Why do you worry when you have a very big God?

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for the eight Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Holy Names of Jesus & Mary Catholic Church

Memphis, Tennessee

February 27, 2011

Philippians 4:6-7, says, “Do not worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Psalms 55: 22 says, “Cast your all your burden upon the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Has there been a time in your life when things were so overwhelming that you could not sleep? Have there been times when you were so preoccupied with a problem that you were not able to function effectively well? Have there been issues in your life that dominated your thought? You thought about them all morning, all day, and all night, and sometimes you were lost in thought? If you have experienced any of these, then you have known worry and anxiety.

Being worried and being concerned do not mean the same thing. There is a difference! Concern leads to action. But worry is a dead-end street. It goes and leads nowhere. You can be concerned about something like preparing for retirement, saving for college, buying a new house or a new car, and you begin to make plans about these concerns. You can be concerned about your health, and you begin to eat healthy and exercise more regularly. You can be concerned about your children and you begin to get more involved in their lives, devoting more time to them and exposing them to the way of the Lord. But it is when your concerns become all- consuming and debilitating that you slip into worry. If the concerns of life are dominating us totally, affecting our relationship with God and others negatively, and affecting our productivity in our jobs, affecting our sleep at night, and affecting us physically, emotionally and spiritually then we have a big problem with worry and anxiety.

Worry or anxiety is a universal phenomenon; it is the greatest thief of joy and peace. Our Lord Jesus Christ in the gospel of John 14: 1-2 says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me, for in my Father’s house there are so many mansions.” And in today’s gospel from Matthew 6:25, the Lord says, “I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”

Sometimes we scorn at people who tell us not to worry. We argue that it is easy to say that and a lot harder to do it. Recently a friend said to me, “One day a friend of mine called to tell me what she has been going through. After listening to her, I told her not to worry, instead should cast her problems unto the Lord because he cares a lot about her. As soon as I said that, she cut the call, I tried calling back severally; but she refused to pick my call; and other efforts to reach her failed because she refused to pick my calls. When eventually I met her in person, I asked why she was refusing to pick my call, and she bluntly said, “I hated and still hate your advice. I don’t want to hear that again please!” Some of us feel the same way towards people who tell us not to worry. We feel that people telling us not to worry do not understand our problem because if they did they too would also be worried.

But in today’s gospel, Jesus condemns worry and says that it is worthless and folly because it shows a lack of confidence in the ability of God. We worry because we doubt God. We worry because we walk by sight and not by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “We walk by faith and not by sight.” We worry so much because our relationship with God is not unyielding. We worry because we are serving the god of worry; we worry because we are serving the god of materialism. We worry because we are not impeccably right with God. We worry because we are serving two masters, and we are not sure if any of them will come to our rescue. Jesus himself says in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” We worry because we don’t really know the God we serve. We have not entered into an intimate relationship with him. Our service of him is halfway.

Dearest beloved, worry is useless. Worry does not resolve any problem. Worry does not add any moment to our life-span instead it shortens our life. Worry is a gravedigger. Worry is the shovel of the gravediggers. Worry is a quick race to the bottom. Worry is wrong because it focuses on the wrong issues. The Lord says, “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” As I said before, worry is worthless because it keeps one’s attention on the wrong things. For instance, a student gets so worried about graduation party that he or she misses the joy that comes from the accomplishment of graduating. Some of us worry so much about the winter weather that they don’t enjoy the present weather and do not enjoy the Christmas vacation with family. Some ladies worry so much about looking good that they are so absorbed with themselves and cannot even enjoy the people around them. Some of us worry so much about not having enough money that we fail to enjoy the journey of life and what life offers us at the present. We worry about old age that we don’t get to enjoy now that we are still young. We worry about death that we don’t get to enjoy the life we have now.

Worry fuddles our thinking. Trapped in the state of worry, we often look at situations with a magnifying glass which makes things bigger than they really are. Worry makes our situations bigger than God. Why worry when you have a very big God? The book of Isaiah 41:9-10 says, “…you are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my victorious and righteous hand.”

Worry is irreligious because it makes us loose sight of who we really are and who we belong to. Our Savior Jesus Christ tells us today that God is more than capable of taking care of us. God is abundantly able to guide us through. Why worry when we have a very big God? It is our God that cares for the birds, the flowers, and the animals. Therefore Jesus asks, “Are you not more important than they?...If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you…?” Worry belittles our God. When we worry we only show that we are less important to God than birds, flowers and animals. But we are not. We are more important. God takes care of us. Psalm 68:20 says, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior who daily bears our burden.” Psalm 37:23-24 says, “Those whose steps are guided by the Lord, whose way God approves may stumble, but they will never fall, for the Lord upholds their hand.” Proverbs 16: 3 says, “Commit to the Lord your works and your plans will succeed.” Our heavenly Father knows all that we need. “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” Do not worry about tomorrow, for God knows tomorrow. In one of my Facebook updates I wrote, “We don't know what tomorrow holds for us, but we know who holds tomorrow. The one who holds tomorrow is no other person but the good God who loves us so much. Because the one who holds tomorrow is good, we have nothing to fear. Because the one who holds tomorrow loves us so much, we can set aside fear and embrace hope, hope in God who loves us and cares for us.”

Worry shows we don’t really trust God. Worry is as a result of doubt. Even after talking to God in prayer, we still feel we are not heard. We therefore doubt, and when we doubt, we fret and worry. The epistle of James 1: 6-8 says, “But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” Worry is essentially a sin. By getting worried, we demonstrate two things- either God is not able and capable or God does not care. But scripture tells us that God is abundantly able. Ephesians 3: 20-21 says, “Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ever ask or imagine, by the power at work within us. To him be glory…forever and ever. Amen.” And 2 Corinthians 9: 8 says, “God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you will have abundance for every good work.” In Matthew 19: 26, Jesus says, “…with God all things are possible.” God also cares for us. Psalm 46:1-2 says, “God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in trouble.” And from 1 Peter 5: 7 we read, “Cast all your worry on to him, because he cares for you.”

Dearest beloved, worry is a wasted energy. There is nothing productive about worry. It is a journey to nowhere. It hinders us rather than help us. Worry leads to fear and can eventually paralyze us. Worry is like a cancer; it gradually eats up the faith of a believer. Worry can lead to agnosticism, apostasy and even atheism. Worry weakens physically, emotionally and spiritually. It robs one of happiness, peace and serenity. It affects one’s health; it causes ulcer, high blood pressure, heart problems, depression, crushing headaches, and colon distress. Worry makes it difficult and sometimes impossible for us to address the issues we should be doing something about.

