When Everything Else Fails…

Rev. Marcel Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

St. Gerard Majella Church, Baton Rouge, LA

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Today’s Gospel has certain elements of tragedy in it: the near death experience of a sick young girl and a woman’s twelve years of sickness (hemorrhages) without any cure or even a small relief in sight. The women in both stories were in desperate situations that needed desperate and urgent responses. The first story is about the daughter of one of the synagogue officials, named Jairus. His daughter was on the threshold of womanhood when death came and was knocking on her door. Her father, Jairus, was not just a synagogue official, he was one of the most important and most respected men in the community. He was the administrative head of the synagogue, the president of the board of elders whose responsibility it was for the good administration and management of the synagogue. Jairus was a highly placed official, but when his daughter became sick and was about to die, he remembered Jesus. Jairus was a lord, but when his daughter’s life was about to be snatched from her, he reached out and appealed to another man who was not only the Lord, but the Lord of lords. 

The folks in the synagogue did not like Jesus at all. They saw him as an outsider, a dangerous heretic, as someone that should be kept out of the synagogue. They regarded him as a law-breaker, and as someone to be avoided by those who cherish their orthodoxy. Jairus was one of those folks. Their hatred for Jesus was deep-set because his teachings and lifestyle called for a theological, cultural, social, political and economic revolution. His way and modus operandi challenged the status quo in every sphere of life. His teaching was also gaining momentum among the people, as such, synagogue folks hated him. But when Jairus’ daughter was seriously ill and dying, he abandoned his hateful prejudice, sought for Jesus, and on finding him fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live” (Mark 5:23). Check this out! Jairus had to cast aside his political and religious positions. He forgot his dignity and pride and threw himself at the feet of the one he once called awful names. The words of the Bible: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Psalm 118:22; Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11) became a reality in this case. But to his credit, Jairus was able to put off his reputation- probably his office and positions, even some of his friends- put on the virtue of humility in order to save the life of his daughter. As a highly placed synagogue official, he must have been warned not to seek the help of Jesus, not to approach him because doing so would mean legitimizing Jesus and his teaching. The problem of others is usually regarded as “their problem” until the same problem comes calling on the one who once thought it was their problem. When Jesus was healing other sick people, Jairus was one of those who despised him. But when his daughter became a victim, it became his problem too. But glory be to God he was not an intransigent and unbending person. He was wise to cast aside everything: his initial prejudice on Jesus, dignity, pride, religious and political positions, friends and admirers etc and sought for the help of the Lord. And because of that singular act of humility and letting go, he and his daughter experienced Jesus as a Savior and Lord of life. 

Sisters and brothers, what are you gonna let go of in order to experience Jesus as the Savior, the Healer and Lord of your life? As we celebrate the feast of Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help, let’s pray with the Blessed Mother who let go of her personal goal and plan in life and freely accepted God’s will for her: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to the Lord’s words” (Luke 1: 38).

The second story is about the woman with hemorrhages. According to the Gospel, “she had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse” (Mark 5:26). Her case was dire because her sickness rendered her unclean, and also shut her out from the worship of God and fellowship of the community. In those days, hemorrhages did not only deprive the afflicted the good and happy life, it also deprived them the right to associate with others. The illness made the afflicted ritually unclean to join in worship and to fellowship with the rest of the society (Leviticus 15:25-27). 

This unnamed woman had tried the medical doctors of her time, spent everything she had, but the result was that she did not feel better, instead she got worse. She appeared more pale, thin, haggard and weak. A constant loss of blood is a serious medical concern. To lose blood is to lose good health and strength, and to lose life itself. Blood is so important that if it’s not enough in the body, life may cease to exist. When every human attempt to find a solution to her problem failed, someone told her about Jesus. Credit should be given to this woman for not being oblivion or careless or unserious to what was happening to her. She wasn’t like some people who, knowing that something is wrong with them, would not want to see a doctor. Some would even be in denial. Some would fold their hands and claim to be waiting on the Lord. But this woman tried to find a cure for her sickness. Her neighbors, friends and relatives knew she had sold everything she had in search of medical cure. But when everything and everyone failed, someone brought the good news about Jesus to her and encouraged her to try him. The Gospel says that “She had heard about Jesus and came behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak” (Mark 5:27). Before touching Jesus, she had said to herself, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Great faith! Great statement of faith! And on touching Jesus, “flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.” 

