Homily for Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, Year C

Wickedness And Injustice Never Win

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, Year C

St. Gerard Majella Church

Baton Rouge, LA

April 19 & 20, 2014

When Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary, our Brother and Redeemer died, foolish people foolishly thought that God is dead. But if God died, how come we are still alive? The death of God would not just be the death of humanity, but the extinction of everything. The cross therefore is not the end of everything. If God had died, then there will be no more life on earth or anywhere. The paradox here is that the Son of God only conquered death by his death. 

When the Lord breathed his last and died, his murderers thought that they have killed him. But death could not hold him! The forces of evil could not stop him from rising. Satan could not hold him down in the grave. Jesus rose in glory. The cross is not a depiction of weakness, rather a symbol of hope and new-life. From the cross was born the new life of Paul; from the cross was born the conversion of St. Augustine of Hippo; from the cross was born the joyful poverty of St. Francis of Assisi; from the cross was born the radiant goodness of St. Vincent de Paul; from the cross was born the great compassion of St. Alphonsus Liguori; from the cross was born the heroism of Maximilian Kolbe; from the cross was born the amazing charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta; from the cross was born the courage of John Paul II; from the cross was born the bravery of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador; from the cross was born the courage and justice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who challenged the nation to live out the true meaning of its creed, that all men and women are equal; from the cross was born the revolution of love. So the cross is not the death of God, but the birth of his love in our world.

Easter tells us there is an end to pain and suffering. If you think you are walking under the shadow of death, remember the message of Easter- that your struggles now shall pass away as well. Be hopeful because victory is just round the corner. Are the forces of hatred ganging up against you trying to frustrate and foil your progress? Be strong because evil and wickedness never win. There is indeed an end to suffering and discomfort. When Jesus was dragging his wounded body to Golgotha, it seemed it is finished for him. On his way to crucifixion, he fell thrice. It seemed it is finished for him. And when he finally cried, “It is finished”, his killers rejoiced and thought he has been finished. They thought they have finished him. But our Lord was not really finished. When he said, “It is finished”, he meant our salvation and freedom is accomplished. He meant: “I have given you everything. I have told you everything. I brought you the most beautiful message of all: God is love! God loves you! There is nothing left behind. I have told you everything and given you everything you need to gain salvation. The complete message of salvation has been preached completely. I have emptied myself completely for you. My love has been poured out to you unreservedly; my entire life has been poured out completely for your liberty. Nothing remains! “It is finished” means the enmity between us and God is over. The sin that separates us from God is erased. The barrier is finally destroyed. Satan’s power and victory over us is finished. He can no longer win battles against us. I have finished the evil one! “It is finished” therefore does not mean our Savior’s life is finished; rather his life and love have been given out completely without reservation. Life was won! Love was poured out! But fools misunderstood expiration for extinction. They thought the Excellent One is finished forever. But our Lord is alive; He lives! Death could not hold him in the darkness of the grave. He rose to light and glory for our good. He has offered us everything- love, freedom, peace, joy, salvation, courage, life etc.

Brothers and sisters, our Savior, crucified on Good Friday is risen. He is risen to reign forever.  He has risen to die no more. Therefore, Rejoice! We are free! We are redeemed! We have been reconciled with God! When Jesus raised Lazarus from death, he said to those who witnessed the great miracle, “untie him and let him go”. By his death and resurrection, Jesus speaks to Satan, “untie my people and let them go.”

Who is this?

Fr. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for Palm Sunday, Year A

April 13, 2014

Today we celebrate the Palm Sunday. Today we gather to celebrate Christ’s 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, we will decide whether we are going to join the same crowd to shout, “Crucify him!” “Crucify him!” Today we are cheering him asking him to “Save us” for that is the meaning of Hosanna. On Friday, we will decide whether to join in jeering him. The same crowd that cheered “Hosanna” which means “Save us” on Friday jeered “Crucify him!”

It was the Passover time, and Jerusalem and its environs were crowded with pilgrims. The Passover law stipulated that each family must slaughter a lamb and throw a party. There was also a law that mandated every adult male Jew who lived within 20 miles of Jerusalem to come to Jerusalem for the Passover; but it was not only Jews who lived within 20 miles of Jerusalem that came to Jerusalem for Passover. Jews from every corner of the world also came to Jerusalem to celebrate their greatest national festival. There were lots of people who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. It was on this spectacular period that Jesus chose to make a bold statement about himself and his mission. “When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem….Jesus sent two disciples saying to them, ‘Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me.” With the donkey and the colt Jesus rode into Jerusalem. The crowd received him like a King. They spread their clothes in front of him. They cut down palms and waved their branches, and greeted him as they would greet pilgrims as they came to the Feast: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They also shouted “Hosanna” which means “Save us.” Hosanna was a cry for help that a suffering and distressed people addressed to their king or their god. When we sing or recite “Hosanna in the highest” we mean, “Let the angels in the highest heights of heaven (help us to) to cry unto God, ‘Save us.”

With the chanting of “Hosanna” the entire city of Jerusalem was shaken to its foundation, prompting onlookers to ask, “Who is this?” With the drumming and the dancing for the arrival of “he who comes in the name in the Lord”, onlookers asked, “Who is this?” The cutting down of palm trees and the waving of their branches prompted people to ask “Who is this?” The spreading of clothes on the ground for Jesus to match on prompted observers to ask “Who is this?” The noise that followed the arrival of Jesus made people to ask, “Who is this?” The city was already crowded. People were eating and drinking. They were in a jubilant mood. But here comes Jesus with his teeming fans, disrupting the enjoyment, disrupting the flow of fun. This led people to ask, “Who is this?”

