PUTTING THE FIRST THING FIRST: ON MISPLACEMENT OF PRIORITIES

HOMILY FOR THE 18^TH SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Rev. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

Once upon a time, there was a rich king who had four wives. He loved the 4^th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes. He gave her the best. He also loved the 3^rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighbouring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another. He also loved the 2^nd wife. She was very confidant and kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the king faced a problem, she would help him get through it. The king’s 1^st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions to his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he sparingly took notice of her. One day, the king fell ill and knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered: I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I will be all alone. To the 4^th wife, he said: I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that am dying, will you follow me to keep me company? No way, she said as she walked away. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart. The sad king asked the 3^rd wife: I loved you with all my heart; now that am dying, will you follow me and keep me company? No, replied her, life is too good. When you die, I am going to remarry. His heart sank and turned cold. He then asked the 2^nd wife: I have always turned to you for help and advice, and you have been there for me. Now that am dying, will you follow me? I am sorry, I cannot help you out this time, replied the 2^nd wife. At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave. The king was devastated. Then a voice called out: I will go with you. I will follow you no matter where you are going. The king looked up and behold, it was the 1^st wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. With great grievance, the king said: I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance. The one that is the first, the king actually made the last. The one that should be taken care of more than the others, the king neglected. The king has misplaced his priorities.

Today’s readings bring out succinctly the theme of misplacement of priorities. In the Gospel (Luke 12:13-21), Jesus had to advice a man that had his eyes focused on earthly possessions. The fundamental principle of life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. This man was more concerned about worldly acquisitions other than spiritual enrichment. He tends to see Christ only from the optics of someone there to resolve issues of worldly wealth. Actually, his desire was one that manifests independence and manliness, but he forgot to seek God first before inheritance. The counter-question of Jesus: who made me a judge over you unveils the intention of the man concerning the plea of Jesus. He misplaced priorities. He should have placed first the kingdom of God, and not the earthly kingdom. We should seek first the kingdom of God and every other thing will be added unto us (Mtt 6:3). Jesus further told a story of the rich fool to drive home his points. This story makes it vivid what covetousness does to the soul.

Whatever has your affection gets your attention. This rich man forgot his soul and his finitude. Yes, he has worked so hard, made riches, but he never worked hard for the soul. We must be careful when our business and work and ideas are making us so busy that we tend to forget the spiritual requirement of our existence. It is against this type of life that the author of Ecclesiastes in the First Reading takes man’s general struggle as vanity. Our struggle in this life would all be vanity if we attempt to misplace priorities; that is, if we fail to place God first. A life that lives without nourishing the soul is vanity. When one forgets his soul and toils for human wisdom, knowledge and skill; and then has to die leaving those for another, is it not all vanity?  This is indeed a great misfortune. I have never seen any corpse that is buried with all its possessions. Even the restlessness of the mind of the rich man who thinks always about the success of his business and leaves little or no time to rest and refresh the soul is also vanity, because he has failed to recognize the power of the God-man who invites us to come unto him for all who are over-laboured and are over-burdened. He will give us rest (Mtt. 11:28).

Back to the story of the King with four wives –many times in life we act like this king. We neglect the most important things in life. We neglect the most important person in life. In truth, we all have four wives in our lives. Our 4^th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our third wife is our possessions, status and wealth; it will all go to others when we die. Our 2^nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the farthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. And our 1^st wife is our soul; often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power, and pleasures of this world. However, our soul is the only thing that will follow us where ever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout eternity. Value your soul and feed it with the word of God. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is quoted to have said, things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.

What are the symptoms on the part of persons who misplace priorities? 1. Busyness: When we grow so busy, we tend to forget the most important things. Whenever you see yourself as a Christian growing busy over many things, pause and have some retrospection to see whether you have misplaced your priority of not putting God first. 2. Undue stress, tension and pressure: Persons who are under tension are easily confused; and confusion breeds misplaced priorities. We get stressed up, tensed up and pressurized by events and persons. Sometimes, we even manufacture from the way we think these stressors, tensions and pressures. Remember, these three things can easily lure us away from considering God as the first in our lives. 3. Constant Financial Debt: Insincere debts make us unchristian. Some people are comfortable with owing. This is a clear sign that they can easily misplace priorities. But anyone who borrows and pays at the due time stands on the right track. Never allow yourself to owe constantly. Try to maintain agreements whenever you borrow, to be able to have peace of mind. Otherwise, in a bid to dodge those from whom you borrow, you annoy God and get confused over that which is actually paramount. 4. Prayerlessness: Whenever we grow tired of praying, or recognizing God constantly as our Lord, we dwindle. Other less important things gradually replace the place of God. This inadvertently leads to spiritual slot and a denigration of that which ought to occupy the first place in our lives.

