The Four Types of People in Church

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

St. Gerard Majella Church

July 13, 2014

In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23), Jesus used a familiar picture to tell a story; he used the here and now to describe the there and then. He used the already of God’s Kingdom to tell the not yet of God’s Kingdom. He used the image of a sower to narrate what he and subsequent preachers of the message are going to do, how the people of his generation and beyond would receive and react to it, and how everything will eventually end up. A sower went to his farm to sow seeds. As he moved up and down spreading and sowing his seeds, some seeds fell on the path and were eaten up by some hungry birds. Some fell on rocky ground, where they had little soil, as such, they sprang up immediately. But when the sun arose, they were scorched and killed because they lacked support and foundation. Some of the seeds fell among thorns, and as the thorns grew up, they choked the seeds. But the sower’s effort and industry was not all a futile one. Some of his seeds fell on good, rich soil, as such, they germinated well, grew up healthy, and produced bountiful fruits. 

The seeds that fell on the path are Christians who go to church every weekend but the church never goes into them. They go to church with their minds shut against the life-changing word of God. Pride, prejudice and fear prevent them from hearing the truth. A prejudiced mind rejects everything it does not want to hear; a proud heart thinks it knows everything and does not need any further instruction; a fearful mind does not want to hear something new that condemns the things it loves and does. Churchgoers like this remain on the path, on the side-way and never gain entrance to enjoy the rich and good soil of the Kingdom of God. They bear no good fruit.

The seeds that fell on a rocky ground but were scorched and killed by the sun due to lack of soil support describe Christians who hear the word of God, receive it with great joy, but then fall away when tempted, tested and persecuted. These are Christians who want the crown but not the cross. These are consumerist Christians who believe that accepting Jesus will mark the end of struggle and suffering. They are myth and fantasy centered believers. They believe in fantasy Christianity. They want to live the kind of life that Jesus, our Master never lived. To such Christians, every inconvenience, no matter how small, is a reason not to go to Church or be involved in the life of their church. When they pray at all, they do so telling God what they want, what he has not done and never thank him for what he has done for them. And Christians like this never finish any project they start; once it becomes difficult, they abandon it. Some people’s lives are littered with projects they started and never finished. But those who quit when it gets tough never win. 

The seeds that fell among thorns but were choked up as the thorns grew describe Christians who have so many interests in life that they forget the most important thing. Jesus says they are “the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit (Matthew 13:22).” Such Christians become too busy to go to church, too busy to pray, too busy to read the Bible, too busy to volunteer for anything in the church, too busy join any ministry. They are so engrossed in the things of this world, so absorbed and engaged with their businesses that they have no time for God, the church or anyone else. The cares of the church is never their cares. Their business can take a firm hold of them that they are too tired or unconcerned about anything else. The fleeting things of this world crowds their hearts and finally crowds Jesus out. The momentary lures of this world exclude them from everybody and also excludes them from God. 

Glory be to God! There are some seeds that fell on rich and good soil and produced bountiful harvest. These are Christians who accept the word of God with an open mind. They are not too proud to listen and to obey. They never assume to know it all. They are attentive to the word of God and accepts it even when it condemns what they love to do. These are the fruit-bearing Christians who understand that it is not enough to show up in church, that the church must show up in them. In the house of God, they are the ones using their talents, time and treasure (money) in the building up of God’s house. They continuously give and never get tired of giving. They use their talents in the service of the church by reading at Mass, giving out communion, singing in the choir, welcoming members and visitors, teaching catechism etc. They use their time visiting the sick and homebound, cleaning and polishing the church and its environs, and involving in repairs. They offer their treasures generously to the church. They understand that their church has bills to pay and needs money to remain operational. They understand that giving to their church is part of their responsibility and obligation. Their generous contributions and donations to the church is seen as money well spent, as money given to God and as part “of storing up treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20). 

Where type of seed are you?

You Are Invited!

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

St. Gerard Majella Church, Baton Rouge, LA

July 6, 2014

In today’s Gospel taken from Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am weak and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” This invitation is for those who are exhausted with the search for the truth, with the search for God. There is a growing number of people in our society today who deny the reality and the existence of God. They proudly argue that there is no God. Some of them claim that they sought for God but did not find him. Some say that they prayed to God and he did not answer. Yet, others said they wanted to see him but he did not show up. But Jesus tells us today that the endless and weary search for God ends in himself. To have an encounter with Jesus is to have an encounter with God. In the Gospel of John 14:9, the Lord says that “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” God gives himself to the pure of heart, and he asks nothing from us but our attention. Searching for God in a scientific laboratory is a wild goose chase. Trying to picture God in our minds is a wild goose chase. But by giving attention to Jesus Christ, we can find God. 

Are you desperately searching to find God? Are you urgently trying to be better than you currently are? Are you trying to change and reform your lifestyle? Is there any habit you've been trying to eliminate but it still clings on you and you are almost given up or driven to despair? Are you spiritually hungry? Do you experience some kind of emptiness in you? Are you worn out, burned out from the hustle and bustle of this world? Are you tired of getting tired? Are you worn out of getting worn out? Are you sick of becoming sick? Has life become tasteless, flavorless and bland? Have you lost interest in life itself? Do you feel stagnant in your life? Do you feel trapped and somewhat lock-up in the circles of life? Has joy, perfect joy eluded you? Are you worried and troubled by your failing health, financial situation, marriage/relationship, and the state of your family? Do you feel helpless and incapable to cope with everything that is happening in your life? Do you feel cornered by a chain of events that tend to sink you deeper into a situation and you are not able to see an escape route? Are you depressed and despondent because of the turn of events in your life? Are there times when you are driven crazy with feelings of guilt, shame, helplessness and confusion? Are you presently asking yourself what on earth God is doing in heaven that he cannot send help to you? Are you weary, weak, burdened, vulnerable and fragile? Then, Jesus is speaking to you today! 