“Who is this?” “Who is Jesus?” This question helps us understand the fickle reactions of people who were present at the first Palm Sunday. Every one of them was looking for something different in Jesus, and Jesus disappointed most of them.

Who was Jesus for the crowd? They wanted a miracle Jesus. They were attracted to him because he was a vigorous and a dynamic leader. They liked him for putting the Pharisees in their place. But of all the qualities that the crowd loved about Jesus, the most loved is his ability to perform miracles. The multitude followed him when they saw the lame walk, the blind saw, the sick healed, the dead raised, the lepers cleansed. They yearned for more miracles. They cheered him. In one occasion Jesus resisted their quest for more miracles and said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign. Truly I say to you, no sign shall be given to them, and he left them” (Matthew 8:11-12). The crowds wanted miracles. But Jesus sometimes refused to heed to their clamor.

Who was Jesus for the Pharisees? They wanted a Ritual Messiah. They believed that what constitute a true religion is how the adherents dressed, washed and ate, and not how they believed or prayed. But Jesus through his preaching said that the true way to God was by having faith in God and living a morally upright life. To demonstrate his rejection of the Pharisees’ lifestyle, Jesus willfully broke the rules set up by the Pharisees. He broke the Sabbath, had a chat with a Gentile woman, went to a Gentile neighborhood, ate their food, drank their water, slept in the homes, offered them salvation which Jews claimed to be exclusively theirs. Jesus also defied the laws of purification. The Pharisees wanted a Messiah who will keep their ritual laws and other laws, but Jesus disappointed them.

Who was Jesus for the Zealots? They wanted a military leader, a military Jesus. The Zealots were the radical nationalists who were ready to use force, even terrorism to overthrow oppressive Roman government. These wanted Jesus to call for a confrontational revolution. They wanted Jesus to take up arms and swords and declare war against the Roman government. They wanted a Messiah who would head their resistance movement. When Jesus entered the Temple in Jerusalem and forcefully cleansed the Temple, these Zealots were so impressed. But Jesus disappointed them when he said “Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” in Matthew 22:21. Jesus disappointed them when again he said, “…those who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).

Who was Jesus for the disciples? They wanted a victorious Jesus. They wanted a triumphant leader. They were elated to see Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem. They relished being around him. Each of them wanted to sit beside him when he enters into his kingdom. Even James and his brother John in Mark 10: 37 asked Jesus, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” The disciples wanted a triumphant and victorious Messiah, but Jesus spoke of himself as the Suffering Servant. The disciples wanted earthly glory, human praise, but Jesus promised them persecution here on earth. The Lord made it clear that following him means taking up a cross. Jesus disappointed his disciples. They wanted a victorious Messiah but Jesus showed himself a humble servant of the Lord.

All these people were present at the first Palm Sunday, each with their own personal view of Jesus. As they waved the palm and shouted “Hosanna”, they happily thought that the revolution has finally started. The crowd assumed he would perform more miracles in Jerusalem. The Zealots were excited that Jesus has finally started the revolution that would unseat the Roman government. They were thrilled that he had come to Jerusalem, which is the seat of the Roman government. The disciples of Jesus expected this week to be their greatest week of popularity and glory. They expected this week to be the beginning of their reign when they would begin to associate with the elites and the most powerful in the city. But Jesus disappointed them all.

Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem was not the beginning of a revolution that the people expected. In fact, it was a funeral procession. The people thought that the Palm Sunday was the beginning of a revolution that will overthrow the Roman government. But Jesus knew it was a funeral procession. On that day they were cheering him with the shout of “Hosanna.” But he knew that in few days the cheering would stop.

So the real meaning of Palm Sunday can be found in the question “Who is this?” “Who is Jesus?” Who is Jesus to you? In John 18:7, Jesus asks, “Who is it you want?’ A celebrity Jesus? A Ritual Jesus? A Military Jesus? If you are looking for any of those, you may be disappointed because you are looking for the wrong kind of Jesus. Jesus had already played the identity game with the Disciples at Caesarea Philippi when he asked, “Who do people say that I am?” They responded that some think he is John the Baptist. Others say Elijah the prophet. Some say Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Then Jesus asks the most pertinent question, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter declared “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.”

Whatever view you hold about Jesus, do not forget that he was a man who lived and associated himself with the common people of the society. He did not limit his compassion to people he knew. He associated with everyone regardless of their class and status. His caring for others was not limited to family and friends. He was not bound by pride or obsessed with success and riches. He was all things to all people. The people wanted a hero, a military leader, but he chose to be a humble suffering servant. While kings sit on the table and wait to be served, Jesus was on the floor washing the feet of his disciples. Though he was in the form of God, he did not count himself equal with God. He became a humble servant, emptied himself for others. While some of us want to be served, Jesus says that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). And he truly served! While the preachers of today look for fame, while they are driven by self aggrandizement, Jesus begged people not to tell about the miracles he had done. While preachers of today are obsessed by sensationalism and human applause, Jesus was running away from being made a king. While some of us yearn to sit and hang out with the topnotch people, Jesus was avoiding being made a king. His friends were the no-bodies in the society.