To avoid worry, Jesus urges us “To seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things (food, clothes, house, money, jobs, life-partner etc) will be given you.” Seeking God first who is goodness ultimately leads to finding the good things of life. And finding the good things of life eliminates worry and anxiety that usually come as a result of their lack. To eliminate worry, St. Paul says in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

St. Paul tells us to confront worry by prayer. Pray about everything, St. Paul says. There is no situation, circumstance, or problem that cannot be brought before our loving Father. Rather than talk to ourselves, we should talk to God. Worry is talking to one self; but prayer is talking to God. Rather than fret, talk to God. Instead of wasting your sleep, keep watch in prayer. Rather than waste your tears, pour out those tears at the feet of Jesus. Rather than put your hands on the head as you walk around in your house looking dejected, hold the hand of the Lord. Last year, I wrote on my Facebook page, “Hold that Hand! Grip that hand reaching out to you! Hold the hand of God. This life doesn't last forever. Don't wait any longer. You're better off holding God's hand. Are you miserable? Hold that hand! Is your life dark and cold, then, hold that hand. By holding that hand, things will get better. The hand of Jesus is your sunlight, your peace, your morning, your love and everything. Come, let's hold that hand, it's the hand of the Lord.”

Finally, I will not forget to tell you that worry or anxiety can be conquered by gathering with other members of the Church in the worship of God and in the sharing of the Word of God. The book of Hebrews 10:25 says, “Do not give up the habit of gathering together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another all the more as you see the Day is drawing near.” And Jesus himself said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three gather together in my name, I am there among them.” If we stop worrying, instead start turning to God with an unyielding trust of a child to the father, then, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Remember, the Scripture did not tell us that all our problems will go away. We are not told that we will immediately comprehend the problems we are going through. We are not told that by turning to God, all human problems will go away. No! earthly life comes with the cross. The Lord himself said in Matthew 16: 24, “If any of you wants to be my disciple, you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.” In Luke 14:27, he says, “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” So turning to God does not exterminate life’s problems. But by turning to God, worry is replaced by faith; anxiety gives way to peace; doubt is replaced by trust and confidence, and fear gives way to hope. With that we can loudly and confidently say with Job, “I know my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25).

May the Mother of Perpetual Help pray for us!

“I have not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them”

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for the 6^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

Holy Names of Jesus & Mary Catholic Church

Memphis, TN, USA

February 13, 2011

In Matthew 5:7, Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

In Romans 3:28 & 31, St. Paul says, “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” “Do we then nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.”

There is a story of two Buddhist monks who were travelling along a muddy road in torrential rain. They came upon a beautiful girl who was unable to cross to the other side of the road due to the mud. The first monk lifted her in his arms and carried her over. The girl expressed her gratitude for the help rendered to her. The two monks continued on their way. As they continued in the journey, neither of them spoke until they neared their destination. Then the second monk who watched as his brother monk lifted the girl to the other side of the road spoke out, “We monks don’t go near women. And why did you lift that girl over the mud? See, I don’t like the way you carried her!” The monk who lifted the girl said to him, “I left the girl back there in the road, but you are still carrying her.”

Dearest beloved, this story exemplifies what Jesus is teaching us in today’s Gospel. We cannot base our morality on law alone. It is on the direction of our heart that we will ultimately be judged. If our heart is in the right place, deeply rooted in God, we will not even think of calling our brother or sister a fool, let alone killing him or her. If our hearts are pure, we will not allow ourselves to be trapped in day-dreaming, dreaming lustfully about a woman or a man we met on our way. A pure heart does not engage in “a mental undressing of the other,” that means using the mind to strip a woman or a man naked and then going into a fantasy of romance. A heart that is pure will not indulge in that let alone commit adultery. No wonder Jesus says in Matthew 5: 8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” The obedience of the law should and must go beyond the mere external observance of the law.

Jesus says he had not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it. By this Jesus means he came to bring out the real meaning of the Law. Jesus came to give the law a meaning. He came to explain the full meaning of the law and to also teach us how the law should be obeyed. When we take a look at the Ten Commandments which are the foundation of all law, we can see that their whole meaning can be summed up in one word- respect or reverence. Reverence for God, reverence for God’s name, reverence for God’s day, respect for parents, respect for life, respect for property, respect for personality, respect for the truth, respect for another person’s good name, respect for oneself so that wrong desires may never master us. These are the fundamental principles behind the Ten Commandments- reverence for God, respect for others and for ourselves. (Idea from William Barclay’s “The Gospel of Matthew”, Vol. 1, Revised Edition)

Jesus says he has not come to destroy the law and the prophets but to fulfill them. The old law states “You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.” But Jesus goes even further by saying “Whoever is angry with his brother (or sister) will be liable to judgment.” We should not be so angry with our brother, or sister or spouse to the point of cursing them out. James 3: 9 says, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who have been made in the image of God.” We should not be so angry with someone to the point of decimating the person’s character. It is not only the bullet or the dagger that kills, the tongue also can kill. Proverbs 18: 21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” With the tongue, we can destroy a family, a church and even set a community ablaze. With the tongue, a long time friendship can be scattered. The tongue is the tool of saying the truth and also the tool of spreading lies and gossips. The killers are not only those who kill with guns and bullets, the gossips and busybodies are part of it. In Romans 1:29, St. Paul lists gossips as one of serious sins. Then Proverbs 20:19 says, “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man or woman who talks too much.” Proverbs 11: 12-13 says, “A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but trustworthy person keeps a secret.” The Bible also tells us in Proverb 16: 18 that “A perverse person stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.”

So the teaching about murder includes murder of one’s character, reputation and integrity. To such people, the Lord says, “You will be liable to fiery Gehenna.” As human beings, people, events, situations etc can upset us. But Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Out of uncontrolled anger, you may destroy yourself or others. Out of uncontrolled anger, murderous words could be uttered. Certain words can also kill. The gun could destroy the human body, but there is another murder that breaks both the body and the spirit. It is the murder of the tongue sometimes engineered by uncontrolled anger. James 3: 5 says, “The tongue is the smallest part of part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest it set on fire by a small spark” The murder of the tongue can recreate someone in the eyes of others. The murder of the tongue can give a different identity to someone; it can even give a new name and title to someone. The person walks about thinking that all is well, not knowing that someone else has already destroyed his or her reputation, thereby giving him another image before others.

The Lord says he has not come to destroy the law and the prophets but to fulfill them. The old Law says, “You shall not commit adultery.” But Jesus explained the law deeper by saying, “Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Adultery is a gross violation of the solemn promise made between a man and his wife before God and before God’s people. It is a violation of trust. Ultimately, it is a sin against God the Institutioner of marriage; it is a sin against Jesus the Redeemer of marriage; it is a sin against the Holy Spirit the Sanctifier of marriage and whose Temples we are; it is a sin against humanity too and human beings’ sense of decency. Adultery breaks the matrimonial bond. It wreaks the spiritual foundation of marriage. It makes nonsense the sanctity of marriage. When a man and his wife indulge in sexual relationship, it is not sex but a love-making. Adultery rejects that. Adultery is a lie.

