Stay Awake in the Spirit

Rev. Marcel E. Okwara, CSsR

Homily for First Sunday of Advent, Year A

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Sisters and brothers, today, we begin the season of Advent. Advent is the beginning of the Church’s liturgical Calendar. The word “Advent” means “arrival” or “coming.” It indicates the arrival or the coming of the Lord and reminds us that Jesus Christ, our Brother in our humanity, and our God in his divinity is coming. Today’s Gospel highlights the Parousia, that is,  the second coming of Christ, an end-time event when God will manifest ultimate salvific power. Although the season of Advent is about preparation—getting prepared to celebrate the birth of Christ, but it is also for his second coming as well. Advent has two arrows— one points to Christ’s first arrival, and the other points to his second coming. One points to the past which is connected to the future when Christ will come again. As we prepare to celebrate his first coming, which has happened already, we are being reminded not to forget his ongoing and imminent coming. So, in a nutshell, Advent connects the past and the future together, and reminds us never to forget any. As we already know, his first coming was mostly hidden, but at his second, all eyes will behold him as he comes. At his first coming, he was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger; however at his second coming, he will be clothed with inaccessible light. In his first coming, he endured mockery and eventually ended up on the cross, but at his second coming, he will come in glory accompanied by legions of angels. At his first coming, he was judged unjustly by wicked people, but at his second, he will judge justly the deeds of all. During his judgment, he was largely silent; but at his second, he will speak up and say to some, “…whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me,” (Matt. 25:40) and to others, “…what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me” (Matt. 45). His first coming was to declare God’s profound love for humanity: “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” (Jn. 3.:16). His second coming will be about separating the sheep from the goats, rewarding those who accepted God’s love and rebuking those who didn’t. It will be the time to clear the threshing floor, gather the wheat into his barn, and to burn the chaff with unquenchable fire (Matt. 3:12). 

The Parousia (second coming) of the Son of Man is certain, although when it will happen is unknown. It is due to its unknowability that Jesus charged his disciples back then and now to not be carried away by the affairs of this world. It is because we do not know when it will happen that we are counseled to always be prepared and be vigilant. To drive home his message, Jesus compared his second coming to the visit of a thief. We all know that thieves do not usually send a notice of visit to their targets. After preparing for the raid, they simply invade their target and cart-away whatever is valuable to them. But if the owner of the house is aware of their visit, he surely would prepare to match them strength for strength. He would not sit idly by and watch them invade his house and take away his treasures. In the same manner, the Lord’s Second Coming will happen at an hour we do not expect. But unlike the thief, Jesus is not coming to steal any material treasures, he’s coming to take his own to their  true home. Like the thief, he will come unannounced, and only those who are awake in faith, hope and charity will go with him. That’s why today’s Gospel and the entire season of Advent invite us to stay awake, to pay attention, to be present to the ways in which God is coming into our life and the ways we come to God. We are being encouraged to wake up from the sleep of the soul. The sleep of the soul is the neglect of God and God’s matters. The sleep of the soul is the neglect of one’s state of life; it is the neglect of virtues. It is the neglect of religious and spiritual duties like coming to Church on Sunday and being church outside the Church. Some people come to church always, but always leave the church unchanged. As we begin the season of Advent, let’s pray and strive to stay awake in what really matters to God and our neighbor. 

Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King

Even on the Cross Jesus is Indeed a King

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Solemnity of Christ the King

St. Thomas the Apostles Catholic Church, Hamel, Minnesota

November 23 & 24, 2019

Today’s Gospel highlights the type of people that Jesus’ executioners were; the stuff they were made. It also announces once afresh who Jesus was. Throughout the Gospel, Jesus acts in the person of God. The Gospel tells us that in their cold-heartedness, the rulers mocked Jesus and said “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” In their ruthlessness, the soldiers ridiculed him and said, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” Even one of the criminals reviled him saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” Of course, they were reacting to what was inscribed above the cross of Jesus: “This is the King of the Jews.” That Jesus was regarded as the king of the Jews was profoundly offensive to the Jews. Why? Because they believed that the King— the Christ or Messiah would be greater than David. He was not supposed to be crucified. The Jews knew the words of the scripture which said that “God’s curse is on anyone who hangs on a tree” (Deuteronomy 21:23). Since Jesus has been cursed and crucified, he cannot be the king. He cannot be the Christ. For many of them, Jesus was an impostor.

But in the midst of widespread ignorance and rejection of Jesus, there was one person who acknowledged what everyone else denied and refused to acknowledge—“this man has done nothing criminal.” He also knew the right identity of Jesus. Surprisingly this person was not one of the scholars of the law; not one of the rulers, not one of the Pharisees, not one of the Scribes. The person was one of the criminals crucified along Jesus. The other criminal treated Jesus with contempt, his partner in crime admitted his guilt and immediately declared that Jesus was totally innocent. Then he requested from Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Asking that Jesus remember him in his Kingdom is a recognition of the fact that Jesus is a King. But it even goes deeper than that. By his request, he explicitly acknowledged that even on the cross Jesus is still a King. To confirm that he is indeed a King, Jesus responded to the man’s plea exactly as a king would to his subject: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with in Paradise.”   