The Palm Sunday event is a lesson in humility. After his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, guess what happened? There was no party, no coronation banquet, no awards ceremony, no prize, and no photo op. Jesus and his disciples quietly went away, and went to Bethany and rested for the night. The crowd who thronged during the day wanted to make him their king, but he slipped away. He did not come for earthly glory. He did not come for fame but to be shamed.

Following Jesus is not always glamorous. It’s not just about preaching to a huge crowd of people and telling them what they should do and shouldn’t do. Following Jesus requires a great deal of humility. Humility marks a Christian. Humility distinguishes a Christian. Humility keeps a Christian in check. Humility tells a Christian she is not better than any one else. Pride says you are better and above every one else. Humility seeks for no recognition, pride longs for human applause. Remember the story of the Poet and the Monk.

“Who is this?” It’s Jesus! Though he was the humble servant, but he is the bright morning star. “Who is this?” It’s Jesus! Though he was the suffering servant, but in him we have found the light that lightens our darkness. “Who is this?” It’s Jesus! Though he emptied himself totally and became a slave, but he is the way that leads us from death to life. “Who is this?’ It’s Jesus! Though he fasted for forty days and forty nights, but he is the bread of life that nourishes us. “Who is this?” It’s Jesus! Though he was the humble servant, but he is the Word and the Wisdom of God.

What kind of Jesus are you looking for? An elite Jesus? A top-notched Jesus? The Jesus who lives, eats and dines in the White House? Or the Jesus who paraded himself with the poor, with the no-bodies? Palm Sunday tells us to be humble! Be humble if you are not. Remain humble if you are. Jesus did not say, “I am the good celebrity.” He says, “I am the good shepherd.” The shepherd is usually a poor servant who watches over the sheep. That’s who Jesus was! That’s the Jesus I serve! Jesus did not say, “I am the glorious King, the best there is.” He says, “I am the suffering servant.” He did not come to be served, he came to serve. That’s who Jesus was and is. “Who is this?” It’s Jesus!

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A

Jesus Wept And Still Weeps

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A

St. Gerard Majella Church, Baton Rouge, LA

Sunday, April 6, 2014

The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35: “Jesus Wept.” The story begins when Lazarus from Bethany, the brother of Mary and Martha became sick. His sickness is  serious enough to make his sisters send words to Jesus, “Master, the one you love is ill.” Jesus is a friend of the family. He knows Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. So when Lazarus’ health deteriorated, they quickly informed Jesus about his failing health. But on hearing the urgent message of Mary and Martha about their brother’s ill-health, Jesus waits. The bad news did not move him. Instead he downplays the important of the message with these words: “This illness is not to end in death, but it is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

Jesus’ response is not what Mary and Martha wanted to hear. Their brother Lazarus may have been disappointed that his best friend, Jesus, has not come to visit him.  Jesus waits for two full days before starting the two day journey to Bethany. But why did Jesus wait? Why did he delay? Why did he not go immediately he heard that his friend was ill? Why does God wait? Whatever is his reason for delaying, the fact is that the sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, did not appreciate his delay. They expected him to come right quick and be with them. They know he has miraculous powers to prevent their brother from dying. But Jesus did not respond to the emergency call. He did not rush to the bedside of Lazarus. He did not rush to comfort Lazarus’ sisters. The gospel says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was ill, he remained for two days in the place where he was.” Jesus loves this family. But why didn’t he respond to the emergency call? Why does God wait?

Afterwards, Jesus says to his disciples, “Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken him.” The disciples did not understand what he was saying. They thought he was talking about ordinary sleep. Jesus therefore speaks more clearly, “Lazarus is dead!” On getting to Bethany, each of Lazarus’ sisters took turn to blame Jesus for his lateness and delay. They did not disrespect him, but it seems they blamed him for the death of their brother: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Their comment is a subtle way of expressing their frustration and disappointment over the delay of Jesus. Of course in our human way of looking at things, Jesus disappointed them by not showing up when his attention was needed. The experience of Mary and Martha is also the experience of some of us. How many times have we waited just like they did? How many times have you asked, “Why isn’t the Lord here when I need him?” “Why is God delaying?” “Where are you Jesus?” The other day I encountered a middle age lady who said to me, “Father, I feel that I am so insignificant that God doesn’t care about me again.”

So the pain and the frustration of Mary and Martha are sometimes our pain and frustration too. For some of us, it is the death of a loved one. For others, it is the death of a dream; the death of hope and aspiration; the death of a goal; the death of a job, the death of a marriage, etc. For some of us it may be the depreciation of health, depreciation in the quality of life, depreciation of strength etc.

We don't know why Jesus waits, and we don't know why God waits. My conclusion is that something critically important happens to us while we are waiting. While waiting, life is lived. While waiting, life is challenged. While waiting, our endurance and long-suffering are challenged. While waiting, faith is proved. While waiting, hope is tested. No one likes God’s wait. I do not like it either. When I ask God for something, I want him to give it to me without delay. But then, God waits! God’s wait does not mean God does not care. God, without doubt loves and cares for us. When he waits, when our petitions and prayers are delayed, it is ultimately for a purpose. Like I said before, while we wait for God to answer, our faith and trust him is tested and also perfected. If you think God is delaying to answer you, don’t stop asking. Wait on God! Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” After the wait, God does surely answers. In the final analysis, none of us can be deserted or abandoned by God. 

