DAILY HOMILIES #prayer

Jesus consulted with God all night long. It was only after this consultation that Jesus made His selection; first, He chose twelve persons – a number symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel; secondly, all twelve persons were men; thirdly, none of these men was perfect – each of them had character flaws here and there, some will still not believe after many miracles, one would deny Him, and one would eventually betray Him.

We will be playing the ostrich if we deny that there are no demon-possessed individuals in our churches. Do not be deceived; it is not everything that glitters that is gold. It is not everyone who says, “Lord, Lord” that will enter God’s kingdom. (Matthew 7:21) It is not everybody you see in church who is there to worship God. Some go to steal, kill and destroy. (Cf. John 10:10). Don’t get caught off-guard.

This was now the second time the disciples were facing a possible shipwreck. Previously, Jesus was with them, but he was sleeping on a cushion. When his disciples woke him, he rebuked them for their lack of faith. This time, Jesus could see they were even more scared knowing He wasn’t with them in the boat, so He went to them walking on the sea. This was a lesson to the disciples, a proof that no matter how tough and challenging their journeys may be, they must never be afraid.

My brothers and sisters, have you written your will? If God were to demand your soul this very night, would He call you a fool or a wise person? According to St. Ambrose, “The things that we cannot carry with us are not our own. Virtue alone is the companion of the dead. Mercy alone follows us—and mercy alone gains abodes for the departed.”

There is a saying: “Do not spend your health trying to make money because all the money in the world cannot buy back your health.” Similarly, we can say: “Do not spend your soul trying to gain the world because all that the world contains cannot buy back your soul.” Never get so busy that you do not have time for personal prayer and daily examination of conscience (which is the act of checking up on your soul)

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.

Prayer is not one-way traffic. We ask God because we are His children, and by asking Him, we also declare that we live according to His instructions. Sin destroys our relationship with God. When we pray, we should have complete confidence in God. At the same time, our prayer must affect the kind of life we live. If we beg from God, we must not forget that others are begging from us; others who need our charity; others who need our forgiveness; and others who need us to intercede for them, just as Abraham did for Sodom and Gomorrah.

Jesus taught us a short prayer in our Gospel passage. This prayer does not use repeated/empty phrases. It gives God His due praise and glory. It begs God; it does not issue commands. It is a prayer of commitment in that it asks of God and tells God what you will give to Him. When you pray the Lord’s Prayer, you ask for your daily bread; you also promise to forgive those who sin against you. Do not be too focused on taking from God when you pray that you forget to give back to God.

As Christians, we are constantly the subject of hatred by wolves who pretend to love us. Jesus does not pray that we should be taken out of the world. Jesus prays that we should be protected from the evil one. Even though we wrestle against principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12), we are assured of God’s protection. We do not wrestle as victims but as victors, because Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33).

Watch out for envy in your heart. Ask yourself: “Are there certain people I don’t like just because they are good at what they do?” Celebrate the gifts of others. Avoid developing hatred for someone simply because they do not attend the same church or hold the same doctrines as you. They may interpret the Bible differently, but this does not necessarily mean your interpretation is superior.

While addressing the believers, Peter said: “Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas… His office let another take.” (Acts 1:16 & 20). In other words, the office is indispensable, but the office holder can be replaced anytime. No matter the position you occupy, there is someone who can take your place and even do a better job. Please do your best, but take it easy; no matter how good you are, you cannot be there forever. As Matthias was elected to the office once held by Judas Iscariot, all other apostles were eventually replaced by others.

I praise the courage of Peter, who spoke on behalf of the apostles: “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, WHOM YOU KILLED by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:29-31).