Adultery is an illicit romance between a person who is married and a person other than the person’s spouse. It is the sin of infidelity. And do you know that adultery is not only a violation of marital fidelity between a man and woman? Adultery can also occur in our relationship with God. 2 Timothy 2:13 has already told us that God will remain faithful to us even if we are unfaithful. Unfaithfulness to God is adultery. We are in a relationship of love with Jesus Christ. Hosea 2:19 says, “I will betroth you to myself forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.” In 2 Corinthians 11:2, St. Paul says, “For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I have betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

Dearest beloved, we are also in a relationship of love with Jesus Christ our Redeemer. So any unfaithfulness to him is a form of adultery. Scripture tells us that Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom and we are the bride. We are in a spiritual union of marriage with Jesus Christ. This marriage with the Lord occurred during our baptism. At baptism we promised to be faithful to him; at confirmation, we promised to rather die than betray him. We promised to die in defense of him. And each time we receive the Eucharist, we demonstrate we are still faithful to him. Therefore any unfaithfulness to him is adultery. Fornication is adultery; unlawful divorce is adultery; false oat is adultery; telling lies is adultery; deception is adultery; incest adultery; homosexual behavior is adultery; stealing is adultery; murder is adultery, the murder of the tongue is also adultery. Every sin is adultery since every sin is unfaithfulness to God. Adultery in human marriage breaks the promise of fidelity made at marriage. In the same vein, sin breaks the promise to be faithful made at baptism.

Jesus has come not to destroy the law and the prophets, but to deepen their meaning. He came to explain the meaning of the law. The Lord came to show us that in actual life the law means being pure in heart, having reverence for God and respect for all human persons. This reverence and respect do not merely consist in obeying a litany of rules and regulations, but in possessing a pure heart. Reverence to God and respect to people consist not in burnt offering, but in mercy, not legalism but in love, not in a long prohibitions, but in molding ones life on the beautiful commandment to love. The new rule is no longer “Thou shall not…” but “Thou shall.” The emphasis is on doing good with a pure heart. In the long run good will conquer evil. Keeping the letters of the law is not enough; being pure in heart is what really counts. Remember, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

We are the salt and the light of the world

We are the salt and the light of the world

Fr. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily for the 5^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

African Catholic Community in Memphis

February 6, 2011

In the John 8: 12 Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

In Matthew 5:14-16, the Lord says to his followers, “You are the light of the world…” (Therefore) let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

When I was going through the initial formation to become a religious priest, I got a call one warm afternoon from a high school girl named Loretta. As soon as I picked her call, she said, “Brother Marcel, please I have a burning question I want to ask you.” “Go ahead!” I said to her. “Who is a Christian and how do we know who is a Christian?” she asked. For a moment, I was little bit rattled by her question because I did not know the reason for the question. I have been close to her and her family for about two years, so for a moment I said to myself, “I hope I have not done or said anything unconsciously that scandalized her, hence the question?” Well, I still answered her question. I told her that a Christian is that person who is kind, merciful, honest, god-fearing, compassionate, tolerant, who struggles to overcome his or her weaknesses in order to become better than anyone else. I also told her that a Christian is that person who tries to be like Jesus. I concluded by saying to her, “If you want to know who a Christian is, then look for those virtues.” Then I asked her why she asked the question in the first place. She now told me about a woman I also know. She was childless, but was living with one small boy. This woman virtually slept in church. She attended every activity in church, and was even a staunch member of a Catholic prayer ministry. She was always with her rosary and her Bible. Sometimes she dressed like a nun, and you can easily mistake her to be one. But in all these, she was unbelievably wicked to the little boy living with her. She starved him regularly at the least provocation, and even made him sleep outside the house sometimes. There was nothing Christian with the manner she treated the boy. She maltreated and hurt him so bad that he looked so emaciated. He would give him heavy loads to carry for her and made him walk a long distance to where she had a shop. I tried once to talk to her about her cruel treatment of the boy but she scolded and warned me sternly to stay clear. This woman (usually called Mama Ibe) was everything to this boy (his name is Ibe) but good and caring. She wasn’t a salt and a light to him. So the young Loretta wondered how Mama Ibe could spend so much time in church praying and listening to the gospel preached yet maltreated the small boy living with her so badly. I remember at the end of the conversation she said to me, “If what you just said is who a Christian is, then Mama Ibe is not one. She is simply deceiving herself and others.”

There is another story of a father who was teaching his son what a Christian should be like. He taught his son that a Christian is the salt of the earth and the light of the world and few other things. At the end of the lesson, the father realized that he has dug a big hole for himself because the little boy then asked him, “But daddy, how come I have never met one of these Christians?”

Dearest sisters and brothers like Loretta and the little boy our Lord Jesus Christ challenges us today with two very vivid images of what it means to be a Christian. The Lord says to us, “You are the salt of the earth,” “You are the light of the world.”

Let’s look at salt for a moment. Salt is something that is very common, and unless for medical reasons, it’s something we put in everything we cook. Of all the seasonings we use for cooking, salt is the most important. Without salt in a food, it lacks real taste. Salt makes our food taste better. It is a seasoning that enhances the flavor of food. Jesus wants us to be the seasoning that spices up life. Life is not all about gloom, doom and fear. Wherever there’s gloom, we are to sow hope, hope in the Lord. Christians should be the most optimistic people in the world. We are optimistic because He lives. Because our Redeemer lives, we can face tomorrow. We are optimistic because we have Jesus in our lives. With Jesus in our lives, we will always rejoice and be glad. 1 John 5:12 says “Whoever has the Son has life.” Jesus wants us to bring hope where there is cynicism. The Lord wants us to sow joy where there is sadness. In our depressed world where so many people are depressed, the Christian man or woman should be serene and full of life. And by your serenity, you teach and show others the Reason (Jesus) for your peace and stability. Even in the face of trial and tribulation, the Lord wants us to speak with Job in Job 19:25, “I know my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” Salt brings out the taste of food. Our Lord wants us to be the flavor that brings out the best in everyone. Jesus wants us to bring out the best in us, and the best in the world he has created. He wants us to give human life a meaning.

In the ancient world, salt was also used as preservatives. Before refrigeration and canning became the order of the day, meat and fish were preserved either dried or smoked or it was heaped with salt. Salt was therefore used as preservatives, to preserve meat and fish for a long time. It was used to preserve and keep them fresh and free from corruption. Dearest beloved, Jesus wants us to preserve the world from becoming bad. The Lord wants us to preserve the family, to preserve human life, to preserve the church, to preserve our bodies, to preserve truth. Jesus wants us to be preservatives that can preserve the biblical standard of morality. He wants us to have a certain antiseptic influence on life. We must influence the world and not the other way round. In this fleeting time we have, we must strive to be preservatives, preserving those age-long truths and faith of our Fathers. We should not lower the standard Jesus has set for us just for us to belong in this crazy world. We can accommodate the other without tolerating behaviors that go contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are called to be the cleansing antiseptic in our communities. Our presence should bring about the defeat of evil, corruption, and immorality.

Salt was also used as curative. It has some medicinal value. Too much of salt can trigger high blood pressure, but salt deficiency can cause so many other diseases too. Before modern medicine, salt was used as antiseptic. Salt was often poured into an open wound to clean any impurities. Salt cures. By asking us to be the salt of the earth, Jesus is also asking us to be healers. He wants us to heal and cure the brokenhearted, the depressed, the lonely, the hungry, the bereaved, and those who experience the tragedy of life. As followers of Christ, we should not be indifferent to the pain of the other just because it is not happening to us. When one person suffers, we all suffer. Remember, we are the Body of Christ. The pain in the hand affects the entire body. The tragedy of the other should be the tragedy of all. Indifference is not a virtue. Silence is golden but not when you notice discrimination and maltreatment of another person. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.” We are called to be curative agents, agents of healing. We are to spread the message of hope and forgiveness, the message of our Savior who heals all who are hurt and wounded. The best cure we can render to our offenders is forgiveness. Salt also creates thirst. We are called to make people thirst for Jesus, thirst for righteousness and goodness. We are called to season the world with the flavor of grace, mercy, kindness, friendship and decency.