Death is always a painful experience for the bereaved. It causes sorrow. It brings tears. The tears of mourners usually bring other tears. When Mary broke down in tears before Jesus, he was sorrowfully moved to ask “Where have you laid him?” Upon seeing where his friend Lazarus was buried, he was deeply moved, and “Jesus Wept.” Jesus wept because he cared. He wept for the same reason that we weep at funerals. He loved Mary and Martha and Lazarus. They were his friends. He grieved with the two sisters for the lost of their brother and his friend. He wept because his friend Lazarus had died. He identified with their pains and understood their sorrows. That’s what friends do. They cry when you cry. The good news from today’s gospel is that Jesus identifies with his people especially those who are hurting. He is not an indifferent person. He feels our pain. He cries when we cry.

Jesus wept for Lazarus’ death; he also weeps over the bloodshed that happen everyday around the world. He weeps over the way we treat each other. He weeps for the wickedness in the world. He weeps for the mothers whose children roam the streets hopelessly. He weeps for all children whose fathers are in jail, who have never experienced a father’s love. He weeps for all the single mothers who have to bear the burden of raising their children all alone. Jesus weeps for the gap that exists between the rich and poor.

Jesus wept for the death of Lazarus. He weeps for the death of many dreams, for the death of many aspirations; for the death of faith and for the death of God in many hearts, homes and families. The family is one of God’s dreams for humanity. The family is a spark from heaven shared with all humankind. It is the cradle where we were born and constantly reborn in love. The family is the domestic church. Jesus weeps over the state of many families today. The Lord weeps over the death of love in our families.

Jesus wept for the death of Lazarus. He also weeps for the death of love. Genuine love is fading, and our world is becoming cold, inhospitable and intolerable. He weeps over the abuse of the wonderful things he has given to us. Food and drinks have been abused and turned into idols. Jesus weeps over substance abuse. There are some people whose lives are controlled by food, whose lives are dictated by drinks and drugs. Jesus weeps over the abuse of the human body. The body that is the temple of the Holy Spirit is constantly abused with food, drinks, sex, drugs, and other substances.

In Galatians 5:16, St. Paul says, “Walk by the spirit and you will not satisfy the desires of the sinful nature.” Jesus weeps that many who called themselves Christians do not walk in the Spirit. There is no difference between us and non-believers. We over-eat like unbelievers, over-drink like unbelievers, and live like the unbelievers. The Lord wept for the death of Lazarus; he also weeps for the death of the sense of God. He weeps for the death of the sense of sin. With carnal philosophies, we justify our behaviors and attitudes. Jesus weeps for the death of striving for excellence in virtuous living.

Jesus wept for the death of Lazarus, he weeps for the death of many people due to hunger, poverty, diseases and neglect. He weeps for the division of our world into belts of prosperity and belts of poverty. He weeps for the division of the world into two rooms; in one room, things go waste; in the other, people are wasting away due to abject poverty. In one room, people are dying from excess and surplus; and in the other, God’s children die from penury, poverty, destitution, misery, and deprivation. Jesus cries that in one room, people are heavily concerned about being overweight; and in the other God’s children are begging for charity. He is aggrieved that while some people have too much of material wealth and sometimes do not know what to do with it, others are constantly begging for alms. He weeps that untold suffering is insulting the dignity of many. He weeps because “when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, it is not a breaking news, but when the stock market loses two points, it is news.”

Jesus wept for the death of his friend Lazarus, he continues to weep today. He weeps for those languishing in prison. He weeps for drug addicted parents. He weeps for nations with deeply selfish, corrupt and incompetent leaders who perpetuate themselves in office. Jesus weeps for the hostility in the world. He wept, and still weeps. He weeps when you weep. He cares for you. "See how much he loves him" was the comment of the crowd on seeing Jesus cry for the death of his Lazarus. The Lord still cries for you when he sees you hurt. He cries seeing so many people suffer. But after weeping he snatched Lazarus from the grip of death. He will also free us from all that trouble us.

When The Man Called Jesus Remembers You...

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CssR

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A

St. Gerard Majella Church, Baton Rouge, LA

Sunday, March 30, 2014

In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues his assault on human laws that make no sense. As Jesus and disciples were passing by, they met a man blind from birth. As soon as they saw him, his disciples were ready to pronounce a judgment of condemnation on him or his parents: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” With this question, they demonstrated a lack of knowledge and insight to the whyness of human suffering. Like every other Jew of Jesus’ time, they also believed that any form of human suffering is as a result of sin. That poverty, sickness, leprosy, blindness and other human tragedies are consequences of sin. Now, Jesus’ answer by and large, answers the question of human suffering: “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.”

After that, Jesus spat on the ground, made clay with his spittle, rubbed it on the man’s eyes and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam.” As soon as the blind man did what Jesus asked him to do, his sight was restored. The once physically blind man was physically able to see. But it wasn’t only his physical blindness that was cured, his spiritual blindness was equally restored. In the debate that ensued after his cure, he demonstrated that it was not only his physical blindness that was cured, but also his spiritual one. When the Pharisees denounced Jesus’ action (because he performed a good act on a Sabbath Day) and proudly declared that “this man (Jesus) is not from God… He is a sinner,” the man born blind, unlike his parents, fearlessly declared “He is a prophet.” Later he asserted,  “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know here is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.”  But before this debate ensued, people had asked the man born blind who opened his sight: “How were your eyes opened?” With courage and happiness, he replied them saying, “The man called Jesus…” made me see. 