Sisters and brothers, today’s Gospel (Luke 23:35-43) affirms strongly that Jesus is indeed the King of the universe. Even on the cross, he remains the most authentic King who has power to forgive sins and reward even a criminal with eternal life in heaven. It also teaches us that it is never too late to turn to the Lord. Some things may be too late to get done. It’s too late for me now to be a football star or a world class soccer player. It may be too late for some of us to have another child. It may be too late for some of us to go back to school. It may be too late for some of us now to attempt to climb Mount Everest or any other mountain out there. But when it comes to turning to Jesus Christ, we can never say that it is too late. So long as someone’s heart beats, the invitation to turn to the Lord still stands. As we always say, “When there is life, there is hope.”  

This story also challenges us not to be intimidated especially if we are the lone voice of righteousness. As more and more people turn away from God, we must strive to remain the lone voice of God in our community. As more and more people deny the Kingship of Jesus, we must be the lone voice shouting in words and deeds that Jesus Christ is the Lord and King. As more and more Christians become cold and lukewarm in the practice of their faith, our faith must speak up and dispel the darkness around us. As more and more Catholics pick and choose what aspect of our faith they want to believe and practice, be the voice of truth. To be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ is to be servants of truth- truth that liberates and renews, truth that gives and sustains life and hope, truth that transcends rationalizations, half-truths and delusions. To be his disciples, we must become servants of all he taught and did. 

Perseverance Wins the Race

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Jesus was standing in one of the courtyards of the Temple watching people as they come and go. Then he overheard some people marveling at the beauty of the Temple. They were not talking to God; they were talking to themselves about the costly stones and votive offering in the Temple. They were not praising God; they were praising the Temple. They were not glorifying God; they were glorifying the Temple. They did not marvel at God’s beauty and majesty, but that of the Temple. Jesus released the bombshell— “All that you see here, the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Jesus’ listeners must have been infuriated, but he was right. In 70 AD, the Romans destroyed the Temple, and leveled the city of Jerusalem.

Speaking further, Jesus said: “Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.” To those who believe in him, he said, “They will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.” Once again, these prophecies came to pass like his prophesy of the destruction of the Temple. So many early Christians were persecuted, tortured, and killed by some Roman emperors. Emperor Nero, for instance, destroyed the lives of so many Christians. He was so ruthless to Christians that the Christian writer, Tertullian accused him of the being the first to persecute the Christians. Peter and Paul, like many other disciples of Jesus were killed. But in all these tribulations, the early Christians did not give up. They believed in the promise of Jesus to be with them until the end of time. 

Everything that Jesus said in today’s gospel (Luke 21:5-19) has come to pass, and some of them are still happening today. We still witness wars; nation still rise up against nation; hunger and famine still devastate life; earthquakes, wild fire, hurricane, typhoon etc. still happen. But in the face of these calamities, Jesus counsels “Do not be terrified” (Luke 21:9). Do not be afraid means do not surrender to life’s misfortune. It means do not quit when it gets difficult, rough and tough. Why? Because “By your perseverance you will secure your lives” so said Jesus. Those who quit the race do not win. Quitters do not get to the finish line. They lack the perseverance to endure till morning. They give up before sunrise. The Bible says “There may be mourning in the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Those who do not persevere cannot see the joy of a new day.

Friends, Jesus never promised us a crossless life. He never promised a rosy life without thorns. As a matter of fact, opting to follow him could expose us to ridicule and persecution. But if we remain steadfast and faithful till the very end, even when it is very difficult to do so, we will be saved. If we continue to be his arm in the world, even when it is not encouraging to do so, we will be saved. If we continue to be the voice of the Lord in the world, speaking truth, peace and justice, even when we are not being appreciated, we will be saved. No one likes misfortune. I do not like it either. I want my life to be free from all problems and troubles. Incidentally, such a path is not the path that leads to life. If there is no cross, there is no crown. If you have golden jewelries, think of the painful process a piece of gold goes through before it is finally purified. That’s the life of a Christian. All the troubles we experience in our lifetime are our passing through purification. Like gold, we must be heated before we become the shinning piece of God’s ornaments. If we persevere, we will be saved. But if we quit, we will quit our place in heaven.

