Instead of Worry, Pray

Rev. Marcel Divine Okwara CSsR

Homily for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

St. Gerard Majella Catholic Church

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

October 2, 2011

Have there been times in your life when things were so overwhelming that you could not sleep at light? Have there been times when you were overwhelmingly occupied with a problem that you were not able to function effectively well? Have there been issues in your life that dominated your thought? You thought about them all morning, all day, and all night, and sometimes you were lost in thought? If you have experienced any of these, then you have known worry and anxiety. 

Now, worry and concern do not mean the same thing. There is a difference between the two. Concerned leads to action. Worried is a dead-end street. Worry leads to no where good. When people are concerned about retirement, saving for their children’s college, buying a new house or a new car, they usually begin to make plans for them. When people are concerned about their health, they usually do something about it like eating more healthy and trying to exercise more regularly. When parents are concerned about their children, they begin to get more involved in their lives, devoting more time to them and exposing them to the way of the Lord. But it is when these concerns begin to consume and dominate us totally that we crawl and slip into worry and anxiety. If the concerns of life are dominating us totally, affecting our relationship with God and others negatively, and affecting our productivity at work, affecting our sleep at night, affecting us physically, emotionally and spiritually, then we have a big problem with worry and anxiety. 

In today’s second reading taken Philippians 4:6-9, St. Paul says, “Brothers and sisters, do not worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” In John 14:1-2, Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me...” In Matthew 6:25, Jesus says, “I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, and what you will wear...” 


Worry or anxiety is the greatest thief of joy, peace, good health and fruit bearing.

Sometimes we scorn people who tell us not to worry. We argue that it is easier said than done. We feel that those telling us not to worry do not understand our problems because if they did they too would be worried. But today, St. Paul tells us not to worry about anything, instead to pray about everything. Worry is worthless because it does not produce any good fruits. And if we don’t produce good fruits, Jesus says in Matthew 21:43, that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from us if we don’t produce fruits and given to those who produce its fruits. 

But why do we worry? Some people worry because they walk by sight and not by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “We must walk by faith and not by sight.” Some worry because they don’t really know the God they serve. Others worry because their service of the Lord is halfway. Those who are into an intimate relationship with Jesus have nothing to worry about. In that relationship they have come to understand from Jeremiah 32:17 that nothing is too difficult for the Lord. They have come to understand the promises of the Lord especially the one in Joshua 1:5, “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life....I will never leave you or forsake you.” They know that Hebrew 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.” (God made this promise 12 times in the Bible; there is one for each month) 

Dearest beloved, worry is worthless. It does not resolve any problem. It adds no moment to our life-span instead it shortens our life. Worry is a gravedigger. It digs the grave of those who worry too much. It is a quick race to the bottom. Worry is wrong because it focuses on the wrong issues. It keeps one’s attention on the wrong things. For instance, a student gets so worried about graduation party that he or she misses the joy that comes from the accomplishment of graduating. Some of us too much about the winter weather that we don’t enjoy the present weather. Some ladies worry so much about looking good that they are so absorbed with themselves and cannot even enjoy the company of those with them. Some of us worry a lot about old age that we don’t get to enjoy now that we are still young and kicking. We worry about death that we don’t get to enjoy the life we now have. 

Worry fuddles our thinking. Trapped in the state of worry, we often look at situations with a magnifying glass, which makes problems bigger than they really are. Worry makes our condition bigger than God himself. Why worry when we have a very big God? Do not worry about tomorrow, for God knows tomorrow. We don’t know what tomorrow holds for us, but we know who holds tomorrow. The one who holds tomorrow is no other person but our dearest good God who loves us with an everlasting love. Because the one who holds tomorrow is good and loves us, we have nothing to fear or be worried about. Since the one who holds tomorrow loves us incredibly, let’s set aside fear and anxiety and embrace hope, hope in God who loves and cares about us. 

Worry clearly shows one thing- a lack of trust in God. It is as a result of doubt. Even after talking to God in prayer, the worrisome person still feels that his or her prayer is not heard. Doubting God’s goodness and ability to save and deliver leads to worry and anxiety. This is why James 1:6-8 says, “But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” Worry is sinful because it demonstrates either God is not able and capable or God does not care. But Matthew 9:8 says that with God all things are possible. And 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your worries on him because he cares for you.”