Sisters and brothers, the Man called Jesus gave sight to a man born blind on the Sabbath day. He refused to keep the letters of the law of the Sabbath that forbids doing anything on the Sabbath day. He refused to continue to let a child of God suffer much longer just to abide by the letters of the law of the Sabbath. Because he assaulted a law that violated the higher command of love, compassion and mercy, the Pharisees concluded that he was a sinner and therefore not from God. But keeping the Sabbath Day holy actually means doing those things that God expects us to do at all times. The Sabbath Day is a special day of worship. It is not a day of doing nothing, but a day of being godly just like other days of the week. Just because Jesus demonstrated God’s love to a needy man who has never seen the face of his father and mother, never seen how he looks like, never seen how the world looks like, never appreciated beauty before, and never seen the light of the day, the Pharisees instantly condemned him and tagged him a renegade. But the man born blind is still a child of God. When God remembered him, and decided to take away his suffering, those around complained. They called him a sinner from birth, and also called God a sinner. 

Is that not what happens in our community, in our society, and even in our families?When the Man called Jesus remembers you, when he decides to promote you to a whole new level, those around will start complaining, some would become jealous and play down your blessings. When the Man called Jesus picks a child born in abject poverty and unimaginably blesses him with wealth, enemies of progress will call it “ill-gotten wealth.” When the Man called Jesus decides to take away your shame, some prisoners of the past will still call you shameless. When the Man called Jesus turns your night into day, turns your tears into laughter, some would still say you are in self-denial of your problems. When the Man called Jesus, the greatest Physician of all remembers you and decides to bring you healing, some folks will refuse to acknowledge your healing. They will think you are insane. When the Man called Jesus takes away your timidity and low self-esteem, some say you are being proud and arrogant. When the Man called Jesus puts songs of praise on your lips and you burst out singing and praising him, some naysayers will think you are noisy and out of your mind. But they will not remember the many years you were suffering, the time you had no job, the time you had to work three jobs just to get ahead. They will not remember the time you were sick, down, heartbroken, depressed, financially broken, sinfully ravaged etc. But when God remembers you, forgives you, heals you, takes away your shame, gives you a good job, haters of progress will start complaining. They will start wagging their tongues and accusing you of all sorts of things. “He is sinner; she is a sinner and therefore cannot possibly be blessed by God.”

Till today, a lot of people view suffering as God’s punishment on the sufferer. If someone is poor, they conclude he or she must have been lazy. If someone is in a perpetual state of material and financial brokenness, it must be his or her fault. If a man has lost his job, he is the cause. If a woman has not experienced the joy of motherhood, they conclude she committed several abortions when she was single, and now God is punishing her. Some even call her a witch! When there is earthquake or a tsunami in some parts of the world, some say that God is punishing them for their moral failure. Every human tragedy is hastily seen as God’s punishment on those who are suffering.

But in today’s Gospel from John 9:1-41, Jesus gives us a different perspective of looking at human suffering. He tells us that human suffering is not always as a result of human sinfulness. Those who suffer are not always being punished by God. Like the case of the man born blind, his condition made it possible for the work of God to be made visible. Jesus tells us that neither the man nor his parents had sinned. It’s nobody’s fault. God didn’t make the man blind as a punishment. Rather, the blind man has come to us so that we can be made to see. His blindness would lead to the restoration of our sight. The blindness of ignorance would be removed so we can see that not all who suffer are being punished. By restoring the sight of the blind man, Jesus opens our eyes and teaches us what we should do when we are confronted by human suffering. Although suffering can be redemptive; although suffering can bring about the manifestation of the glory of God, but the glory of God can only be manifested when we like Jesus decide to act out of compassion.

In his Apostolic Letter titled, “On Human Suffering”, Blessed Pope John Paul II used the parable of the Good Samaritan to teach us what we should do when we meet those who suffer. The Holy Father stresses that even though suffering can bring about healing and salvation through suffering, we should not fold our arms or become passive in suffering. We must do all we can to reduce suffering which is in keeping with the mission of the man called Jesus: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” The Gospel,  according to Pope John Paul II, is “the negation of passivity in the face of suffering. Christ himself is especially active in this field” when he went about doing good, healing and curing all those who were sick. The world of human suffering calls unceasingly another world, the world of human love.

For John Paul II, “We are not allowed to ‘pass by on the other side’ indifferently; we must ‘stop’ beside the sufferer. Our common origin, the relationship we share must compel us to stop beside those who suffer. Our common humanity must drive us to stop by the side of the one who mostly needs our help, just what the Good Samaritan did. Anyone who stops besides the sufferer, whatever form it may take, according to John Paul II, is a Good Samaritan. The stop beside the sufferer, explains John Paul II is not for curiosity sake but to be available. It must be a ‘stop’ out of compassion. It must be a profound compassion strong enough to inspire action of bringing help and relief to the sufferer. It is not enough to feel pity and sorry for those who suffer. The pity must drive us into action.

When the man called Jesus saw the man born blind, he did not simply feel sorry for him. He did not tell him, “Oh Sorry! Today is Sabbath, I cannot do anything today. I will attend to you another time.” He disregarded a blind observance of the law in order to regard a child of God as a child of God. After all, what is obedience of human law compared to the life of a human being? What is Sabbath compared to the life of God’s child? 