These two great miracles in this Gospel happened by means of touching. The dying girl was touched by Jesus; the woman with hemorrhages on the other hand, touched Jesus. What’s your story? Are you at the point of dying spiritually, financially, socially, psychologically, emotionally, materially, relationally? Have you spent all you had trying to salvage a situation? Jesus can still touch you, and you can still touch him as well. Like the father of the dying little girl, speak, “Lord, I am at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on me. Do something about my situation.” But do you have the kind of expectant faith that the woman with the flow of blood had? Jesus can still touch you; you can still touch him. He can still  make us whole again.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship! 

I shall not want = That's Supply! 

He makes me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!

He leads me beside still waters = That's Refreshment! 

He restores my soul = That's Healing! 

He leads me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance! 

For His name sake = That's Purpose!

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = That's Testing! 

I will fear no evil = That's Protection! 

For you are with me = That's Faithfulness! 

Your rod and you staff comfort me = That's Discipline! 

You prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies = That's Hope! 

You anoint my head with oil = That's Consecration! 

My cup runs over = That's Abundance! 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = That's Blessing ! 

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security! 

Forever = That's Eternity! 

Face it, the Lord is crazy about you. 

Homily for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Even When Jesus Is In The Boat With Us…

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

St. Gerard Majella Church

Sunday, June 21, 2015

The storms of life simply speaking are those things that inconvenience us. They are those life’s experiences that bring us to tears. They trouble us and sometimes can lead to a loss of interest in life itself. They keep us sleepless at night. In extreme situation they can lead some people to depression. They are those life’s experiences that make people ask questions like “God, where are you?” “God, why me?” Lord, why must I suffer?” “God, have you abandoned me?” These storms can come in different fashions. Sometimes they come unannounced and when we least expected them. No matter one’s state of life, storms are unavoidable. When one is confronted by the difficulties of life, how he or she handles it will go a long away in determining how long the storm will last. If handled wrongly, it can lead to another storm thereby multiplying the person’s misery. This is the reason why some people go through life carrying all forms of storms without any end in sight.

In today’s Gospel, taken from Mark 4: 35-41, Jesus was “crossing to the other side” with his disciples. As the boat sailed, a violent storm came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. But Jesus was fast asleep. Terribly afraid of the situation, the disciples exclaimed: “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus got up and rebuked the wind: “Quiet! Be still!”  Immediately, there was a great calm. Jesus then turned to his disciples and asked, “Why are you terrified? Do you not have faith?” But the disciples looked at each other and wondered: “Who then is this that even the sea and wind obey him?”

This gospel passage teaches us that even when Jesus is in our life, in our relationships, in your marriage, in our job, studies, ministry, families, business, vocation etc. problems could still occur. Even with him accompanying us on our journey, we are still going to experience the storms of life. With Jesus in our life, the wind could still turn violent, and we can still be exposed to danger. We can still be in trouble. With Jesus in our life, the difficulties of life would still come. Your spouse may still hurt you. Your son or daughter may still betray you. Even when we are riding with the Lord it’s still possible to lose a job. A young lady could still find it hard to find a life-partner. The man out there could still suffer from heartbreak. With Jesus in the boat of our life, health can still fail sometimes, business can still be slow at times. You might even lose your retirement and have to begin afresh. Your credit card company can still overcharge you; the money you pay for your health insurance can still double up; you may still experience a foreclosure of your house. Even with Jesus in your life raising your children and having to pay for their tuition and other expenses can still be tough. None of us is immune to the adverse effects of the plundering and exploitation of nature. 

But our attitude to the challenges of life is what is going to distinguish us from non-believers and faint believers. The disciples’ journey to the other side is our journey. Their experience is our experience. They had Jesus with them, yet there was a storm. We have Jesus with us too and there are storms also. If you have never experienced any, wait for your turn. Storms are part of human life. From time to time we will experience them in different fashions and forms. When they come, there are basically two opposite reactions: Fear or Faith. True believers lean on faith; they are not totally destabilized. When the violent winds of life begin to blow, they remain calm because they know they have a very big God who is always standing by their side. As humans, they may experience and express some fear, but due to their faith in God they are able to make a quick transition from fear to faith. Non-believers and faint-believers, on the other hand, are overwhelmed and crippled by fear. Fear is false evidence about reality. Fear makes us doubt the power of God to save us from our situation. Satan loves people of fear. In fear and out of fear, we can easily do something that radically goes against our beliefs and values. But persons of faith remain calm and prayerful. Like the disciples, they go to Jesus in prayer. After their initial experience of shock, or anger or fear at what has happened, they begin to call upon the Lord for rescue. They call in faith, in expectant faith.