Each one of us has one problem or another. There is no one with a perfect life, not even the Pope, or a billionaire has an uninterrupted, altogether perfect life. So, since there is no one with a problem and burden free life, it is appropriate to always sit at the feet of the Lord and hear his invitation, “Come to me!” If you are tired of carrying that burden, Jesus is gently inviting you, “Come to me… and I will give you rest.” 

Jesus also invites us to take my yoke upon you and learn from me. He tasks us to take his yoke upon our shoulders. A yoke is a wooden beam normally used between two oxen or other animals to enable them pull together a load when working together. A yoke brings two animals into submission to do the work their owner wants them to do. Jesus is inviting us to accept his yoke. He says “My yoke is easy.” The Greek word for “easy” can mean “well-fitting.” So, what the Lord is basically saying is “My yoke fits well.” That is, the life I give you is not a burden to hinder you. Whatever God sends to us is made to fit our needs and abilities. God will never give you more than you can handle. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, St. Paul says, “Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm, at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.” Jesus also says that “My burden is light.” This does not mean that the burdens of life are easy to carry. It does not mean that trials, pains and sufferings of life are easy to carry. It means that whatever trials the Lord allows us to experience is laid on us in love. We are to carry them in love, and love makes even the heaviest burden light. 

May you find rest and peace in God!

Not Doubting, but Believing Thomas

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily on the Feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle

Thursday, July 3, 2014

St. Gerard Majella Church

Today, Catholics all the world celebrate the feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ. The poor St. Thomas, has oftentimes been branded and tagged as “Doubting Thomas” ever since he said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25) Yet, it is his profession of faith, “My Lord and my God!” that has helped us understand the true nature of Jesus Christ. When St. Peter answered Jesus’ question (“But who do you say that I am?” ) “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” it was a big deal. Jesus found Peter’s answer a big deal, a great profession of faith to the point that he said, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father” (Matthew 16:17).  If Peter’s profession was such a big deal, then, Thomas’ assertion (or revelation) is even a bigger deal. What did St. Peter say of Jesus? He called him the Christ, the Son of God. The word “Christ” means “anointed” and “Messiah.” So, when St. Peter said of Jesus, “You are the Christ” he was simply saying that Jesus was the anointed one of God. When he said that Jesus was “the Son of God,” he was making reference to the role that Jesus would play as the Christ, the Messiah, the one chosen by God. “Christ” and “Son of God” are both titles that describe Jesus’ mission on earth. Yes, Peter’s profession is a big deal. His profession affirms the mission of Jesus. But it is Thomas’ profession: “My Lord and my God” that gives theologians and ordinary Christians access into the nature of Jesus. His profession affirms and settles every reasonable debate about the divinity of Jesus Christ. He did not just called Jesus Lord, he also called him God. You may even say, “He did not only call him “Adoni” but also “Yahweh.” The word “Lord” can equally be a title, but the word “God” has to do with his nature. Thomas, therefore, upholds the title of Jesus as the Lord, but also reveals that he is God as well. Initially, Thomas doubted the appearance of Jesus, but he equally believed. His faith and the profession of it tells us more about who Jesus was and is. 

There is nothing wrong in entertaining some doubts about our faith, so long as the doubt leads to an honest and studious inquiry. It’s alright to have some doubts about what you read in the Scriptures and what you hear from your priests, pastors, preachers and Imams. It’s not a sin to have some doubt about what you hear from the pulpit, on radio and television as long as it leads you to a further search for the truth, as long as it leads you to seek for understanding and comprehension. Religious beliefs without doubt can lead to extremism and fundamentalism. If only the radical Islamists can doubt some of the things they were taught and search for the undiluted truth, there would be no terrorism, insurgency and terrorist attacks. Religious doubt is healthy as long as we don’t stay in doubt for too long without seeking for truth, understanding and clarification. Thomas initially doubted, his doubt led him to further search and inquiry. His search and inquiry brought him to the feet of the Truth. Having found the Truth, he believed even more. He professed and confessed even more. He went further than St. Peter by acknowledging that Jesus was, not only the anointed one, but also God. His profession helps us Christians to accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior and also our God. 

St. Thomas initially doubted but it is his belief, his faith and the profession of it that has made those of us who believe in the risen Lord to count ourselves as blessed. It was his profession of faith that made Jesus say, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” (John 20:29). Though we have not seen, yet, we believe. As such, we are all blessed. It was Thomas’ profession that prompted Jesus to make such a satisfying expression that we can hold closely to our hearts. So, instead of seeing St. Thomas as the doubting one, begin today to see him as the believing one. Like I said before, St. Peter’s profession affirms the mission and the ministry of Jesus, but that of St. Thomas reveals Jesus’ nature as divine.  

St. Thomas should also be known for his uncommon courage. When Jesus told his Apostles that their friend Lazarus had died and that he would go to wake him up, it was St. Thomas who exclaimed: “Let us also go to die with him” (John 11:16b). Why did he say that? Lazarus was from Bethany. Bethany was near Jerusalem, the colony of Jesus’ enemies. Going to Bethany was seen by Thomas as walking straight into the hands of his enemies, which means death. Yet, he was not afraid to follow Jesus and to die with him. Going to Bethany was like “walking through the valley of the shadow of death” to St. Thomas, yet, he feared “no evil”. Why? Because he believed God’s words in Psalm 23:4b: “…You are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”