Jesus also said we are the light of the world, and we are to put our light on the lamp-stand so that everyone in the house can see it. So the Lord is not only asking us to preserve the world from deteriorating, he also wants us to influence the world positively, to shed light on the darkness of the world. But remember that the light that radiates or shines from us is the light of Christ. We have no light of our own. Psalm 36: 9 says “For you (Lord) are the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.” So what we say or do can allow the light of Christ to shine or hinder or dim it from shinning brightly enough. In the gospel of John 9:5, Jesus says “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” By faith we believe that Jesus is still present in the world. He is still with us and in us. So, if his light is not shinning out, then we are the reason why it is not. As I already said, our words and action can allow the light of Christ to shine out or hide it from shinning.

Now when our Lord said we must be light, what exactly does he mean? Let’s remember that a light is something that is easily seen. The houses in Palestine in the time of Jesus were very dark because they had just one circular window not more than eighteen inches across. Normally the light stood on the lamp-stand. During the day when everyone is going out, for safety’s reason, the light was taken away from its lamp-stand and put under an earthen bushel so that it could burn without risk until they come back. The reason why the light is not always put off is because it was not an easy task to put on the light. There was no electricity or matches then. The primary duty of the light of the lamp was to be seen.

Christianity is something that should be seen. A Christian should be seen and known. There can be nothing like secret discipleship. Our Christianity should be visible to all. Have you ever noticed the way some Catholics pray when they are in a restaurant? They virtually bury their heads between their lap and under the table as they rush in making the sign of the cross. Obviously they do not want those around to notice that they are praying. What a shame! Do not forget the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:33, “Whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.” Again, Christianity should not be visible only in the Church. A Christianity that stops at the church is worthless. A Catholic should be a Catholic in the factory, in the restaurant, in the workshop, in the classroom, in the kitchen, in the office, in the golf-course, in the hospital, in the library, and everywhere. St Augustine once closed his Mass with these words, “I am about to lay aside this book and you are soon going away, each to your own business. It has been good for us to share our common light, good to have enjoyed ourselves, good to have been glad together. When we part from one another, let us not depart from Him.”

Dearest beloved, a light is a guide. The Lord wants us to be a shinning example to others. Light exposes and reveals. The light of Christ exposes our need for salvation. We are also to expose and reveal to others their need of salvation of the Savior. The light of Christ shinning in and through us reveals where the dangers are and where safety, direction and new life can be found. Since light is a guide, and Jesus wants us to be the light of the world, it means that the Lord wants us to be the guide of the nations. We are to be the voice of the Lord speaking the words of prophet Isaiah in 55:4, “Say to those who are fearful hearted, do not be afraid, your God is coming to destroy your enemies, he will come to save you.”

Today’s gospel is a continuation of last Sunday’s gospel which was the Beatitude. After giving that sermon which is regarded as the greatest sermons of Jesus Christ, the Lord continues today by saying, “You are the salt of the earth”, “You are light of the world.” And I will end my homily by connecting last week gospel reading to today’s gospel reading:

The disciple who is poor in spirit is the light of the world; in humility he radiates the humility of Jesus. Even in your riches and wealth, be humble. Jesus is owner of everything, yet he was humble. Psalm 24: 1 tells us that “The earth and everything in the world belong to God.” In Haggai 2: 8 the Lord says, “The silver and the gold are mine.”

The disciple who mourns and grieves for the faithlessness in the world is the salt of the earth. With passion and zeal for the God, she yearns to give life a meaning.

The disciple who is meek is the light of the world because he lets Jesus and others come first before him. And you know, Jesus, others, and you produce JOY.

The disciple who hungers and thirsts for righteousness is the salt of the earth; salt brings thirst. She thirsts for Jesus and makes others thirst for him as well.

The disciple who is merciful is the light of the world. In this wicked world where there is a great passion for litigation, he shines his guiding light of tolerance and forgiveness.

The disciple who’s clean of heart is the salt of the earth. Salt is a preservative in the time of Jesus. From a clean heart, she strives to preserve truth, honesty and life.

The disciple who is a peacemaker is the light of the world. Deeply rooted in the Prince of peace, he acts not like a peace-breaker or a peace-fakers but a peacemaker.

Finally the faithful servants of the Lord who are the salt of the earth and the light of the world are usually persecuted for their uprightness. But do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot destroy the soul. Remember, our God is coming with vengeance to destroy our enemies. Because you are the salt of the earth, because you are the light of the world, you will preserve your life here and hereafter; your light will also shine till eternity. The good that we do lives after us. At the end of every Mass, the presiding priest says, “Go, our celebration is ended.” With these words we are all sent to go and live out what we have prayed, sung and heard. We are sent forth to go out and add seasoning and flavor to the lives of many, and to let the light of Christ shine through us.

God bless you all!

"Come, Follow Me"

“Come, Follow Me”

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Holy Names of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church

Memphis, Tennessee 

Homily for the 3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

January 23, 2011

Matthew 4: 18-19 says “As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (women).”

In John 8: 12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The Greek story tells us of the first encounter between Socrates and Xenophon. The story says that Socrates met Xenophon in a narrow path and asked if he knew where he can purchase some material things, and if he knew where those material things were made. Xenophon answered in the affirmative. Then Socrates asked again, “Do you know where men are made good and virtuous?” “No” answered the young Xenophon. Socrates then said to him again, “Then, follow me and learn.”

Like Socrates, Jesus too called Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, the Zebedee brothers- James and John to follow him. These men were fishermen who usually spend long hours in the sea looking for fish. Today, Jesus changed all that. The Lord changed their occupation and also their destiny. Some times our occupation in life determines our destiny. Sometimes God changes our occupation in order to change our destiny. These men that Jesus called today became, not fishermen or “fishers” of fish but fishers of men and women. Henceforth, they never spent long hours in the sea, they spent long hours in the Lord’s vineyard. They spent long hours in the field of work looking for men and women to save.

Today’s gospel (from Matthew 4: 12-23) says that Jesus was walking by the lakeside; and as he walked he called Peter and Andrew, James and John. Now do not think that this is the first time Jesus had seen them or the first time they had seen Jesus. From the Gospel of John we learned that some of them were already disciples of John the Baptist. These brothers may have already talked with Jesus, and had already listened to him preach. But today, the Lord demanded that they leave everything behind and follow him. The master demanded that they become his disciples, his servants. And as soon as they were called, they left everything; they left whatever they were doing and followed the one who called them. Simon Peter and his brother Andrew were casting a net into the sea when Jesus called them. The gospel said, “At once they left their nets and followed him.” James and John were in the boat with their father mending their nets when Jesus called them, “and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.” They did not give excuses. They did not say “Master, we are busy now with our careers, we will follow you later.” They did not say “Jesus, we are already tired. We will go home rest, eat, refresh and then come to you.” On hearing the command, “Come, follow me,” they left everything and followed the Lord.