When the man called Jesus remembers you, he will do anything possible to turn your life around and change your situation. The man called Jesus does not take permission from anybody when he wants to bless you. He does not comply to the standard of this world when he wants to bless you. And when the man called Jesus remembers you, and blesses you, no one can curse you. 

He Quenches Both Our Physical and Spiritual Thirsts 

Fr. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A

Sunday, March 23, 2014

St. Gerard Majella Church, Baton Rouge, LA

Dearest beloved, today is the 3rd Sunday of Lent. Today’s first Scriptural reading taken from Exodus 17:3-7 tells us of the experience of the Israelites as they were being led out of Egypt by God through Moses. As you already know, they were slaves in Egypt for about 400 years, and during those long years, they experienced untold and unspeakable suffering in the hands of their host- the Egyptians. They lamented all day as they were made to engage in hard labors, and cried all nights due to harsh dictates of Pharaoh, the Egyptian leader. Eventually God heard their cries and sent his servant Moses to lead them out of the land of slavery and misery.

On their way to the Promised Land, the Israelites found themselves without water and they complained to Moses their leader. But this was not the first time they had complained. First, they complained that the water they had to drink was bitter. Then, they complained of not having enough food to eat. God had provided for them in the past but that didn't keep them from complaining. They were fine as long as they had what they needed. But when it appeared that they lacked the necessary resources to survive, they became anxious. They quarreled with Moses and said, “Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? Was it just to have us die here of thirst with our children and livestock?” Because of momentary thirst, the Israelites preferred remaining well fed slaves to hungry free people. Because of thirst, they preferred going back to Egypt. Because of thirst, they forgot that the same God who performed great miracles through his servant Moses as they made their exit and escape from Egypt and the Egyptian army is also able to provide even water for them. Because of thirst, just a little problem on the way, they forgot that the same El Gibbor (The mighty God) of Isaiah 9:6 is also the Yahweh Jireh- God our provider of Genesis 22:14.

But God is ever faithful. He never brings a person out of trouble, and then abandons the person half way. When God leads you through the dark with his light, he does not turn off the light half way in the journey. Even in our unfaithfulness, he remains ever faithful. Despite the complaints and anger of his people, the Israelites, God still remained unshakably faithful. That is why St. Paul in 2 Timothy 2:13 says, “Even if we are not faithful, God remains faithful because he cannot be false to himself.”

As the freed people were heaping their blames on Moses, the servant of God went to God in prayer, “Lord, what shall I do with these people? A little more they will stone me.” Of course God never disappoints. He does not overlook his people. And when God sends you on a mission, he does not leave you by yourself; he accompanies you as you carry out his injunction.

The Israelites suffered an identity problem. They were God’s chosen people. How could God let them go without water? They suffered a loss of memory. They failed to understand that the same God who divided the Red Sea to enable them walk through to the other side is omni-benevolent and omnipotent enough to provide water for them. They had forgotten the fact that they were slaves before the Exodus. They were living in bondage and now they were liberated. Rather than be grateful for their freedom they complained when they encountered some hardship. What they really needed was some Living Water, a fresh stream of faith. The Israelites were experiencing a collective hysteria. They thought that God was letting them down. But God said to Moses, “Go over there in front of the people, along with some of the elders of Israel, holding in your hand, as you go, the staff with which you struck the river. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb. Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink.”

Sisters and brothers, the Rock that was struck, from which water gushed out to satisfy the thirst of the Israelites is Jesus Christ whom 1 Peter 2:4 regards as the living stone rejected by people as worthless but chosen by God as valuable. From this rock will come forth springs of living water; from this rock will burst forth the fountain of life; from this rock will emerge a new life, a new dawn, a new era, a new history and a new experience. Jesus is the Rock that was struck; Jesus is also the Water that flowed from the rock. Jesus is the water of life. In the gospel of John 7:37 he says, “Whoever is thirsty should come to me and drink. As the scripture says, ‘whoever believes in me, streams of life-giving water will pour out from his heart.”

In today’s gospel taken from John 4:4-42, Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink, “Give me a drink.” But realizing that Jesus was a Jew, the woman replied, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman for a drink.” In those days, Jews used nothing in common with Samaritans. But Jesus had seen a woman, a daughter of God in dire need for salvation. Her life was dry. She had five failed marriages. Her self esteem had reached an all-time low. She was alienated from society and any thought of her thirst being quenched was hopeless. Her life was so bad she had to go to the Well when no one else was around in order to escape her feelings of guilt and the ridicule of others. The unnamed Samaritan woman was thirsty. A thirst could be physical or spiritual. Often it is both as in the case of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus by Jacob’s Well. Physically she was thirsty, thirsting for water, and that brought her to the Well day after day. But spiritually she was also thirsty, an inner thirst which drove her from one man to another and for which she hasn’t found any satisfaction. By the time she met Jesus she was in her sixth marriage, and yet she said to Jesus “I have no husband,” indicating that she was probably already looking for the seventh.

In biblical interpretations, numbers are often significant. According to the biblical symbolism of numbers, six is a number of imperfections, of lack, of deficiency. The woman in her sixth marriage was therefore, in a situation of lack and deficiency. On the other hand, the number Seven symbolically is a number of perfection, completion, finality and sufficiency. Jesus came to her as the Seventh Man in her life. She encounters him and finally experiences the satisfaction her soul thirsts for. Jesus made her feel good about herself because he believed in her and forgave her. She felt unworthy, but Jesus restored her sense of worth by asking her to help him. She thirsted no more as she became whole again. The Seventh Man, Jesus opened up a new era for her.