What are the reasons for misplacing priorities? 1. Gullibility: Christians today are easily deceived. We no longer know the discrepancy between what we think and say and how we actually live. In such deception and confusion, no one again knows the right thing to do. 2. Insecurity: We are afraid and anxious because we do not believe that God will supply our needs if we give him the first portion of our time, treasure, and talent. 3. Frustration: We are disillusioned with ourselves when we see that our effort to place aright our priorities fail. Never get discouraged over failures. Stand up, pick up your mat and continue in this journey of faith. Above all these reasons, we constantly pray with the Psalmist that God teaches us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (cf. Ps. 90:12).

Manifestations of misplaced priorities today (some puzzling questions):

·       1. Why do you choose to get shot rather than handover your money to the Robber?

·       2. Why do you run into a burning house to save your property?

·       3. Why do you care more about your car other than the person injured in the accident?

·       4. Why should your loved one die in an illness that demands 200,000, while you have more than that in your bank account?

·       5. Why do you choose to sleep when someone seriously needs your assistance?

Let us think before we act.

How do we overcome the danger of misplacing priorities?  The Second Reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians is clear about this: since you have been raised with Christ, set your minds on things that are above (Col 3:1-2). To do this, we must acquire the power of discipline to remain in Christ and never to be disconnected from him. To remain disciplined and steadfast, one formula surfaces: Detach from the devil (whose work is evil) and attach to Christ (whose work is good). Another is: Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops, then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine (Prov. 3:9-10). These are the words that the rich fool failed to put to action. May we never forget these words as we see ourselves grow in material riches and wisdom. Amen.

On the new month: The month of August comes with many activities: August meetings, ordinations, family reunions, holiday outings, etc. Never disregard any of these activities that needs your presence. Try to decipher your priorities. Do not be bent on business or work, and forget the meetings that are vital for community growth. Never cook up any reason to be absent in an event or meeting that improves your faith in God. Do not over-labour yourself to an extent of forgetting to take your family on holidays for some rests. Our august visitor is at the door step. May this visitor come with good tidings for you and for me, and therefore for us. Amen. HAPPY NEW MONTH.

TEACH US TO PRAY: THE REQUEST THAT UNVEILED GOD’S NATURE

HOMILY FOR THE 17^TH SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

 

Rev. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

One of the distinctive marks of every religious community is to possess its own specific form of prayer. In the Jewish setting, it was the regular custom for every rabbi to teach his disciples a simple form of prayer which they might habitually use. This ancient practice is still noticed today. Many Religious Congregations and Communities of Consecrated Life today have their forms of prayer for which their society is known for; for instance, ‘we adore you’ of Franciscans, ‘Jesus, I love you’ of Elele adoration group, etc. Even most families have developed a unique form of prayer. The fore-runner of Jesus (John) did the same and taught his disciples how to pray. It was in such background that we chiefly grasp the request one of the disciples (name not mentioned by Luke) made to Jesus. 

In the Gospel of today (Luke 11:1-13), one of the disciples of Jesus went to him and made a request: Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.  Upon this request, Jesus immediately responded without delay or any in-between conversation. This tells us how this request is important for Jesus. In the Lucan presentation of this prayer Jesus taught his disciples, there are five petitions. However, the five petitions begin with a title: Father. Addressing God as a Father exposes His omnipotent, gracious, provident, forgiving, and protecting nature; which are reflected in the five petitions.

God’s omnipotent nature is evident in Petition 1: hallowed be your name. Here, we pray that the ever-present danger of apostasy be far from us, and that all the evils which defile God’s creation be removed, especially those in our hearts, so that the gracious nature of His being will be made manifest in us.

God’s gracious nature is evident in Petition 2: Your Kingdom come. Here, we pray that the unity, equality and love known as the foundations of God’s kingdom may be felt in the human society; in such a way that the boundaries that exist between the rich and the poor, men and women, saints and sinners, Jews and Gentiles may be replaced by unity, equality and love, so that God’s provident nature is felt by all.

