DAILY HOMILIES #Mary

Today’s first reading warns against the “Jonah complex”—the reluctance, prejudice, or anger that can make us unwilling to share the Good News with certain groups or “enemies.” We must have God’s heart for the whole world. Similarly, Today’s responsorial psalm provides the ultimate goal of the mission, which is to ensure that the entire earth sees and praises God for His saving work.

This man, Luke, was a great writer and a trained physician. As St. Paul himself testifies in today’s first reading, Luke was right there with him in prison, looking after his physical health needs and assisting him in the mission. From the statement, “Luke alone is with me,” Luke must have also assisted with writing some of Paul’s letters.

Does it mean we become Mary by obeying God’s words? Yes. After all, how did Mary qualify to be God’s mother? She heard and obeyed God’s words; she agreed to do what God requested. If we follow God’s instructions, we also become carriers of God, and the happiness of Mary comes to us as well. There is nothing wrong with singing the praises of Mary, but remember that if we obey God’s words, we are just as blessed as Mary.

“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them, and he did not do it.” (Jonah 3:10). Repentance moves God. Just as God changed His mind towards the Ninevites, repentance from sin saves us from the calamities our sins attract.

Parents, it is time to rise, take your children and flee from immorality, corruption, insincerity, indecency, drug abuse, and other vices. How do we protect our children? Be a light to them. Lead by example. Stop teaching your children how to tell lies, how to cheat in exams or prostitute themselves. Secondly, spend time with your children. Please do not leave them at the mercy of helpers, domestic staff or others who may harm their spiritual and moral development.

If you agree that Mary carried Jesus in her womb for nine months and went through labour pains to have him, I do not know of any mother who would not feel a thing while watching her innocent son go through all of these. Whatever our present sorrows in this life may be, let us be consoled that we have a mother who was no stranger to sorrow and reach out for our rosary in asking for her intercession.

We are not celebrating Mary’s birthday because God chose her. We are celebrating her birthday today because she accepted God’s plan for her life. She said “Yes” to God. Like Mary, God will do great things in you and for you if only you would say “Yes” to Him; if only you would walk according to His Commands and obey His Words.

Humility is giving God reverence; it is coming to terms with our nothingness before God, our creator. Humility is channelling the praises we often receive from others to God as the source of our talents, our riches, and, in fact, everything good in our lives. It is ensuring that we do not take the glory that rightfully belongs to God. Humility is being able to give God thanks from the very depths of our hearts, not grudgingly, as though we are being forced.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians. Unlike the case of Elijah, Mary’s move into heaven is not directly documented in the Bible, but our readings at Mass today give us helpful clues as to what happened.

Leadership is not easy, but there is a secret to being successful at it: PRAYER. As a man, Moses was physically weak; he had lost his youth. He couldn’t speak coherently and confidently (hence the need for Aaron). The success of his leadership prowess came from his constant meetings with God. Every good leader must have a tent of meeting with God. We are powerless if we are not in tune with God through daily prayer.

Countless blessings come to us when we are kind to strangers. Many have lost golden opportunities in life simply because they refused to help when they encountered people with genuine needs. Our help, however, must not be forced, pretentious, or come from a bitter heart. The story of Mary and Martha has often been explained in terms of the two types of spirituality (the active versus the contemplative). Still, beyond that, Jesus used this occasion to highlight the dangers of distraction and anxiety. Only one thing is needed: Seek first the Kingdom of God!

Today, we celebrate the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, following the celebration of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus yesterday. The heart is the core of one’s being; it is where decisions are made. Hence, the word “heart” is used figuratively to refer to the whole person. Today, we celebrate Mary’s Immaculate Heart – we honour her as a woman who was preserved from original sin, firmly believed and cooperated with God, kept her heart pure and lived a sinless life.