Dearest beloved, what is your present situation? Are you sick? Have the doctors written you off? Have they concluded that you are not going to live again? Have they given you the month, date, and year to die? Did you lose your job? Are the storms of life blowing so violently that you are almost being blown away? Is your business going south? I urge you to run to Jesus. Do not run away from him. When the disciples called out to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” he woke up, and rebuked the wind: “Quiet! Be still!” Stop keeping silent. Speak out to the One who was obeyed even by the sea and wind. Run to Jesus and call out to him. Break that silence; stop hiding and crying in the secret corners of your house. Instead of suffering in silent, you can silence the aggressive winds of life. Quiet the storms that threaten to destroy you by going and speaking to Jesus. Don’t suffer alone! 

Arise and shine, for the Lord is here!

Eucharist: The Amazing Gift of Love

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ

St. Gerard Majella Church, Baton Rouge, LA

Sunday, June 7, 2015

I am not one of those who spends a great deal of time watching movies. I hardly watch movies either in the house or at the theater. I may be interested in going to a movie theater if there is a historic movie that everyone is talking about. In the past, I have gone to see movies like: “Twelve Years a Slave,” “The Butler” “Lincoln” “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom etc.” But I have in the past watched a few action and horror movies that were very bloody. Most times I contend that such movies are well made, but too bloody. I would prefer if there was less bloodshed in them. When I watch such bloody movies, I often times forget that they are merely movies, not real, but make-believe actions. But then, there are not too many people who will delight in watching movies littered with gory bloodshed and remain unmoved. So many people cannot stand the sight of blood, and that includes me. 

It might surprise us to hear that the three readings today all have to do, not just with the shedding of blood, but sprinkling it on people, as Moses did out in the desert, thereby presenting Jesus as the great high priest who goes into the sanctuary bearing his own blood, which will “cleanse our consciences from dead works (Hebrews 9:14) so we can worship the living God. 

As we celebrate the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the Church presents us Mark’s account of the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-16, 22-26) where Jesus tells his disciples, not only to eat his body but also to drink his blood. We have gotten used to hearing these words since they are spoken at every Mass. But if we stop and reflect on those words again, we will find those directives shocking and appalling. In the biblical world, just as in our time, blood is sacred; blood is life. Jesus offered his Body and Blood in order to give us life, his life, in order to make us sacred. In the Old Testament, animals were used for sacrifice. Their blood was offered in sacrifice. But by offering his Body and Blood, Jesus offered once and for all a sacrifice for all ages. His sacrifice opened a new relationship between us and God. Through the gift of his Body and Blood, salvation was won for us and is present to us when we gather in his name to praise the Father. 

The Eucharist (Jesus’ Body and Blood) is a sacrament of love. It simply calls us to convert to loving the Lord our God with our whole heart, our whole soul, and our whole mind. Love is a gift of self. St. ignatius of Loyola teaches us that love consists in a mutual sharing of what one has or is. In the Eucharist, that is, in the moment of Communion, what is being expressed and what is happening is just a mutual gift. That is why we call it “Communion.” It simply invites us to love the one that is offering himself to us. In the other six sacraments, Jesus comes to us to perform an action. In the other sacraments, Jesus does the giving, and we do the receiving. For instance, in Baptism, he comes to save us, to incorporate us into his own life, death, and resurrection. He comes to incorporate us into his Body. In reconciliation, Jesus comes to forgive and to heal us, and to help us grow. In confirmation, he comes to bring us to Christian maturity, to empower us and to send us on his own mission. In matrimony and holy orders, he comes to consecrate us to form the two communities that are necessary for Christian life: the community of the family and the community of the worshipping church. In anointing, Jesus comes to assure us of final victory over sin and death. But in the Eucharist, he comes for a mutual giving of himself to us and us to him. In Communion, we receive Jesus. We receive healing, strength, and every grace of the Lord. Now, Jesus does not come to us to remain silent and dormant. Communion is a very active moment. It is a time of deep union with him, a time for the communication of all he is to us and all we are to him. That is why the Eucharist is called the sacrament of love. We know that we are not worthy to receive the Lord, but since the Lord himself is happy to give himself to us this way, we should not be afraid to receive him. With confidence, let’s pray, “only say the word and I shall be healed.” With humility, let’s also pray for deep-down healing so that we may give ourselves wholeheartedly to the Lord.