God’s provident nature is evident in Petition 3: Give us this day our daily bread. Here, we pray for divine sustenance for our material need as well as spiritual need. Bread here must not be interpreted as merely food, which quenches material hunger, but must encompass the character of sharing with others (sinners included) at meals of reconciliation (the Eucharist) where-in the spiritual hunger is taken care of, so that God’s forgiving nature is palpably felt by all.

God’s forgiving (merciful) nature is evident in Petition 4: Forgive us our sins, for we too forgive every one indebted to us. Here, we pray for divine pardon for the many offences we have committed against Him. Here, condition is attached. To be able to feel this merciful nature of God, Christ’s followers must forgive others who wrong them. the best of us is a sinful person coming before the purity of God. Hence, Christians who are adamant in forgiving others do not have a proper view of God, who is merciful to all. It is with a forgiving spirit that we can plead more based on the protecting nature of God.

God’s protecting (guarding) nature is evident in Petition 5: lead us not into temptation. In Luke, temptation is seen as something bad, having no positive outcome (e.g strengthening of character). Here, we pray that God preserves us from anything that endangers our faith, or that tries to draw us away from practicing our Christian life (e.g. poverty, anger, slot, avarice, etc). Temptation includes far more than seduction to sin; it covers every situation which is a challenge to our spiritual integrity and fidelity. Yes, we may not escape it, but we can meet it with God.

ASK, AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE...

Jesus further made the disciples to believe in the fatherhood of God by telling them the parable of the determined borrower. This is to teach us that if hardened men can answer their fellows when they persist, and if men who are evil know how to supply their children’s needs, what more of God who is a loving Father? That is why he enjoins us to ask, to seek and to knock. Ask, and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened up to you. God wants us to trust him and to believe that He is a Father and capable of caring for His children.

In the First Reading (Gen. 18:20-32), Abraham asked and got answers. Abraham showed this concern by pleading for the town of Sodom and Gomorrah who had rejected God by the evil ways and deeds. In the conversation Abraham had with the two men (angels in Gen. 19:1) who had gone to investigate Sodom and Gomorrah by God, the merciful nature of God was recurrent as He has the mind of sparing the people is at least ten were faithful to him. The bone of contention was: will you destroy the righteous with the wicked. Abraham dares to bargain to the point that only 10 righteous suffice to avert destruction. Ten became the natural limit in Abraham’s questioning; below that number, God can save the individuals within the city as will happen with Lot. Yes, God is merciful, but this merciful nature must be understood alongside his just nature. He demands our fidelity to his will, and concern for one another. No one should take His mercy for granted. That is why our effort in righteousness is needed even as we plead. Abraham was able to quest because he has done something good and has been righteous by God. Holiness attracts God and aids our relationship with Him.

Abraham is not the Christ. That is why he had his limitation to save the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. If he were to be Christ, even when all are sinners, God would have pardoned them. The Second Reading (Col. 2:12-14) stated it clearly that Christ is the one that brought us to life having forgiven us all our sins and having nailed every embarrassments and disappointments we have exhibited against God on the cross; to such an extent that the cross becomes now the source of our liberation. Hence, for the sake of Christ, we are forgiven; no longer for the sake of 50, 45, 40, 30, 20 or even 10. His blood pleads more insistently than Abel’s.

Jesus is the answer. He alone can teach us how to pray. He alone can lead us to the Father. Read your Bibles and follow His teachings on prayer. Never be deceived by some forms of ostentatious prayer experienced today. Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his demons, he said: we cannot keep the Christians from going to Church, reading their Bibles and praying to their God so as to form an intimate relationship experience in Christ. the much we can do is to distract them, keep them busy with the non-essentials of life, and invent varied ways of praying that are not what their Saviour taught them, so that they might not discover whom their all-powerful God actually is. With that, their will be confusion in their fold. They may think that they are praying as they get busy with noisy instruments, technological advancements and theatrical performances. Is this diabolical meeting been felt today? Lord Jesus, teach us how to pray.

When we pray, we must recognize the five components enumerated and must be aware that it is not the length of our prayer or its verbosity that guarantees its answerability, but our Christ-connectedness and our fidelity to the commandments of God. I wish us a blessed week ahead as we merge our prayer life with concern for one another. God bless you.