Dearest beloved, the same expression “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men and women” is also addressed to us. The call of Jesus is both universal and personal. Some of us may be saying in our minds, “But we have already come to the Lord, we have already followed him. Is that not the reason why we are in Church?” Some of us may be assuring ourselves now that we have already come to Jesus, that we are already his disciples, that today’s gospel is actually meant for those who are yet to follow him. But following the Lord is an everyday thing. It must be an every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every month, every year experience. If we have answered that call, then we should not look backward. Jesus says in Luke 9: 62 “Anyone who puts his hand on the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.” St. Paul in Philippians 3:13 says to us “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do is I forget what is behind while straining towards what is ahead.” In the gospel of John 12:26, Jesus stresses, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

The Lord has called us to follow him. The Lord’s invitation is the invitation to follow him, and also the invitation to bring others to follow him, “Come, I will make you fishers of men and women.” Salvation is a personal thing; it’s also a universal phenomenon. If you have been saved, bring others to the Lord. If you have tasted the Lord and found that he is good, bring others too to come and taste him. If the joy of the Lord is your strength, bring others to him to also experience his power. If you have seen the light, bring others to experience the light as well. Heaven is so large to contain every one of us. Being fishers of men and women is not exclusively reserved to bishops, priests, religious, deacons etc. It is a universal call that deserves a universal response. The call to come is a call to be a disciple. The Master Jesus has called us to become his disciples. The call in today’s Gospel to leave the boat and fishing is a call to make room for God every day, to build up God’s kingdom instead of building up our own kingdom. When we do that then the prophecy in our first reading is fulfilled, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; and upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone.” When we leave the boat and the fishing every day to make room for God, to build up his kingdom in whatever way we do it, then those who live in darkness will see a great light, and those who live in the land of gloom will experience the light of Christ.

Dearest beloved, deciding to follow the Lord should not scare us. We should not be frightened by what will happen to us if we decide to wear the shoes of witnessing. We should not be scared of the change of lifestyle and the change of philosophy needed to follow the Lord faithfully. Do not be frightened by the thought of making some mistakes. Do not heed to the voice of the Devil telling you that you cannot make it, that you are prone to fall and disappoint the Lord. The disciples that Jesus called today were not immune to failure and disappointment. In the gospel of Matthew 26: 69-75, Peter denied his Master thrice. In the gospel of John 20:24, Apostle Thomas doubted the resurrection of the Lord: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” In the gospel of John 14:5, Thomas again did not understand where his Master’s house is: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” In the same gospel of John 14, verse 8, Philip failed to understand who Jesus’ Father is: “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” In Matthew 19:13, some of the apostles of Jesus rebuked the little children that were brought to Jesus. They were either jealous that the children were getting all the attention from Jesus or they were over-exercising their powers in protecting their Master. In the gospel of Luke 22:24, there was a dispute among the disciples of Jesus as to which of them was considered the greatest. In Luke 22:45, the disciples of Jesus were not able to stay awake and keep watch with Jesus at Gethsemane. In the gospel of Mark chapters 14 and 15 Jesus was abandoned by virtually all his disciples shortly after his arrest; and during his trail before the Council and Pilate he was all alone. All those who called him “Master,” “Lord,” “Rabbi” were no where to be found. In the Gospel of Mark 15: 42-46, the man who came to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus was not one of his 12 disciples; the man who brought down the lifeless body of Jesus from the cross is not Peter or James. The man who wrapped his body with a linen cloth and laid him in the tomb is not Andrew or John. In fact, none of them was even present. They all disappeared in fear. Mark 15: 47 says, “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus were watching and saw where the body of Jesus was placed.” None of the Twelve was present. No wonder it was Mary Magdalene who saw the Resurrected Jesus first. No wonder she was the first to visit the tomb. Of course she knew where he was buried.

From all these references, we can see that the disciples were not always perfect in all their dealings. They had some pitfalls and shortcomings. But their abiding and unyielding faith in Jesus was unquestionable. Their devotion and commitment to their Master and his mission came first in their lives. Some of them later shed their blood for their faith in him. That should be our attitude too. Do not worry about making a mistake; do not be discouraged by your weaknesses. Psalm 138: 8 says, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose and plans for you and me.” Philippians 1: 6 says, “…he who started the good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Though Peter denied Jesus thrice but he ended up as the first pope, the first leader of the church, the man Jesus handed the keys of heaven. Instead of getting scared, think of what the Lord can do for you, with you and in you. Think of his grace that is helping us. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Lord assures us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Beloved in Christ, our Lord called ordinary men to follow him. Following the Lord requires ordinariness, it requires being ordinary and simple. And following Jesus is an ordinary thing too. It is not an esoteric thing. Following Jesus means leaving everything behind in the fourth position and letting the Lord’s agenda comes first, second and third in our lives. I want to assure you that by following the Lord faithfully and everyday, you do not loose anything, instead you gain everything. Walking in the footsteps of the Master makes you a master as well. You become a master of yourself, your emotions and your passions. Walking in the shoes of the Master insures your life here and hereafter. Remember John 14:1-3!

IT IS THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD!

Fr. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

January 9, 2011

Shortly after his election as the pope in 1958, Pope John XXIII spoke of the shock he felt at being elected to the papacy. But within few hours of becoming Pope, he suggested to his advisors that in a matter of days, he would like to visit the large prison, Regina Caeli, on the outskirts of Rome. On getting to the prison, the Roman Pontiff told his prison audience that he had come to them as “Joseph your brother.” “I want my heart to be close to yours; I want to see the world through your eyes.” Today those words of the Servant of the Lord are found inscribed on a plague in the prison chapel.

It wasn’t just what the Pope said that endeared him to the prison inmates and to the rest of world; it was the very fact that he was there, that he had come among them as one of them. His presence and his words touched the hearts of many in his congregation. There were tears in the eyes of some of the prison officers, as well as in those of the prisoners. The Pope saw himself as one of the prisoners. This reminds me of what St. Augustine said on seeing some wayward men; “That’s me over there but for the grace of God.”

Dearest beloved, it’s the baptism of the Lord. Today we celebrate God’s own Son who came into our world as one of us. Today we celebrate the baptism of the Lord; we celebrate the Lord’s association with us sinners. Today, God, the Creator submits himself to the hands of a creature to be baptized. The Lord plunged himself into the waters of Jordon, shoulder to shoulder with sinners, and with that shows himself as our redeeming Lord, our compassionate Savior, our dearest friend and our loving brother. He blessed and sanctified the waters of baptism.

The baptism of the Lord at first glance might seem an odd feast. Since the Church teaches that the sacrament of baptism is necessary for the remission of sin, particularly the sin we inherited from our human progenitors, the Original Sin, and Jesus did not inherit Original Sin, and he lived his entire life without sinning. Therefore he had no need of baptism as we do. Yet, he humbly submitted himself to the baptism of his cousin John the Baptist. By doing that, the Lord provided the example for the rest of us. If he should submit himself to baptism, though he does not necessarily need it, then the rest of us should do likewise after all we are his followers.