Sisters and brothers, worry is a waste of energy. There is nothing productive about it. It is a journey to nowhere good. It hinders us rather than help us. Worry leads to fear and eventually paralyzes us. Worry is like a cancer; it gradually eats us the faith of the believer. It robs us of our happiness, peace and serenity. It affects our health. It causes ulcer, high blood pressure, heart problems, depression, crushing headache, colon distress and sometimes overweight. Worry makes it difficult and sometimes impossible for us to address the issues we should be doing something about. 

St. Paul tells us today to confront worry by prayer. He says pray about everything. There is no situation, circumstance or problem that cannot be brought before our loving Father in heaven. Rather than talk to self, let’s talk to God. Worry is talking to self; but prayer is talking to God. Rather than fret, talk to God. Instead of wasting sleep and rolling from one side of the bed to the other, let’s keep watch in prayer. Rather than waste your tears, pour those tears at the feet of Jesus. Instead of putting hands on the head and walk about anxiously aimlessly, raise those hands to God. Hold the hand of God. Grip that hand of love and care reaching out to you. 

Instead of worry, turn to God. Now turning to God does not eliminate all life’s problems. But by turning to God, worry is replaced by faith; anxiety gives way to peace; doubt is replaced by trust and confidence, and fear gives way to hope. With that we can confidently declare with Job and say, “I know my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25).

Obedience to the Lord makes us real Christians

Fr. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

St. Gerard Majella Church

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

September 25, 2011

Dearest beloved, in today’s gospel Jesus narrates a story that we cannot possibly ignore. It is a story of a father and his two bad sons in which one is better. It is a story that explains the general attitudes of some Christians towards the will of God. It is a story that points out the hypocritical nature of some Christians.

A father had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.” The first son replied, “I will not.” But after a soul searching reflection, he changed his mind and went in obedience to his father. The father went to the second son and gave him the same order. The second son replied with respect, “Yes sir, I will go!” But he never went. Now, it is important to understand that none of the sons in the story was the kind of son that bring full joy for his father. The first son was disrespectful to his father. In the Jewish society, the response he gave to his father wasn’t the kind of response expected from a loyal son. But what he lacked in his response, he accomplished through his obedience. He became the virtuous son when he eventually went to the vineyard. He did what the father wanted. The second son on the other hand applied courtesy in his response to his father, but ended up disrespecting him even further by not going to the vineyard to work. Courtesy without respect and obedience is worthless. The ideal son would be the son who who accepted the father’s request with respect and obediently carried it out. 

This gospel points out the two classes of Christians in the world. First, there are Christians who profess Jesus with their lips, but in their actions deny him. Their profession is much better than their practice. In the gospel of Matthew 15: 8, Jesus says, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” To such people the Lord says in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who calls me Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” These people will promise anything, express outward show of piety and fidelity, but their practice is nothing to desired about. Describing such people St. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:5, “They act religious, but deny its power that could make them godly.” St. urges us, “Stay away from people like that!”  

But there are Christians whose practice is bolder than their profession. Outwardly they are not pious and don’t appear to be religious. They look tough and hardhearted. But they are the ones seen doing acts of kindness. They are generous, honest, prayerful, just and upright. Some of them may not even be regular church goers, but they live more Christian lives than professing Christians. 

In today’s gospel, our Lord Jesus teaches us that making promises is not enough; we must fulfill the promises we make. Making a promise to do something for the Lord and for the Church is not enough. We must fulfill those promises. If we promise to do something, let’s do it. Promises can never take the place of actual performance, and fine words are never a substitute for fine deeds. The second son who promised his father that he would go to the vineyard to work, but never went had all the outward show of religion and outward mark of respect and courtesy. In his answer, he even called his father “Sir,” showing respect to his father. He showed courtesy. But his courtesy was empty since he  never did what he said he would do. True courtesy is obedience. The first son, though originally was disrespectful to his father, but won the respect and love of his father back by eventually going to the vineyard to work. 