SHOWING HOSPITALITY TO ALL

HOMILY FOR THE 16^TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Rev. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

 

It is only when you become a visitor in a distant land or even in another home, and no hospitality was shown to you that you can understand the need of showing hospitality. Today’s reading presents to us the culture of showing hospitality. It is a culture that contributes in making us humans. Readiness to show hospitality is a sign of service to our neighbors. But hospitality has to be merged with being at the feet of Jesus, listening to and obeying his words.

In the First Reading (Gen. 18:1-10a), Abraham is presented as a perfect example of hospitality to visitors. The very first verse made it clear that the encounter between Abraham and the three men was actually a theophanic event. It was Yahweh that indeed came to Abraham in the human forms of three men. This event tells us the nearness and the unanimity of God. Abraham had the gift of recognizing them to be God. Hence, he addressed them with the title: my Lord. One can imagine why he did not address them in the plural (as Lords) but in the singular (my Lord). This is indeed a prefiguration of the union of God that would be born in the incarnation and ministry of Jesus the Christ, where humanity became aware that God is three-in-one (the mystery of the Trinity). Abraham had this inspiration and had to address them in the singular. Another point to note is the commanding silence of these three men and the singularity of their voice as they spoke to Abraham. They were addressed as one and spoke as one. Abraham pleaded for a slight demonstration of hospitality and acted more. He pleaded that they wait so that a little water be brought for washing their feet and that they might rest before continuing. But when they agreed, he went an extra mile to prepare a fine meal and cakes. He even killed a calf for their sake. They never rejected this gesture, but instead released words of blessing to Abraham that the wife shall have a son.

We need the spiritual eyes to recognize God at the various events and happenings of our lives, but the easiest way to recognize is to assist and care for other human beings in their many points of need. We need to learn also how to go an extra mile in the hospitality we show to others. Our culture has our customary ways of welcoming visitors. Do you remain on that way, or do you go an extra mile to offer that which even you hold dear. A story is told of a man who was walking down the Street and met a woman with her kid hopelessly sitting on the pavement beside the road, for they were homeless. He had listened to a sermon about “carrying the cross of Christ” and had seen this opportunity as a way to carry his own cross. He then begged the woman to come and spend the night in his room. The woman agreed and followed him with her little girl. The man took them to the room, gave them the keys and walked away. This man had a terminal sickness linked with the lungs that would allow him few hours before he dies. So he had thought the lives of these people to be useful more than his. He went and spent the night on that pavement beside the road. This worsened his sickness as it landed him at the hospital where he died. But after few minutes the doctors had confirmed him dead, he became alive again with all those illnesses cured. He narrated that he heard a voice that told him: because you have shown love and hospitality, go back and show more. This marveled the doctors and they believed in God. He went an extra mile to give up his apartment for strangers he never knew.

The Gospel (Luke 10:38-42) presents to us the issue of hospitality and added a very important element which is indispensable as much as our care and love is prompted by our love for God. As Mary showed hospitality by listening to the words of Jesus, Martha tried showing hers by running around in service. They showed hospitality as their temperaments disposed them. The problem was that Christ needed someone to talk to, as he was on his way to Jerusalem where he will be brutally dealt with. He needed to express his desire, speak to people about what await him and get some consolation from them too. Martha was innocent of Jesus’ needs at that time. She was doing that which in her mind needed to have been done. Hence, as Martha was doing a good thing by showing hospitality, Mary was doing a better thing by listening to Jesus. Remember, Christ never disregarded the action of Martha who was worried about service. He only commended Mary for making a choice of a better part. This means that as Martha did the good, Mary did the better. This tells us that our hospitality must be merged with going to Jesus to listen to his words. Our righteousness must exceed that of those who do not believe in God. The atheist can be hospitable but they are not prompted by the commandments of God. That is where we must differentiate ourselves from them.

We must go to Church, listen to God who speaks to us, and go on proclaiming Him with our actions of care to others. Some people believe that ‘uka di n’obi’ (worship lies in the heart), and for that reason do not attend worship. They stay in their homes and tell you that they are better Christians, and even make mockery of those that go to Church. Yes, it is good to be a practicing Christian, but never relegate the importance of listening to Jesus as He speaks to us in our churches. Hospitality has great advantages for our lives here on earth and with God. Whatsoever we do to the least of God’s brethren, we do it unto God. Our world needs this spirit of hospitality. This is a world where social class influences the way we welcome others. The rich find it disgusting to welcome the poor, as the poor find it intimidating to welcome the rich; to give an instance. There is high class inequality in our nation. Let us figure out ourselves how best we can show hospitality to the nearest person and pray God to assist and bless us as we mature in this virtue.