But it is important to understand that baptism is not all about forgiveness of sins. Baptism marks a dividing line between the old life and the new life, between waiting for the Messiah and finding him, between living with guilt and living in freedom, between living in a community of law and living in a community of love. By baptism we enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, and it is a relationship of friendship. Baptism initiates us into a life-giving relationship with God. Through it we become adopted sons and daughters of God, members of Christ’s body, children of the Father, and temples of the Holy Spirit. By baptism, we become the people of God; our gathering becomes a gathering of God’s people. We become the family of God, and enjoy fellowship with God. Baptism makes us new creation. It imprints an indelible spiritual mark of ownership. We no longer belong to ourselves, we belong to God. Remember Jesus’ dialogue with Nicodemus in John 3:1-8!

Today we celebrate the baptism of the Lord. At the baptism of the Lord, the Father and the Holy Spirit were present. His baptism reveals the Trinity. No wonder Jesus orders us in Matthew 28: 19 to baptize using the Trinitarian Formula: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” At the baptism, the Holy Spirit was present in the form of a dove: “The Spirit of God was descending like a dove and coming upon him.” And immediately the Father’s big voice was heard from heaven testifying for his beloved and begotten Son, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus was not alone during his baptism. His Father was present. The Holy Spirit was also present. They were present to testify the specialness of Jesus. They were present to glorify the Lord. They were present to tell the world “I have given you everything; I have given you my all.” God has given us his beloved Son, his special Son, his one and only Son. What a great and wonderful event.

Dearest beloved, on the day of our baptism, you too were not alone. Apart from the priest and God’s people who were present when we were baptized, the Triune God- Father, Son and the Holy Spirit was also present. The day of our baptism was the day of our divine recognition. On that very day, Jesus was present, the Holy Spirit was present, the Father was present. The Father’s voice also sounded from heaven, “This is my beloved son; this is my beloved daughter with whom I am well pleased.” Hence baptism is our official recognition as children of God. On that very day, the Father testified for us. On that very day, the Father said to the world and the Devil, this is my beloved son; this is my beloved daughter with whom I am well pleased. On our baptism day, we were set aside for God and for God’s matters. On our baptism day, God declares how special we are. On our baptism day, God claims ownership of us. On our baptism day, he also set some expectation for us. When God declared that he is pleased with us when we were baptized, he expects us to continue to strive to please him.

Dearest beloved, on the day of our baptism, God claims you as his own. We become God’s servants, God’s children, God’s friends, and God’s special “treasure.” We become God’s jewels of inestimable value. On that day, the Holy Spirit rests upon us. On that day we become God’s voice speaking and bringing justice to the nations. We become God’s effigies, that whoever encounters us encounters not us but God living in us.

The First Reading of today is taken from Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7. This is what God says in verses 6 and 7,

“I, the Lord have called you in righteousness; I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you; and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to free captives from prison and to release from dungeon those who live in darkness.”

Beloved in Christ, through baptism God has called us in righteousness. Through baptism God has grasped us by the hand. Through baptism the Lord has formed us into his image that’s why he declared from heaven “Behold my beloved son and daughter with whom I am well pleased.” By baptism God has set before us a covenant he made with us, “You will be my people and I will be your God.” Baptism has made us God’s covenant. Beloved in the Lord, by baptism we have become a light to the nations. We have become the light of Christ; we’ve become the salt of the earth. By baptism, we have become the shining light of Jesus for others to see. The light that emanates from us must shines through the darkness of the world and overcomes it. Like the star that led and guided the Wise Men from the East to the place where Jesus laid, we must become the shinning light of the world, leading and guiding people to God. Baptism has made us intercessors praying for the restoration of sight to the blind, those who are blinded from seeing Jesus as the Truth, the Way and Life. By baptism we have become agents of freedom.

So many people are living in darkness. A lot of our friends, brothers and sisters, colleagues at work are still wandering away in darkness; so many have been blinded by the darkness of night. They need freedom. They deserve freedom. We need to change the dominant beliefs of this era. Jesus is still the Lord! So many people are turning away from God and turning away from themselves. The captives are not necessarily those in jail. There are as a matter of fact many more captives walking around us. Some of them have good jobs and have enormous wealth. Some Christians unfortunately are captives too. If you believe in any of these wild beliefs and practices of this time, then you are in captivity. If you believe that sin does not make you a bad person, you are really in captivity. If you feel no guilt of sin even when in sin, you are in captivity. If you are a Christian who does whatever he or she wants and believes that God will understand, then you are in captivity. God does not understand irresponsible behaviors. The only thing God understands is total obedience to him. Those who wake up from the bed of mortal sin and come to the table of the Lord to receive the Eucharist without making a perfect act of contrition or seeking the sacrament of reconciliation are really in captivity. Let’s be honest with ourselves for once! When was the last time we sought God’s mercy via the sacrament of reconciliation? If you think God understands you are making an eternal mistake. The State does not expect the citizens to act irresponsibly, so do God.

Beloved in Christ, we are God’s special children. Baptism transforms us from being just creatures of God to being God’s children- sons and daughters of God. God was well pleased with us then. God was happy when we first accepted him. The Triune God was present to testify that we belong to him. But is God still pleased with us? When God looks at us, does he still throw a party with the angels? Can God still say “This is my beloved son; this is my beloved daughter with whom I am well pleased?” Baptism makes us God’s children for ever. But sin does not please God. It separates us from God. Unfaithfulness to God does not please God. Though we are God’s children, but is God still pleased with us? Can the voice of the Father resound from heaven testify that he is pleased with us? You know the answer, and I know mine.

In The Shoes Of The Wise

Fr. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara CSsR

Homily on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

January 2, 2011

Let’s keep in mind that the season of Christmas is not yet over. The commercial Christmas is almost over, but the real season of Christmas is still here with us. For Christians, especially Catholics, real Christmas does not end. Sometimes we hear people say “Everyday is not Christmas,” meaning, “everyday is not celebration;” “free gifts and fun do not occur everyday.” But to be sincere with you, everyday should be Christmas. For friends of God, everyday is Christmas; but not Christmas in the sense of partying, exchange of gifts, commercialization that happens before and after Christmas etc, but in the sense of allowing the Word of God take flesh in their hearts. For us, Christmas ought to be an every day experience in the sense of allowing Jesus Christ to be born again in our hearts, in our lives, in our relationships, in our interaction with people, in our relationship with the world. Christmas is everyday for those who receive the Word of God in their hearts and allow the Word to guide their steps, to shape their lives and to form their characters. Remember the words of the Scripture, “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet; and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Dearest beloved, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ. Few days ago, we rejoiced and celebrated the incarnation; few days ago we celebrated the birth of our Redeemer in Bethlehem. On that very day, the angel of the Lord led us to the manger. Today, we celebrate his Epiphany, his manifestation to the nations. The Epiphany of the Lord is the manifestation of the Son of God to the nations of the world. Today we celebrate the Son of God who came from the bosom of the Father to the bosom of a Woman, put on humanity that we might put on divinity. Today, we celebrate Jesus, who became the Son of Man that we might become sons and daughters of God. Today, the Son of God manifests himself as the Son of Man. Today, God shows himself a human being. Today, the King of kings and the Lord of lord shows himself a subject. Today the giver of all things manifests himself as a needy. Today the owner of all riches shows himself a poor child.

