What kind of a Messiah Do We Expect?

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for Palm Sunday, Year B

St. Gerard Majella Church

April 1, 2012

Beloved in Christ, today we celebrate the Palm Sunday. Today we gather together to celebrate Jesus’ entry into the city of Jerusalem. Today we celebrate Jesus as the King who enters our own personal Jerusalem- our hearts. Today’s celebration is a momentary celebration of joy and triumph, because few days from now, the joyful mood will be turned into sorrow. Today we join the crowd to shout “Hosanna!” but few days from today, the same crowd of people that shouted “Hosanna” will turn around to shout, “Crucify him!” “Crucify him!” We pray we don’t join them. 

Have you ever ask yourself why there was such a dramatic change in the mood of the crowd of people in Jerusalem from Palm Sunday to Good Friday? Why the radical change from “Hosanna to Son of David” to “crucify Him!?” The same crowd that cheered “Hosanna” which means “Save us,” moments later jeered “Crucify him!” One answer among many others is expectations. When we are so excited and hopeful that our expectations are about to be fulfilled and they are suddenly dashed to the ground we are not only terribly saddened but also get angry.

The people of Jerusalem hoped that Jesus was going to be their long-expected Messiah, a military Messiah. They thought that God’s Anointed One would be like King David who would lead them to battle their hated Roman rulers, defeat them and give the people the freedom they had yearned for long. But when it dawned on them that Jesus was going to be a different kind of Messiah, one who was gentle and forgiving they perceived him as weak, and their frustrated hopes turned into anger, particularly anger at Him. They had hoped for a messiah who would adopt the philosophy of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” instead they got a Messiah who taught “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also...” (Luke 6:29). They waited and wanted a vengeful messiah but got a merciful one instead. They hoped for a brash, cocky and self-assertive king that will bulldoze their enemies but ended up getting a meek and compassionate one. They wanted a power-drunk, authoritarian and mean messiah who will show no mercy on their enemies, instead they got a Messiah who tried to win over their enemies with love. They yearned for a messiah who will give speeches and tell the Romans how bad they were, instead they got one who called them hypocrites and called them to repentance.  They wanted a messiah who will speak no evil of their land but got one who said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! (Luke 13:34). Due to these, they became disappointedly frustrated and  resolved to get rid of the “weak” and “powerless” Messiah they have got. They swore to kill Jesus by all means!

So, the question for us all is this: What do we expect God to do for us? What kind of a Messiah do we expect? And when God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want Him to, how do we react? Do we get mad at God? You and I may have seen people who got upset with God for not answering their prayers and thereafter turn and walk away both from him and from his Church. To such people, Judas is their model. But instead of asking what we want God to do for us, why don’t you and I turn the question around today and ask ourselves: What does God want me to do?

  

Late Pope John Paul II may be Declared Saint Soon

According to an AFP report on Yahoo 7 News, a second miracle attributed to late pope John Paul II has been reported, and he could be made a saint soon.

It said Italy's Panorama weekly, citing documents sent to the Vatican, reported that the miraculous healing occurred just weeks after Pope John Paul II's beatification on May 1 last year, which put him on the path to sainthood just six years after his death.

The first miracle attributed to the late pope was the healing of a French nun, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, who recovered from Parkinson's disease.

No details have been given about the second miracle yet, which was chosen from among four reported and documented by the promoter of Karol Wojtyla's canonisation, Bishop Slowomir Oder. Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi declined to comment on the report, stressing that only a decree from the Congregation could confirm it.

The magazine said the case was being studied by experts from the Congregation for the Cause of Saints and, if it occurred, could lead to the canonisation of the late pope within the next 12 months.

Many Catholic faithful want John Paul II made a saint as soon as possible, even me, I want my great mentor canonized as soon as possible. His life has remained a model and an inspiration for me. Blessed Pope John Paul II – Pray for us.