We must pray for the virtues of endurance and perfect love to assist us become all inclusive in the hospitality we offer. Endurance helps us to endure all sufferings that may come our way as we practice this, so that we can we rejoice with St. Paul in suffering for Christ and filling up that which is lacking in the body of Christ, the Church (Col. 1:24-28). We pray to try our best to be hospitable. We pray too to receive hospitality from other people. We also strongly pray that our hospitality will never lead to our downfall, but will bring us blessings just as Abraham. Ka ihe oma anyi ghara igbu anyi. This is my prayer as I wish us a blessed week ahead. God bless you.

CONSULTATION AND DIALOGUE IN CHRISTIAN LIFE

HOMILY FOR THE 15^TH SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Rev. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

It is very dangerous to answer the name Eze onye agwala m or to portray characteristics that can link one to such a name. It is good to listen if you are blessed with a good adviser. It is also gracious to advice well if you are lucky to have a good listener. In Catholic Institutions (which I can unequivocally make an allusion to), there are offices which aid the students to develop this act of sincere dialogue (one on one, not as a group) about their life goals and spirituality; e.g Guidance and Counselling office, Spiritual Direction department. Students are meant to consult those trained for this office. In such consultation, dialogue ensues. Last Sunday, I spoke on the importance of two (2) in missions; this Sunday I speak on the activity that necessarily requires at least two persons. It concerns dialogue; for this can only take place where there are two persons. Dialogue is simply an interaction between two persons. When one talks and listens to him/herself, it is monologue; but when one talks to the other as the other listens, it becomes dialogue. Christianity involves a tripartite dialogical relationship; between God and Man (vertical relationship), between humans, and between Humans and Creation (horizontal relationship).

The Gospel of today (Luke 10:25-37) has a peculiar structure. It has a dialogical pattern; and it is this pattern that has influenced my choice of the theme of this Reflection. While giving the lessons concerning mercy to those in need and the universality of the mission to which we are sent to preach (cf. My Reflection on the 14^th Sunday), and the fact that eternal life is not limited to a particular group, the pericope has a structure that is beautifully arranged in such a manner that the lawyer speaks as Jesus listens and Jesus speaks as the lawyer listens. This is seriously needed in our ecclesiastical society today.

a)         The question of the lawyer (Luke 10:25)

The counter-question of Jesus (Luke10:26)

b)         The answer of the Lawyer (Luke 10:27)

The Imperative of Jesus (Luke 10:28)

c)         The further question of the Lawyer (Luke 10:29)

The counter-question of Jesus; in it is the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-36)

d)         The answer of the lawyer (Luke 10:37a)

The command of Jesus (Luke 10:37b)

What was the content of this dialogue? This dialogue has four chains in which are contained discussions that flow from one chain to the other in a connected form. THE FIRST CHAIN presents the reason for the consultation which promoted the dialogue which was initiated by the lawyer: an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. This probably is an inordinate reason that is thwarted by ulterior motive; this motive was not made known by the hagiographer. All we can say is that it is most probable that he tested Jesus so as to have some points for possible future indictment against Jesus on how he disregarded the law (since he was a lawyer). The lawyer must have been present to hear what Jesus said about mission in Luke 10:1-24. His question hinged on what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus immediately referred him to the law which necessarily he must have known due to his profession. This reference Jesus made exposes our awareness to the role of God’s law in the salvation preached by missionaries. THE SECOND CHAIN presents what the law states as a condition for eternal life. The lawyer simply made allusions to Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18. This answer too has a dialogical pattern between humans and God and between humans themselves; thereby forming a cross-like structure: love of God and love of neighbour. Jesus confirms the validity of the law for salvation and accentuates the doing of this twin commandment.

THE THIRD CHAIN exposes the horizontal perspective of this twin commandment, as the lawyer probed further to ask: who is my neighbour? It would take Jesus the telling of a story –the famous story of the Good Samaritan– to make him understand further. In the story, Jesus presented three personalities; two of which are law-conscious people who believed in the letters of the law more than the spirit. The priest and the Levite passed by the wounded man for fear of becoming defiled. Jesus tried to correct the impression that even though the observance of the law is very necessary for salvation, we must merge the letters to the spirit so as to get the best form of life for eternal life. Mere puritanistic observance may not help one; what helps is to know how to apply (contextualize) the law to particular occasions that needs it. Hence, it took someone (the Samaritan) who is more at home with reality to help this wounded man. Jesus having told this story asked the lawyer which of the three was a neighbour to the wounded man. This question turned the lawyer’s question on its head. It was as if Jesus was correcting the lawyer in this manner: do not ask about who belongs to God’s kingdom, but instead ask about the conduct or lifestyle demanded of a member of God’s chosen people.