Today’s gospel taken from Matthew 2:1-12 tells us that the Magi from the East came to Jerusalem looking for Jesus the new born King. The gospel said they arrived in Jerusalem with a question, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” Jerusalem was a beautiful city. It was a great city of trade and commerce. But when the Magi arrived, they were not interested in beholding the beauty of Jerusalem; they were not interested in trading their treasures for money; all they cared to know was where the child was. They were desperately not looking for silver and gold; they were looking for the owner of silver and gold. They were not looking for the important people in the city- the Lords, the scholars, the lawyers, doctors, the priests, the Levites or even the prophets, they were looking for the Lord of Lords; they were looking for the King of kings; they were looking for whom scholars called the Logos; they were looking for the one lawyers debated about; they were looking for the one all the true prophets spoke about. They were urgently looking for the Savior and their salvation. You know, a discovery of the Savior leads to salvation.

When Herod heard that a new King has been born, he was greatly worried. But when the Magi heard that a King has been born, they were greatly excited and wanted to see him. While they were looking for the King to pay him homage; Herod was looking for him to destroy him. While Herod was worried, the Magi were excited. What the Magi came to do was in accord with today’s responsorial psalm, “Lord, all nations shall fall prostrate before you.” The gospel says “on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage.” Then they opened their treasures, and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They offered the Lord the gift of gold. Gold was a symbol of his kingship and power; the newborn child is going to be a king. They offered him frankincense. Frankincense is a particular kind of incense used in religious ceremonies and worship to give honor to what was considered holy. Frankincense was a symbol of his priesthood. The newborn child is going to be a priest. Finally, they offered him myrrh. Myrrh is an ointment which was used to heal wounds, and to also embalm the bodies of the dead. Myrrh symbolized Christ’s death on the cross. The newborn child is going to die on the cross in order to bring about the healing of God’s people. Myrrh was used to heal; it was given to Jesus showing that Jesus is the healer of the world. Remember John 10:10!

Dearest beloved! There is something about this Bible passage that is easily overlooked or not even considered at all. We always preach about the homage of the Magi and the gifts and the significance of the gifts they offered to the Lord. But we hardly talk about the sequence of what was given. The first thing the Magi gave to the Lord was the offering of their lives. Prostration is a concrete sign of surrender and adoration. Prostration is a symbolic act of total self giving. It is an honest gesture of total abandonment. When they saw the newborn King, the first thing they offered him was not their material treasures. They offered him first what he most desired and cherished- the offering of their lives. St. Paul in Romans 12:1 says “Therefore I urge you brethren, by the mercies of God to offer your bodies (your lives) as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” The best gift we can offer to God especially in the beginning of this New Year is the gift of our lives. The Magi offered themselves first before offering their treasures. And in the real sense of it, God does not need gold; he doesn’t need silver; he does not need any material things. Material things cannot praise the Lord; material things cannot worship our God; gold or frankincense or myrrh cannot adore the King of kings. God does not need material things; but he needs us.

Does it surprise you to hear that God needs us? I am sure you must have heard it before that God does not need anything, that he does not need us. I have heard it too. Well, God needs something, and that is you and I. God is love. God loves us. God also needs us. He needs us to show us his love; he needs us to manifest his love; he needs us to demonstrate his goodness; he needs us to also love him in return. Since God is love, he must always love something and somebody. God needs us to express his love; but we need God to survive. There is a link between God’s love and God’s need. So, God has a need. His need is you; his need is me. His need is every one of us. God’s only need is you and I. So the assertion that God does not need anything is not entirely true. We need God; God needs us. But God does not need us to be God. He only needs us to shower his love, mercy and goodness.

On seeing the Lord, the Magi paid him homage. As we experience the King of kings and the Lord of lords, let’s remember to pay him homage. When your prayers are answered, remember to do him homage. Begin your day doing him homage. Pass through the day doing him homage. End your day doing him homage. Doing nothing does not do him homage; gossip and lies do not do him homage; unfaithfulness and deceit do not do him homage; religious hypocrisy and double-standard life do not do him homage; back-biting, envy, jealous and assassination one’s character do not do him homage; religious indifference and radical moral behavior do not do him homage; narcissism, egotism, pride, and self-aggrandizement do not do him any homage; selfishness, greed and uncontrollable quest for material things do not do him any homage. Leave your house in the morning paying him homage; return home paying him homage; retire to sleep paying him homage. Pay him homage in your relationship; pay him homage in your working place; pay him homage while driving; pay him homage in your discussions and phone conversations; pay him homage in your dealings with others; pay him homage in your eating habit; pay him homage in your drinking habit; pay him homage even in love-making. Love making between a married man and his wife gives glory to God. Healthy sexual relationship can lead to an encounter with God.

Today’s gospel ended this way: “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.” Dearest beloved, it is now time to return home another way. Do not go back to Herod. Part of the reasons why we call the Magi “wise men” is because they had the wisdom to search for their Savior, and when they had found him “returned to their own country by another way.” They had wisdom! Scripture tells us that wisdom is a defense. She was present with God when God created the world. People went to Jerusalem for economic reasons and pleasure. But these men came to Jerusalem seeking for their King. On leaving Jerusalem, they went home another way. They refused to return to Herod the hater of the Savior. But in our own journey, we have returned to Herod many times. Herod is the devil; Herod is the world; Herod is the self. Herod could be our mind- our thought. Herod could be our heart- our feeling. Herod could be our eyes- the things we behold. Herod could be the name of a person, place or thing. Herod could be our friend; it could be the place you go to; it could be food or drink or other material things. You may have promised God not go back to Herod, but sooner or later finds yourself going back to him. The wise men on encountering the Lord went home another way. Today, let’s decide to go home another way. Do not return to Herod. Herod is not happy that your Savior is born. Herod is not happy that you have found your Savior. Herod is not happy that you are saved. Herod is not happy that you are happy. Herod wants to destroy all that. Do not go back to him. If you have left him; leave him in the past. If you have encountered him before, do not go back to him. Forward march! Forward ever! Backward never!

“Are you the one to come, or should we look for another?”

“Are you the one to come, or should we look for another?”

Fr. Divine Emeka Okwara

Homily for the 3^rd Sunday of Advent, 2010

Holy Names Church

Memphis, Tennessee

A woman was once looking for the perfect birthday card for her husband. Then she came across a pleasant card that reads on the outside “Sweetheart, you are the answer to my prayers.” Then she opened the card, and on the inside is written, “You are not exactly what I prayed for, but it seems you are the answer.”

