DAILY HOMILIES #teaching

Be kind to people based on their needs, not their skin colour, state of origin, language, or tribe. The Samaritan went out of his way to help this man even though it was forbidden for a Samaritan to associate with a Jew. Jesus wants us to be kind, especially to those who hate us, those who practice a different religion, and those who may never repay our love.

This woman shed tears because she regretted her past life (she had a bad reputation). This is the correct attitude we must have when we confess our sins in the Sacrament of Penance. This woman did not speak but used her tears to confess her sins. She was truly sorry, and in the end, she was forgiven for her sins.

What did Jesus tell us to do when a brother sins against us? Did he say we should write an article on social media or make a video post condemning the brother? Jesus said: “Meet him alone. If he refuses to listen, take one or two others with you. “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:17).

God’s kingdom does not operate like our human empires where might is right, where the poor, the weak, and the little ones are trampled underfoot. The principle of greatness before God is not how much money you have or what you have achieved in life. No. The principle of greatness in God’s sight is humility and service. Jesus says: “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

Jesus is not trying to monetise God’s kingdom (after all, no money is enough to buy heaven). Rather, in these parables, Jesus is restating the first commandment: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, cf. Mark 12:29-30, Matthew 22:37 & Luke 10:27). To love God with all of one’s heart, mind, soul and strength is to sell off anything capable of occupying your heart, mind or soul. In other words, do not let your possessions or earthly pursuits take the place of God in your life.

Prayer brings joy; it is both spiritual and therapeutic. Prayer helps to offload your burdens, calm your nerves and relieve your fears. Appreciate prayer because it can bring you the things you desire and because prayer (itself) is good for you. If a problem shared is a problem half-solved, prayer is sharing your problems with the only person who can truly solve them.

We are used to hearing: “Love your neighbour as yourself” or “Do to others what you want done to you”, but in this case, Jesus wants us to love others as He loved us; he wants us to offer our lives for one another as He did on the Cross of Calvary. This is the basis of abiding by Jesus – sacrificial love.

As a worker in any field, pay attention to your spiritual life and do not depend solely on your human efforts and skills. Jesus tells us today: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.” Listen to Jesus daily. Obey God’s commandments. Do not worship money.

Be good, not for the sake of attracting the applause of people but for God’s sake. As long as you desire to serve God, be prepared for attacks and tests (Cf. Sirach 2:1). Do not be a mediocre Christian lest you fail when tested, and then you become a laughing stock of those who do not believe that good people are still in existence.

Be good, not for the sake of attracting the applause of people but for God’s sake. As long as you desire to serve God, be prepared for attacks and tests (Cf. Sirach 2:1). Do not be a mediocre Christian lest you fail when tested, and then you become a laughing stock of those who do not believe that good people are still in existence.

Why did Jesus insist we should invite the poor? They cannot repay us. If we invite our friends and relatives to our parties, they will pay us back by either giving us money or inviting us to their parties. Jesus wants us to invite those who cannot pay us back so that our reward will come from God. “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.”

The moment we see ourselves as better than others, we start going down. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus, having put the Pharisees to shame by healing a man with dropsy, taught us a lesson in humility. Jesus described pride as taking a seat at the high table (when invited for a ceremony) only for the host to politely ask you to step down for a more important guest.