Dearest beloved, I want us to understand that by engaging the Samaritan woman in a conversation Jesus broke two Jewish laws, one, a man must be in the company of others before he can talk to a woman. This is the reason why his disciples, on returning from buying food, were perplexed that he was talking with a woman all by himself. The second law also forbade a Jew from talking to a Samaritan, a Gentile. Jews did not regard the Samaritans. They avoided sharing anything in common with them. That’s why the woman’s reply to Jesus was, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman for drink?” But Jesus broke those two laws anyway in order to accomplish a higher good. He disregarded a discriminatory racial law that looked down on others for not belonging to the so called superior race. He also disregarded the gender law that disfavors women. And by this single action, the Lord demonstrates that all human beings- male and female are equal. He demonstrates that all men and women are God’s children. He demonstrates that though we are many and different-different racial origins, difference backgrounds, different tongues, skin-color etc, we are one human family, God’s family, God’s children created in God’s image. Jesus demonstrates that he is the fountain of life by giving new life to the Samaritan woman. He engaged her in a discussion which was against the law; asked her for a drinking water which was against the law, forgave her sins which was a blasphemy to the Jews who claimed that only God can forgive sins. Jews did not believe in the divinity of Jesus. Finally, the Lord upheld her dignity as a woman and upheld the dignity of all women.

Jesus also broke another law by going into the Gentile city and spending few days with the Samaritans. He was not supposed to do that. Remember that Jews had nothing in common with the Gentiles. But the Lord broke all racial barriers and put up residence with those considered as “outcasts;” he ate with them, slept in their homes, lived in their neighborhood, preached to them, performed miracles among them, quenched their thirsts, restored their human dignity, and offered them salvation which the Jews considered to be exclusively theirs. Jesus broke these Jewish laws for a higher law. He broke the human law in order to keep the divine law. He is indeed the Fountain of life. The Samaritan woman found the Lord and thirsted no more. Are you thirsty? You too can encounter the Lord. Encounter him today first at the proclamation of the Word and in the Eucharist and thirst no more! In Revelation 21:6, the Lord says, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.”

Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent, Year A

Listen to the Beloved Son of God

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Second Sunday of Lent, Year A

St. Gerard Majella Church, Baton Rouge, LA

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Folks, it’s the transfiguration of Jesus. And on this fine morning, Jesus took three of his friends, Peter, James and John to a high mountain for a prayer session. By the way, the mountain is a place of encounter with God. Moses encountered God on the mountain, so did Elijah. While on the mountain, Jesus went into serious prayer, and as he was praying, the spiritual eyes of his three friends were opened and they saw the glimpse of reality which their physical eyes would never had seen. They saw two great figures of the Old Testament, Moses and Elijah having a conservation with Jesus. The whole atmosphere was so perfect. The environment was unspeakably peaceful, gloriously beautiful, profoundly amazing and indescribably awesome. Their perfect longing and yearning were instantaneously met. Oh! The experience was so good that Peter did not want to let go of the place. He did not want to depart from that presence. So, he pleaded with Jesus: “Lord, is is (really) good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Peter was simply telling Jesus that he did not want to walk away from the place and from the experience. But while he was still speaking, the Father spoke from heaven and said: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to him.” 

The presence of Moses, Elijah and the voice of the Father confirming the beloved Sonship of Jesus were all the confirmation they needed to believe even more strongly and boldly that Jesus was indeed the long awaited Messiah. Jesus is the expected Savior, that was why he was the only one whose “face shone like the sun and his clothes became as dazzling white as light.” Moses was the one who received the Law from God on Mount Sinai. Elijah was regarded as the greatest of the OT prophets. So, on this mountaintop experience of Jesus, there was the Law and the Prophets in conversation with Jesus Christ the New Testament/Covenant. And this supports Jesus’ declaration in Matthew 5:17: “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” So, the Old Testament and the Father in heaven have confirmed that Jesus is indeed the long awaited Messiah. Because he is the true Messiah, the Father urges us to:  “Listen to him.”

A Christian by definition is a follower of Jesus Christ. A Christian is the person who listens to Jesus because you cannot follow someone you are unwilling to listen to. And listening to Jesus entails obeying his commands. Listening to the Lord also entails keeping silence. Psalm 46: 10 says, “Be still (be silent) and know that I am God.” God is not a noise maker. When God speaks, he tends to whisper.

This is 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 showcase 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 alert people that we are fasting. He wants us to give alms to pray,  and to fast. But alms-giving, fasting and prayer are not the goal. They are not the end. They are means to the end.