John 3:16: The Numbers of Hope

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year B

St. Gerard Majella Church

Psalm 8: 4 asks the question: “What is man that you O Lord should be mindful of him?” Job in the book of Job 7:17 asks: “What is man that you magnify him, and that you are concerned about him?”  Considering the vastness of the universe, why does God, as it were, chain himself to us? Jesus answers these questions in John 3: 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” 

Dearest beloved, today being the 4th Sunday of Lent, we are reminded once again of the greatest merciful act shown by God: “For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16 is a twenty six-word parade of hope. John 3:16 “is the alphabet of grace, a table of contents to the Christian hope” and the consolation of all. John 3:16 is the foundation of our faith.  It is the summary of our faith. It is the reason we are in Church today. John 3: 16 is the starting point and the ending point of our life. Due to his great love for us, God sacrificed his Son as a ransom for our salvation. John 3:16 says so!

There are so many beautiful verses in the Scripture, but John 3:16 is the reason why we have those verses. John 3:16 is the entire gospel in a nutshell. It sums up God’s nature, God’s plan and God’s intention. God is love. God is offering us redemption. God wants us to be redeemed. While we were still sinners and unlovable God reached out to us. He did not love us because we are perfectly upright. His love for us is a decision; it is not condition based.

God’s love is not conditional. It is unconditional love. But for us, our love is condition based. “O I love my car because it serves me well. It is a good car.” “I love that knife because it is sharp”. “I love Baton Rouge because the food here taste great.” “I love my dad because he gives me everything I want.”  “I love Beyonce because she is pretty.” “I love my son because he is obedient and respectful.” God loves us not because we are amazingly spotless or righteously perfect. He loves us out of sheer love; he loves us because he chooses to. This is the type of love that won’t let go its object of love He chose to love us despite who we are.  God loves us whether we are junkyard wrecks or showroom models.

In the Scripture, we read of Hosea who remained tied to his unfaithful wife Gomer. Despite the infidelity of Gomer, who was jumping from one bed to another with different men, Hosea continued to love her (This perfectly explains God’s love for us). Hosea’s love for Gomer is the type described in John 3:16.  God’s love is less affection, more a decision, less a feeling, more an action. Jesus did not love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. He emptied himself to us and for us!

Brethren, our goodness cannot win God’s love. Our sinfulness cannot lose it either. But we can resist it! God loves us with an unexplainable love. You cannot win it by being winsome; and cannot lose it by being a loser. But we may be blind to resist it. No matter what you have done and said, God still loves you. When the most despicable things are done, some people tend to think that they have lost the friendship of God. But you cannot lose the love of God. Our God has no needs, so you cannot wear him out. Our God is ageless, so you cannot lose him. Our God is sinless, so you cannot corrupt him. If He can make a billion galaxies, he can make good out of you. You cannot win his love by being winsome, or loose it by being a loser or a failure. But you can resist his love. 

To those who feel left out, abandoned and rejected, remember John 3:16. To those who are lonely and alone, remember John 3:16. To those forgotten in different corners of the world, remember John 3:16. To those who think that no one loves them, remember John 3:16. To the demoted and demeaned, remember John 3:16. When you are kicked out as Pluto was bumped out by a Committee of scientists for what they called “not meeting the solar system standard” remember John 3:16. When you are voted out because of worldly standards, remember John 3:16. If you feel excluded, just think of John 3:16. If past life is hunting you, remember John 3: 16. If you are carrying the guilt of the past, thinking that God is mad at you, remember John 3: 16. If you have lost everything including friends, remember John 3:16. To those who are greatly discouraged by what they experience and by what they see, remember John 3:16. It is the numbers of hope. It is the numbers of assurance and confidence. This love of God is amazing. He does not love you because of what you have done, and he is not going to un-love you because of what you have done. For God so loved you that he did not even spare the life of his only Son. If you are gripped by fear and uncertainty, remember John 3:16. Remember that FEAR is False Evidence About Reality. Instead of facing fear, why not face God? Face God because Jesus said he so loved you. Brethren this love of God for us amazes me, but it is real; it is true! This love explains why he sent Jesus! This love explains why Jesus came! This love explains why Jesus endured so much humiliation and a shameful death! This love explains why God claims you when others demote you!This love amazes me, but it is true and real!