Dearest beloved, the Christian way is the way of obedience, obedience to the Father through Jesus Christ. The Christian way is in performance and not in promise. Words are cheap; words can be deceptive. But deeds count more. Our relationship with Jesus is deepened by deeds of charity and love. What gets us divine merit is obedience and not professions. We are Christians because we follow in the footsteps of Christ. We are not Christians simply because we profess Christianity. Profession of faith is good, but it is not enough. Faith professed must be accompanied with charity. Faith professed must be demonstrated and lived out. Good deeds give life to faith. Good deeds demonstrate faith. Bad deeds and disobedience expose faith to ridicule. Christianity is a religion of profession and obedience, but more of obedience. It is a love relationship with Jesus which must give birth to obedience. In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” 

In our Christian journey, we may have made many promises to God. Today, let’s review those promises and see if we have kept them. If we have not kept any of them, we have another chance to fulfill them. 1 Samuel 15:22 tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ is what makes us faithful and actual Christians. Nominal Christians only make promises and professions but never lived them out. Faithful and real Christians live out the professions they make and honor the promises they make. 

If we live for Jesus Christ, death would be a gain

Fr. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

St. Gerard Majella Parish

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

September 18, 2011

The Gospel contains some amazing paradoxical statements made by Jesus. For instance, in gospel of Matthew 20:16, which is part of today’s gospel reading, Jesus says, “Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” In Matthew 23:11, he says, “The greatest among you must be your servant.” And in Luke 17:33, the Lord says again, “Whoever tries to keep his life will loose it, and whoever loses his life will save it. Many years later, St. Paul in Philippians 1:21 issued another paradoxical statement, “For me, to live is Christ Jesus, but to die is gain.”

St. Paul was in prison in Rome awaiting trial when he wrote those words. He had been in jail before, but was miraculously set free by an earthquake. Now while in a Roman prison, he did not see any immediate release. He was facing an uncertain future- he may not come out alive. But despite his trial and persecution, Paul did not despair. He still expressed great joy in the midst of suffering. So, in his letter to the Church in Philippi, he wrote, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” If I get to live, that will be good because it will allow me to continue the work of preaching the Gospel; but if death is my sentence, it is gain for me. St. Paul was very strong in affirming that death wouldn’t be a bad idea since it would signal the end of his sorrow, suffering, tribulation etc and will be the genesis of a beautiful life in God. 

Let us understand one thing here. St. Paul did not go out of his way to wish for death. He did not call upon death to come. He wanted to live so that he could continue to work and preach among his friends. He wanted to live. He understood that life is a gift of God. But he was in prison and potentially could be killed. If given the chance to live, he would take it for the sake of the Gospel; but if otherwise, he counts it as gain altogether. This is exactly what he said, “If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.” As far as St. Paul is concerned, there is no difference between life and death. In his mortal life, he lived it for Jesus alone. And if the enemies of the Gospel put him to death, he says, “It is not a loss but gain.” St. Paul understood that Jesus Christ is the Lord of life and the Prince of resurrection. He understood clearly that life lived for Jesus Christ would guarantee the gain of heaven. 

St. Paul says, “To live is Christ.” This means that our human life should be lived to serve the Lord alone. Life without Christ is crisis. Life without Jesus is emptiness and pain. Human life has no meaning if it is lived without the Lord. For St. Paul, Jesus is the beginning of life. From the moment he encountered Jesus on the way to Damascus, he had begun life all over again. From that very day, he knew that Jesus is the beginning of  life, the continuing of life and the end of life. 

From the beginning of St. Paul’s Damascus experience, he never looked back.  Everything he did or said is for Jesus Christ. The only thing he wanted and cared for is Jesus Christ. In Philippians 3:10, St. Paul declares, “All I want to know is Christ Jesus and to experience the power of his resurrection. I want to suffer with him and also share in his death.” Because his entire life was devoted to the Lord alone, St. Paul could say “To die is gain.” Death for St. Paul, was coming nearer to the presence of Christ. Death for him is entrance into glory. He would want to live in human body so as to continue the preaching of the good news. But  in prison, he realized that he may not come out alive. So, he declared that even if he dies, life would still go on in a much better place. 

In today’s gospel taken from Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus says to us all, “Come and work in my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.” Our God is a just God. If we go into his vineyard and work from morning till dawn, he would pay us a just wage. The work God has called us to do is to live for Jesus Christ. And the just wage he has promised us is the kingdom of heaven. Now those of us who have been working in the vineyard of the Lord from morning time should know that there are others who may join us in the noonday and even at sun set. When they come, let’s welcome them warmly and not give in to resentment and jealousy. Jesus has called every human person to “Go into his vineyard.” Some will come in the morning, others, in the noonday, and yet others, by sunset. Whenever any person responds to God’s invitation, let’s not threat them as outcastes, rather, let’s welcome them happily into the vineyard of the Lord. There is enough work for each of us. 