When we talk about prayer, many Christians have a good understanding of what it means, and many Christians do pray. When we speak about almsgiving, they understand that it means sharing their resources with the less fortunate ones in the society. But when the topic of fasting is mentioned, many of us have a very narrow view of what it means. We regard fasting only as abstinence from food. But apart from fasting from food, there are also attitudes and behavior we need to fast from. At the transfiguration of Jesus, the Father asks us to listen to his beloved Son. And during this Lent season, the Son is definitely asking us to do the following:

Fast from judging others; feast on God that dwells in them

Fast from emphasizing our differences, instead feast on our oneness

Fast from the darkness around us; feast on the light of Christ

Fast from thoughts of illness, feast on the healing power of God

Fast from words that polite; feast on words that purify

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude

Fast from deep seated anger; feast on the joy of the Lord that is our strength 

Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism

Fast from worry; feast on trust and confidence in God

Fast from guilt; feast on God’s forgiveness and mercy

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation

Fast from stress and from working without rest; feast on self-care

Fast from hostility; feast on letting go and on friendship

Fast from bitterness; feast on pardon

Fast from selfishness; feast on compassion for others

Fast from discouragement; feast on seeing the good

Fast from religious apathy; feast on enthusiasm and passion for the Lord

Fast from suspicion; feast on goodness

Fast from gossip; feast on spreading the good news

Fast from seeing evil everywhere; feast on the ever presence of God 

Fast from noise; feast on quiet silence

Fast from talking; feast on listening

Fast from hate; feast on love

Fast from always trying to be in control; feast on involving others

Fast from sin; feast on righteousness and uprightness 

(Culled from Fr. Tom Clark)

Jesus Is Put To The Test

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the First Sunday of Lent, Year A

St. Gerard Majella Church

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Temptation is an enticement, opinion, or suggestion to commit evil. In itself, temptation is no sin, but yielding to it is. Temptation tests our faith in God, and our victory or defeat in it will determine where we stand with God. 

Today, being the First Sunday of Lent, the Church presents us with the Gospel story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. Jesus, who had largely lived a private life with Mary, was about to begin his public ministry. In preparation for his mission, he was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. To stay strong, Jesus prayed and fasted for forty days and forty nights, and thereafter, he was hungry. The devil, aware of Jesus’ needs, showed up to tempt him. Now, the threefold temptation was directed at Jesus’ core: his identity, his fidelity, and the covenant God made with the Israelites. Knowing that Jesus was hungry, the devil approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” The devil cleverly wanted Jesus to prove that he is the Son of God by performing acts that would gravely betray that very same identity. There was nothing essentially wrong in turning stones into bread, but if Jesus had done that, he would have used his powers selfishly. He would have obeyed the devil. And obedience to the devil is disobedience to God. But Jesus was even more clever to say to the devil: “One does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Jesus knew his identity all too well and didn’t need to prove it to the devil by doing the devil’s will. Do we know our identity? Do we really know who we are? Do we know that each of us is a beloved child of God? If you know your identity- that you are a beloved child of God, then don’t worry what the naysayers say about you. What they say you are, what they say in their gossip about you, is not who you are. You are God’s beloved! That’s your identity. As long as you act as such, you have nothing to worry about. 

Having lost out in the First Temptation, the devil took Jesus to the holy city and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and then said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” But Jesus responded: “You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” The Second Temptation looks like the First: “If you are the Son of God…” Again, the devil wanted Jesus to prove a point to him. Prove that you are God’s Son by jumping from the pinnacle of the Temple and then allow the angels to catch you and prevent you from dashing your foot against a stone. Jesus is God’s Special Son. He has powers, but doing what the devil suggested would amount to two things: putting God to the test and obeying the command of the devil. Some Christians have unreasonable faith. Some are so naive in the practice of their faith. Such people believe in a God of magic, not in the God of miracles. I worship a miracle-working God, not a magic-performing God.  A story is told of a young man who jumped into a lion’s cage in the zoo because the Bible promises that nothing harmful can happen to God’s children. It’s possible his soul went to heaven, but his body was a special lunch for the lions.

In the Third Temptation, the devil tests whether Jesus will uphold Israel’s covenantal relationship with God. After showing Jesus the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, he said to him: “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this point, Jesus rebuked the devil: “Get away, Satan! It is written, the Lord your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” The devil was biting more than he could chew. He actually wanted the Son of God to bow down and worship him. But Jesus showed him the exit door of his life and asked him to close the door behind him. Jesus wants the whole world to acknowledge him as the Lord and Savior, but he cannot achieve that by worshipping a false god. As children of God, are we allowed to pursue our goals by whatever means? Does the end justify the means? Are we supposed to use every available means- good or bad- to achieve our objectives? Jesus says no! The devil’s shortcut shortens and cuts our peace and joy. His shortcut leads to misery, sorrow, and eternal damnation.

Jesus was tempted with selfish pleasure, with fame, and with power, but in all of them, he showed his mettle, his faithfulness, and commitment to his Father. Are those three things: pleasure, fame, and power, not what everyone in the world is scrambling for, and most times, at the detriment of others, their faith and relationship with God? Now, we mustn’t regard Jesus’ temptation as an outward experience. These temptations did not happen outwardly, but inwardly. Each of them was a struggle that went on in Jesus’ heart, mind, and soul. It’s not possible to have a mountain from where all the kingdoms of the earth could be viewed and seen. The Three Temptations were an inner struggle that happened to Jesus when he was most vulnerable and in need. Like Jesus, we are all tempted. And just as Jesus triumphed over all the enticements of the evil one, we too can. When the tempter calls you, call upon Jesus. When he offers you bread (which stands for bodily pleasure), seek the Bread of Life. When he offers you fame, ask for the humility and simplicity of Jesus. When the tempter shows you the shortcut to prosperity, ease, and comfort,  follow the Lord’s long road to true freedom.  But if you are too weak, too tired to pray, if your heart is torn in pieces and you seem confused, scream aloud and say: “Take me to the King.”