DAILY HOMILIES #light

The message for you today is: “Rise.” Don’t stay down. Rise! Your sufferings are not a sign of weakness on the part of God. Keep trusting in God. Very soon, your eyes will see, and your mouth will testify that God never sleeps nor slumbers and never turns His back on His children.

We behave like Herod when we don’t let others shine. Whenever we hold on to power, even to the detriment of others, we act like Herod. We may condemn Herod’s action, but when we examine our conscience, we realize we have done worse than Herod in the past. How often have I felt so threatened by the success of others to the extent of doing all in my power to pull them down, get them out of the way, or even eliminate them?

The people to whom Isaiah prophesied in our first reading were a people in darkness. Isaiah prophesied that Christ, the world's light, would dwell in their midst and wipe out the darkness. The Angels announced this to the shepherds who kept watch at night: “For to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.”

Every sin in society today started with just one person. In the same way, our world would be better if we let our light shine if we play our role as salt of the earth. Just as only a little salt is enough to make food sweet, a handful of good people can transform our society. Be good, not just for your sake, but for others.

The best sermons are not preached not with words but with actions. When we behave like Christ, words are no longer necessary. The scandal of Christianity today is that Christians no longer behave like those believers in Antioch who were first called Christians. In Antioch, the believers were of one heart and soul; love was the watchword.

Is it a time for you to dwell in your panelled houses while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider how you have fared. You have sown much and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill

Anyone who hears God’s Word and puts it into practice is automatically a family member of Jesus. Regardless of your church, race, colour or nationality, you are family as long as you listen to and obey God’s voice.

When faced with a temptation, it will do us well to say this phrase repeatedly: “I am light; I cannot hide.” Indeed, as St. Paul says, the safest life is to “live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27).

Sadly, despite the diversity of churches, evil seems to rise in our society. Our real problem is hypocrisy. We are always trying to deceive people when we cannot deceive God.

Do not be a “Yes” and “No” person. Stop trying to serve two masters. Don’t be a “saint” in public only to become a “demon” in private. Don’t be a preacher of justice and fairness only to deny your employees of their wages. Don’t condemn corrupt politicians only to accept your share of their loot joyfully. Don’t say “yes” to God’s blessings only to turn around and say “no” to his commandments.

Like these women who were not expecting to see Jesus alive, many of us are not expecting to rise with Jesus from a life of sin. Many of us here are not expecting we would shine like this Pascal Candle. That notwithstanding, we must go to the tomb in faith not to anoint the dead body of Christ but to become witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus.

e remember St. Patrick today, a man who like Peter fully explored his spiritual potential making such a huge catch of souls in Ireland. We are eternally grateful to the Irish missionaries who evangelized our country Nigeria. Through one man St. Patrick, millions have been touched and many more continue to be impacted today.