I want to assume that something like this may have run through the mind of John the Baptist as he sat lonely and alone with God in the prison. John, like every Jew had hoped and prayed for the coming of the Messiah. He like every Jewish person had longed for a military deliverer who would vanquish and conquer the enemies, establish a great kingdom, and usher in an era of peace and prosperity. The prophets of the Old Testament had prophesied the advent of the Messiah who would bring glad tiding. The First Reading taken from the prophecy of Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 begins as follows, “The desert and parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song.” Why would a desert and parched land exult? Why would the stepped rejoice and bloom? Because the Messiah, the anointed one is coming. The Messiah is coming to establish a new era of hope for the oppressed, repressed, and depressed people. The First Reading from Isaiah also says “Say to those who are fearful hearted, be strong, do not afraid! Behold, your God will come with vindication, with divine recompense, he comes to save you.” And when he comes, “the eyes of the blind will open, the ears of the deaf will be cleaned; then the lame will leap for joy, and the tongue of the mute will sing.” With time, John believed that the prayers have been answered. And the answer to the prayers is his cousin, Jesus of Nazareth.

As you already know, John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus Christ. He was the last prophet of the Old Testament that actually saw Jesus. He was an Old Testament prophet who had one foot in the old era and one foot in the new era. John had a ministry until his arrest. His ministry was that of preparing people for the coming of Jesus, the anointed one. Even though he lived in the wilderness near Jordan, still great crowds came to listen to him preach. John’s message was powerful, persuasive, direct, and life-changing. He did not live a fancy life; he did not eat fancy and expensive food; he did not wear fancy clothes; he did not live in a fancy house; he did not associate with fancy people. John was not a celebrity or a wealthy man; yet, all sorts of people rich people, poor people, beggars, lepers, sinners, Pharisees etc go out to the desert to listen to him. John was not a celebrity or the sexiest man on the planet, but his message was primarily directed to fancy people, to celebrities who let fancy material things define them instead of defining themselves in relation to their relationship with God. John had seen Jesus when he came to Jordan; he had seen him from a distance and at a close range. Remember Jesus was baptized by John. But after their encounter, Jesus and John went their separate ways. John continued with his public ministry.

John is now in prison. He has enough time to reflect and to think over what he has said and done, and what he has heard Jesus is doing. John is in prison over his refusal to sanction the intended marriage of King Herod Antipas to Herodias, the wife of his own brother. In prison, John remembered the high hope he had about the coming of the Messiah. He had hoped for a revolutionary Messiah instead he got a Messiah who ate and dinned with sinners. Although there were pleasant stories of miracles and healings, but there was no call for arms and revolution. John may have thought of Jesus as the answer to their prayers, but not exactly what they prayed for. To avoid making a hasty and wrong conclusion about Jesus, John sent his disciples to Jesus with a question, “Are you the one to come, or shall we look for another?”

But instead of answering John’s question brought by his disciple, Jesus simply said, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them.” The Lord simply said to John’s disciples, Look, go and tell John that the prophecy of the prophets especially the one we read today in Isaiah is being fulfilled: “Say to those who are fearful hearted, be strong, and fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God, He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert” (Isaiah 35:4-6). Jesus did not say yes or no, but he pointed out what has been happening. The Lord did not try to “talk the talk” but he did “walk the walk.” He let his actions speak for themselves.

When the disciples of John left, Jesus turned to his listeners and asked “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by wind? Absolutely Not! “Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing” No! “Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

Are you the one who is to come, or shall look for another? Jesus’ answer was a way of saying to the people not to be trapped in their concept of the Messiah who will come to wage a violent war against the Romans. The Lord was simply saying that his Messiah is not a warlike messiah but a Messiah who will bring about real deliverance. Defeating the Romans and sending them packing does not end humans’ misery and hopelessness. Being ruled by their own people is not going to bring liberation and freedom. True and real liberation and freedom comes from the Lord. It comes from being a part of the Kingdom which the Son of God has come to establish. Freedom from slavery is not deliverance; freedom from oppression is not really freedom; freedom from paying taxes is not really the real freedom. Freedom comes from Jesus. One can be in physical chains and still be free. Freedom is eternal life. That is why Jesus says in John 8:36, “When the Son of Man sets you free, you are free indeed.” And eternal life says Jesus “Is knowing the only true God, and knowing Jesus Christ whom he has sent” (John 17:3).

Are you the one who is to come or shall we look for another? Jesus comes that the blind may regain their sight. The Lord comes so that those who are blind to see the truth, those who are blind to love; those who are blind to see others especially the needy, those who are blind to see God might regain their sight. Jesus comes that the lame may walk; the Lord comes so that those who are paralyzed by fear, hopelessness, doom and negativity will walk again in hope. Jesus comes so that lepers might be cleansed; the Lord comes so that those afflicted by the leprosy of sin might be cleansed and washed. Jesus comes so that the deaf will hear; the Lord comes that those who are deaf to hear to the message of life, deaf to hear the truth (truth hurts so much), those who are deaf to hear the cry of mercy, the cry of peace, the cry of justice, the cry of equity, the cry to respond to human suffering, the cry of those who are jobless, the cry of those who are homeless, the cry of those who are naked and hungry, the cry of those crying for help may hear and act. Jesus comes that the dead may be raised; the Lord comes to raise those who are asleep in faith, hope, and love. Jesus comes to raise those especially his followers who have been overtaken by secularism, by the loss of the sense of sins, and by lack of passion for the kingdom. Jesus comes to raise those who have fallen into the sleep of the soul, those who are not burning with desire to do good. He has come to fire them up! Jesus has come to preach the good news; the Lord has come to preach the good news to all those who are materially poor and spiritually poor. And that good news is “God is love.” That good news is “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, whoever believes in him will not die, but have eternal life.” That good news is “the kingdom is close at hand.”

Dearest beloved, the question directed to Jesus by John’s disciples “Are you the one to come, or shall we look for another” can be directed to each of us too. Jesus has fulfilled the Messianic prophecies. He has left the remaining task to us. Remember the handless cross in our school, remember the inscription beside it. For the sake of our visitors, there is a big cross over there in our school. On the cross is the crucified Jesus with his two hands chopped off. But beside the handless cross is the inscription “WE ARE HIS HANDS.” We are the hands of Jesus today. We are the voice of Jesus today. We are the body of Jesus today. We are the love, mercy and generosity of Jesus today. But are you? Are you the one to come or shall we look for another?

A couple prayed for the visitation of Jesus. They prayed to see Jesus visit them. After five years of ceaseless prayers and fasting without seeing Jesus, they decided to visit their priest. Disappointedly they said to their priest, “Father, for five years we have prayed and asked the Lord to visit us, but he has refused to show up. Why is the Lord refusing to visit us?” The priest answered “In your neighborhood, there is a very poor couple with children. Suggest to them that you will celebrate the Christmas with them in their house. Prepare a good meal, and buy some Christmas gift for them. I tell you, that family has never had a good meal at Christmas. After you had done that, the Lord will surely visit you.”

The couple did as their priest told them. But after Christmas, they came back to their priest and said “Father, we did what you suggested, but we haven’t seen the Lord yet.” The priest said, “I know very well that Jesus visited the house of your poor neighbor on Christmas day. But of course you couldn’t see him.” Then the priest brought out a mirror and held it before his face and said, “Look, this was the face of Jesus on that Christmas day.”

Sisters, are you the one to come or should we look for another? Brothers, are you the one to come or should we look for another? Can you be Jesus to your neighbor or would you want them to keep looking for him? A good Christian is a Bible. A good Christian is Jesus to others. Are you the one? Are you?