If we live for Jesus, we will live free of jealousy and envy. If we live for Jesus, our life will be a life of gratitude for what the Lord has given to us. If we live for Jesus, we will not be jealous of others, jealous of what they have. We will live appreciating what we too have. If we live for Jesus, we will not point to what others have which we don’t, instead we will thank God for what we have.  Jealousy or envy is a denial of what we have, a denial of what we have received from God, and a type of ingratitude. Haggai 2:8 says, “Silver and gold belong to God.” And God decides how he apportions all that to each of us. In today’s gospel, the laborers who came in the morning were angry with the Master and jealous of other servants who came later in the day to work just because the vineyard owner, in his magnanimity paid each of them the same amount. 

Heaven is the reward of righteousness and uprightness. It is God’s reward to all- both those who served him throughout their lives and those who encountered God at the point of their death. St. Paul was not among the original 12 Apostles that Jesus chose. He 2did not accept the Christ that walked the streets of Israel; but when he encountered the risen Lord, he was given the same power and favor like Apostles. He even called himself an Apostle. 

Instead of looking at others and what they have, let’s look at what the Lord has given to us and be grateful to him. Instead of envy, let’s be grateful. Jealousy breeds hatred, anger, resentment, bitterness and ultimately bewitches the Holy Spirit in us. St. Paul did not care about earthly riches. While on earth, all that mattered to him was Jesus. And if we live for Jesus, death would be union with God and reunion with our loved ones.

Father Marcel’s Bulletin Message for the 24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Though we live totally on mercy and forgiveness of God whom we easily offend often, we find it not so easy to forgive the offenses of our brothers and sisters. But in today’s gospel taken from Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus through the story of the servant whose debt was forgiven but then refused to forgive another servant who owes him, teaches us how disappointed God can be when we refuse to forgive those who offended us. Jesus, throughout the New Testament teaches us that a person must forgive in order to be forgiven. Anyone who refuses to forgive a follow human being cannot hope that God will forgive him or her. In Matthew 5:7 Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”  Remember, shortly after Jesus had taught his Apostles his own prayer (The Lord’s Prayer), he went on to explain what the petition: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” means in the prayer. According to Jesus, “For if you forgive people their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive people their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” This is further explained in James 2:13, “There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others.”

Dearest beloved, Peter like us wants to know how often he must forgive his brother when he sins against him. The summary of Jesus’ answer is- ALWAYS! The Lord wants us to forgive as many times as we are offended. Let me put it this way: Forgive everyone as often as we are forgiven by God. God forgives us all the time and keeps no record of our sins. Psalm 130:3 says, “If you O Lord should keep a record of our sins, who could stand?” God keeps no record of our sins. He forgives us as often as we ask him for forgiveness. Today, he’s asking us to forgive others as well, not just one time, but all the time. Forgiveness is given and received. Forgive today and be free!

When someone hurts us deeply, we have reasons to refuse to forgive. But then, there is a greater reason to forgive: since we too offend others and most unfortunately God, and are in constant need of mercy and forgiveness, we should give to others what we seek from others and from God- mercy and forgiveness. Bear in mind, to err is human, but to forgive is divine. To err is earthly, but to forgive is heavenly. To err is godless, but to forgive is godly. To err is worldly, but to forgive is blessedness. To err is weakness, but to forgive is courage and strength. To err is to be in the flesh, but to forgive is to be in the Spirit. To err is to be prodigal, but to forgive is to be Christlike.

Friends in Christ, you loose nothing when you forgiven; instead, you gain everything. Your ability to forgive even deep hurts shows the content of your character and your closeness to Jesus our Savior.

As we rejoice for the coming of our dear Bishop Robert Muench in our parish, who has come to install me as your pastor, I want to tell you that it is an honor and a privilege for me to serve you as your pastor.  And we pray that the coming of our Bishop will bring us many blessings. As for our dear Bishop, we heartily and warmly welcome you to St. Gerard Majella Parish. Thank you for coming!

Your Servant-Pastor

Fr. Marcel Okwara CSsR