THE FOURTH CHAIN presents the conclusion of the discourse which had led the lawyer to a better knowledge. Having asked the lawyer who of the three that was a neighbour to the wounded man, the lawyer did not want to bring himself to mention the nationality of the one who was a neighbour since Samaria was an outcast town, counted out from God’s people. He simply said: the one who did mercy. But whether he was ashamed of the nationality or not, the answer manifests only one person who had mercy and that was the Samaritan. Jesus then enjoined him to go and do the same. Hence, the conversation/dialogue came to an end with the lesson that eternal life is for all who struggles to live the life that assures salvation.

1. This is what consultation and dialogue does –to help dispel ignorance and inject knowledge; one that leads to eternal life. Dialogue promotes and enhances peace. Whenever dispute or acrimony is noticed in any sector of the human society, and dialogue is sent to oblivion, then peace becomes but a wish. But when dialogue comes in, and the parties reach a compromise, peace sets in. In the Nigerian society, if the citizens can embrace consultation and dialogue in their polities, the very many secessionist groups emerging from different parts of the country will be minimized. The Government should try to pay heed to the cries of the citizens, as the citizens should also cooperate with the Government whenever there is a call for peace. Some citizens are given the roles of ‘special advisers’ in our politics. The reason for this role is to assist the head that has the crown to develop a listening ear and a dialogical spirit in such a way that when challenging issues erupt, they can listen and dialogue in order to get them resolved.

2. However, there are persons who engage in dialogue, but with an improper intent. Our conversation with people must be rooted in sincerity of heart and purity of intention. We should not engage in dialogue so as to garner points to pull people down or to imprison people from what they say. Dialogue must be oriented towards self-improvement and growth. We must engage in dialogue so as to heal the other, to bandage the wounds of the other and to assist the other towards wholesomeness (of body and of spirit) just like the Samaritan. But for an efficient dialogue to be met there must be a listening ear and an honest mouth. Jesus never misled the lawyer who questioned him. We sometimes fall into the trap of misleading those who come to us for an advice or suggestion. We convince them to take particular actions and behaviours that are inimical to the society, their families and their friends. Try as a Christians to always offer a sincere admonition whenever you get an opportunity, for you may be saving many souls through that.

3. On a spiritual sense, many Christians have forgotten the importance of consulting their spiritual leaders. Many are deceived into going to places and persons that do not believe in good Christian ideals. Many are deceived into not sharing their problems with their priests. Remember, problem shared is half-solved; so too problem shared and admonitions given bring much relief and calmness. Never die alone in your cubicle. Come out, meet with your priest, and be clarified, consoled, admonished, or guided. When last did you consult your priest as a Catholic? Or are you one of those who think priests are not approachable, and so are deceived into consulting persons that make us derail? The Catholic Christian spirituality urges all the faithful to have a spiritual director; someone to whom you can comfortably discuss your spiritual needs and concerns with. Indeed, it is an imperative to every Christian to find a spiritual director, a counsellor who assists him or her in spiritual life. As a Catholic, do you have one? If you have one already, when last did you consult him?

4. We must never repudiate the importance of priests in the life of Christians. They represent Christ and lead us to the one they represent. That is why they are regarded as another Christ. The Second Reading (Col 1:15-20) assures us that Christ is the head of the body the Church. Hence, we must not shy away from meeting Christ in the person of his priests to discuss the concerns of our faith. Never allow yourself to lose the sense of trust, humility, and obedience, for these virtues necessarily are needed in our spiritual consultation and direction. Trust gives you the courage to approach, humility gives you the strength to listen, and obedience gives you the power to act according to the direction. Little wonder Moses enjoined all Israelites in the First Reading (Deut. 30:10-14) to obey the voice of the Lord and to keep his commandments. We must pray to God to bless us with good consulters, interlocutors and spiritual directors just as Christ was to this young man. I wish you a blessed week ahead. GOD BLESS YOU.