your conscience disturbs you, remember that God is more interested in healing your wounds (sin wounds us) than punishing you. There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

You may have been born into a Christian home, received baptism as an infant, attended a missionary school, etc., but you must carry your cross to remain a Christian. If being a Christian does not inconvenience you, you are not behaving like Christ. If it does, silently carry your cross.

I recently heard the story of some soldiers who broke into a tea shop because it was a cold winter morning, and they needed something warm to drink. When they left, the captain left some money for the shop owner to satisfy his conscience. The soldiers felt they had a right to steal the tea since no one would dare question them, but the captain had the mind of Christ. He left money for the shop owner.

Why is it difficult to invite poor people to our celebrations? Why is it difficult to give a helping hand to people who may never help us in the future? Christianity is not about living a normal life; it is about being a “super-human” - helping people who cannot or will not help you when you need them.

Jesus was asked one question but gave two answers. He was asked, “Which is the first commandment?” but added the second. Why? Jesus knew that without adding the second, “Love your neighbour,” the first would be meaningless, yet the second is pointless without the first. As John puts it: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20). Loving God with all our heart, soul and might is not a matter of coming to Church it is rather a matter of loving our neighbour as ourselves.