The House of God: How does it look like?

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year B

St. Gerard Majella Church

Baton Rouge, LA, USA

March 11, 2012

In today’s gospel, Jesus confronts wrongdoing in a very significant way. He had just performed his first miracle at Cana in Galilee and needed to go to the Temple in Jerusalem to pray and to preach the Good News. On getting to the Temple, he was shocked to find that the House of God, the House of Prayer was no longer being used for worship and prayer. He did not find people in prayer. He did not see Levites and Priests carrying out their ministry. He did not see the choir rehearsing songs for worship. He did not find various ministries holding their meetings or fellowships. He did not see any religious activity in the Temple. Rather, he saw merchants, traffickers, money-changers, buyers and sellers, people who seemed interested in only one thing: amassing money. Jesus is never against the rich. He is not against business people. He is not against making money. But he was upset that the house of God was turned into a market-place. He was upset that the people he met there were not ready for any religious activity. Sellers were selling their goods, and buyers were also buying. Animals like oxen, sheep, and pigeons were being sold. The money changers were also wrapped up in their own business of changing money. When Jesus saw all these, he was so disappointed. When he looked at what was going on in the house of God, he saw cheating and deception; he saw lies being cooked and served to the unsuspecting people; he saw land-grabbers plotting to uproot and unsettle the widows. The Lord saw that evil and wickedness have entered the House of God. He saw that the religious leaders were drinking, toasting wines and getting drunk. He could not believe that the same Temple that took forty six years to build is now being abused and misused. The purpose and the sacredness of the temple were being undermined. If God’s house would be treated that way, what does it say about the people? Jesus was amazed at their irreligiousness and their lack of the sense of the sacred and mystery.

He came to the House of God expecting to see people in prayer, expecting to see people ever-ready for the coming of the Lord. The Psalmist in Psalm 84: 10 says “A day in the house of God is better than thousands elsewhere.” The beginning of the same Psalm says “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty.” For the people that Jesus met in the Temple, every day is business; every day is all about making money, thinking less of God and God matters.

Brethren, the temple of God is not only the Church building where we gather together to worship the Lord. We are the Temple of God. In 2 Corinthians 3: 16-17, St. Paul says: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him (or her); for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 6: 19 also says that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are the temple of God. The temple of God is not only the Common house of prayers, as a matter of fact, church buildings can be pulled down and destroyed. We can worship anywhere; we can worship in the outside, in the field, in soccer play ground, we can worship in a university auditorium. We are the temple of God! But if Jesus Christ should visit his temple- you, me and us, what would he find? Would he find us watching in prayer, ready to meet him? If Jesus visits his temple (which is you and me), what would he find? Will the Lord find us ready? Will he find us in the same situation he found those in today’s gospel reading? Will he find us buying and selling, merchandizing, getting busy with only the things of this world? Will he find us heavily occupied with our careers and professions and less interested in God’s matters? When he calls us, where will we answer from? What will be the state of our life? Will the Lord find his temple habitable, clean and decent? Or will he find his temple dirty, smelling of alcohol and hard drugs, unkempt, inhabitable, and disgusting? You are that temple, I am that temple.

May our Blessed Mother, Virgin Mary, who was so pure help us to keep our bodies, the temple of God pure and holy for God.

Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent, Year B

Listen to Him

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent, Year B

St. Gerard Majella Parish

Baton Rouge, LA, USA

March 4, 2012

Sisters and brothers, it is the transfiguration of the Lord. The gospel says: “Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart from themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white...” Then two great figures of the Old Testament- Moses and Elijah appeared and started conversing with Jesus. I wonder what they were talking about! But their appearance and the transfiguration of Jesus made the mountaintop a wonderful place to be. Because shortly after that, Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let me make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” The gospel said that Peter did not know what he was talking about. Yes indeed! He wants to make three tents- one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah. What about him, James and John? The man surely was carried away by the beauty of Jesus’ transfiguration and by the amazing presence of two of the greatest OT figures. 

The gospel tells us that Elijah and Moses are discussing with Jesus. I ask again, what were they talking about? Let’s look at it this way. Remember Moses was the supreme law-giver of Israel. He was the one that received the Ten Commandments. Elijah was the greatest of the OT prophets. He was looked at as the prophet who brought to his people the very voice of God. When these two giant figures met with Jesus, what did they possibly say to him? They said to him, “Go on Jesus!” In Jesus they saw the consummation of all that they had hoped and longed for and looked forward to. Moses and Elijah (representing the Law and the Prophets respectively) confirmed that Jesus is the Messiah. But their confirmation wouldn’t have been enough without that of the Father. The Father spoke from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” 

A Christian by definition is a follower of Jesus Christ.  She/he is someone who listens to Jesus because you cannot follow someone you are unwilling to listen to.  We are in the season of Lent. During this holy season, the Church emphasizes the practice of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. The Gospel reading on Ash Wednesday taken from Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18, Jesus speaks of how we should give alms, how we should pray, how we should fast. The Lord does not want us to blow our trumpet when we give alms as the hypocrites do. He does not want us to parade our prayer in public places just to get people’s praise as the hypocrites do. Jesus also does not want us to appear gloomy when we fast in order to tell people that we are fasting. He wants us to give alms. He wants us to pray. He wants us to fast. But alms-giving, fasting and prayer are not the goal. They are not the end. They are means to the end.

The Father wants us to listen to his Son. To listen to him therefore means doing what he has asked us to. In this case, we must pray, fast and give alms especially during this season. But as we pray, let’s remember that the greatest prayer is praying to be more like Jesus. As we fast or abstain, let’s remember that the greatest fasting and abstinence is avoiding sinful acts. As we give alms, let’s also remember that the greatest alms-giving is giving ourselves completely to Jesus. Jesus did not just give alms to the needy; he gave himself completely to all. Giving ourselves totally to him is the greatest alms giving. And the best decision we can make during this period is to decide to live better, and to follow the Lord wherever he leads us.

The Father declares from heaven, “Listen to him.” Listen to what my Son tells you. Listen to what he communicates to us through his Church. Listen to my Son if you want to live; listen to my Son if you want to be happy; listen to my Son if you want to experience peace. Listen to my Son if you want to be faithful to me. Listen to my Son if you want to have your life secured. Listen to my Son if you want to experience eternal bliss in the world to come. Obey my Son and it shall be well with you. We can fast for all we can, pray all the time, give everything we own to the poor, but if these external disciplines are not as a result of inward conversion and renewal, then we are wasting our time. We must listen to Jesus who says in Matthew 3: 2, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.” In Mark 1: 15, he says, “The time has come, the Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.” Jesus loves us so much and desires what is good for us. It is this love for us that drives him to cry out “Repent for the Kingdom of God is near.” Now this call to repent is a call to abandon sin because sin hurts. It takes away our peace and joy. Sin cuts us off from life and dries up within us the very source of our freedom and dignity. Let’s go of sin and let God in our life. 

The Father says, “Listen to him.” To listen to Jesus is to be a disciple of Jesus, and to be a disciple of the Lord is to walk with him to Golgotha. As we walk with him, as we talk with him, as we listen to him, our human nature is being transformed into the likeness of divine nature. By listening to him, we become more and more like the person we listened to. By listening to Jesus, we too can be transformed and transfigured. Our face too will radiate the glory of the Lord.