DAILY HOMILIES #Peninnah

That a man with a demon could enter the Synagogue should alert us to the fact that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” in the church is genuinely saved. Some of us are merely satanic agents, demons in disguise, intent on destroying souls. The only shield we have as Christians is prayer. Jesus commanded demons not just because He is God but because He was a man of prayer. A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian.

Wipe your tears and tell yourself the truth. You are not the only one who has enemies. You are not the centre of the universe. Repent of your sins first, then leave everything to God. Jesus told us to seek first His kingdom, and everything will be added to us. (cf. Matthew 6:33). Your challenges are never an excuse for living recklessly. Be like Peter, Andrew, James and John in today’s Gospel passage. When Jesus called them, they didn’t consider what they were about to lose; they believed what Jesus offered was of greater value. Put God first; live out your baptismal vows and trust that God has something great ahead for you.

Remember that song: “When Jesus is in the family, happy home, happy home…” When Mary and Joseph noticed that Jesus was not with them, they didn’t even sit down to rest till the next day. They immediately began a very tedious journey back to Jerusalem. Dear friends, it is not too late if Jesus is not in your family. Thank God you are now in Jerusalem. Please, as you leave today, take Jesus with you.

Hannah was willing to give something to God in exchange for what she was asking for. Her prayer was her vow. When we pray, we should not simply concern ourselves with what we are to gain from God; we should also be willing to give back something to God. Even in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus told us that we should not expect forgiveness of our sins when we refuse to forgive others.

Dear friends, let us examine our hearts. Are there promises you made to God when things were rough for you, yet long after God heard your prayer, you refused to fulfil your part? Do you even remember God when things are going well for you? Are you currently going through a storm? Don’t worry; storms do not last forever. Keep telling yourself, “This too shall pass.” Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.

Are there promises you have made to God when things were rough for you, yet, long after God heard your prayer, you refused to fulfill your part of the promise? Do you even remember God when things are going well for you? Lastly, are you currently going through a storm, don’t worry, storms do not last forever. Keep telling yourself, “This too shall pass.” Tough times don’t last but tough people do.