This Age And The Coming Age

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota

Sunday, November 10, 2019

After undergoing an extensive journey with this disciples, Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, where he was immediately confronted and opposed by the chief priests, scribes, and the leaders of the people. They attempted to set him up by posing questions that challenge his authority. Their ultimate goal was to entrap him so as to find reasons to put him to death. Today’s Gospel tells us that one of the opposing groups, the Sadducees, came forward and asked him a question designed to humiliate him. Addressing Jesus as a “teacher”, they said, “Moses wrote us, if someone’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.” Continuing with their story, they narrated a story of seven brothers, who, at some point of their earthly lives got married to the same woman, but one after another, they all died without raising any child with the woman. Eventually the woman also died. “At the resurrection whose wife will that woman be?” they asked (Luke 20:27-38). It is important to note here that the Sadducees were an extreme conservative sect among the Jews who did not believe in the resurrection, in spirits and angels. The question they posed to Jesus was meant to prove that there is no resurrection. They were not interested in understanding the theology of the resurrection; all they wanted to do was to make a mockery of the belief in the resurrection. They wanted Jesus to make a fool of himself. They did not ask to know, rather to ridicule the most fundamental of Jesus’ teaching. Everything that Jesus taught and did rest on resurrection. In John 11:25, Jesus says of himself, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even if they die, they will live.” If resurrection were not true, then it means that Jesus is not true. If resurrection were a lie, it means that Jesus is a lie. If resurrection were fake, it means that Jesus is fake. If there were no resurrection, it means that Jesus lied to us. If there were no resurrection, then it means that Jesus went into extinction after his death. This is what the Sadducees wanted to demonstrate. They wanted to dismantle the cornerstone of the Christian Faith. 

But guess what? They chose the wrong person because Jesus showed them that he is indeed Immanuel—God who is with us— who has an unquestionable knowledge of life, death, and resurrection. He used the opportunity to set the Sadducees straight by making a distinction between “this age” and “the coming age.” In this age he said, men and women will marry and remarry; but in the coming age, those found worthy by God to experience the Resurrection of the dead will no longer marry, nor be given in marriage. In this age, men and women will die, but in the coming age, death will no longer have power over them. They will be like angels, heavenly beings of which the Sadducees did not believe exist. In this age, men and women are citizens of one country or another; but in the coming age, they will be solely citizens of heaven, solely and totally children of God. In this age, men and women have human identity; but in the coming age, they will have the abiding identity of God’s own children.  In this age, life is often interrupted by wars, economic, political and social crisis or by natural disasters, but in the coming age, joy is stable; peace is uninterrupted. In this age, we live with so many lacks, but the coming age offers us abundant life, life in its fullness. In this age, we are so divided along religious, political, and racial lines, but in the coming age, we will all be united as God’s children. In this age, the world is divided into two rooms— the haves and the haves not. But in the coming age, there is only one room and all those in it are simply winners and over-comers. In this age, we work to make a living, but the coming age will bring everlasting rest, eternal youthfulness, where no one will work for money or fame. One thing I love about the coming age is that it is a place where human power and failure are equalized forever.  

This age is no where close to the coming age. This age is transient; it is passing away. But the coming age is stable and permanent. The Resurrection is nothing like the life we live here on earth. In this age, life is a struggle; at the coming age, life is fulfilled and better. In this age, we experience pain all through life, but in the coming age, there will be no pain, no suffering. In this age, we need several things to live a true human life and to survive, but in the coming age, we will live, move and have our being in God alone. In this age, there is a need to enter into marriage to preserve our human species from dying out, but in the coming age, none of that would matter because death will be eliminated. In heaven, we will be like angels. Anyone who wants to be part of this coming age should do the following: love God wholeheartedly, and love others intentionally.  

God Responds Quickly To Any Sign Of Faith

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center

Sunday 3, November 2019

The story of Zacchaeus teaches us how quickly God responds to any sign of faith. Zacchaeus’ climbing of the sycamore tree wasn’t out of curiosity. It wasn’t a passing glance or a passing interest to see Jesus. He really wanted to see Jesus. He had a deep hunger to encounter the Lord of second chance. Although he was despised by many for working for the Roman Empire as a tax collector, he was determined to see Jesus. It’s possible he had been looking for an opportunity to turn a new leaf. Of course, his people won’t believe him and won’t even provide such an opportunity. So, when he heard that Jesus was passing by, he seized the moment. 

Zacchaeus was a wealthy man. But praise God he realized that his wealth was ill-gotten. Praise God he realized that filthy wealth cannot buy salvation. Praise God he discovered that although he had plenty of material riches, he was lacking in what really matters to God. Praise God that he had the humility to set aside his honor, pride and whatever else he thought of himself, and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see the poor Carpenter from Nazareth. Praise God that Zacchaeus knew it worths nothing to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul. Praise God he did not allow any obstacle— the crowd, his short stature, ego, etc. to become his stumbling block. He desperately wanted to see Jesus, but even before he expressed his intention, Jesus reached out to him: “Zacchaeus, hurry down. I mean to stay at your house today.” 

Sisters and brothers, God responds to us more readily when we show the least interest in him. He doesn’t play hard to get; he is not reluctant to accept us. When we seek him, he responds, because love is all that God is. God’s DNA is love. 

Check this out! After Jesus called Zacchaeus by name, what’s the next word he uttered? It is “hurry.” The word “hurry” means “don’t wait,” “don’t hesitate.” So to all of us, the good Lord is simply saying, “Seize the moment of conversion and salvation now.” 

God bless you!