LORD!!! MAY I NOT BE DISAPPOINTED

HOMILY FOR THE 21^ST SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C 
Rev. Fr. Onyekachi Peter Ezekoka

♫♫ Oh when the saints are matching on, when the saints are matching on; oh Lord I want to be in the number. Oh when the saints are matching on. ♫♫ The simplest definition one can offer about the word disappointment is ‘the emotional state experienced when a strong held expectation is not met’. It can also be a circumstance in which a strongly held expectation is not met. It is a word which begins with a prefix (dis-) that denotes reversal, removal, lack or absence. The main word (appointment) in this case can be synonymous with the words agreement, stipulation, and concordance; whereby when this strong expectation is not met, there can be the result of disagreement, disaccord, and frustration. Everyone prays not to be disappointment. When someone gives you an appointment to meet with you at a place or on a particular time, and thereupon does not meet up with the appointment without any prior information, how sad will you feel? Yes, human beings disappoint a lot, but God never disappoints. God is always faithful to his promises and covenants. He constantly calls us to Himself, but we are inclined to always neglect His call and His will for all of us to be saved. Hence, we disappoint God through the way we lead our lives. It is on account of our disappointment of God that our salvation is determined. So when we live our lives anyhow we deem fit, we must also allow God to carry out His judgement on us anyhow He deems fit.

Beyond the disappointment we may experience during our lifetime as regards our relationship with our fellows, there is one I regard as the ultimate disappointment. This ultimate disappointment is the one that will be experienced on the last day. Some who act so as to deceive the people of God will certainly face the punishment of their actions. This will be the greatest misfortune and disappointment to them; for they may be portraying that they are serving the Lord, but actually are slaves of iniquity. It is against such an experience that I pray: LORD, MAY I NOT BE DISSAPOINTED. Jesus never wants us to get disappointed, but to be one of those appointed for heaven. It is on account of this that he had to devote time in the Gospel of today (Luke 13:22-30) to teach us how to live so as not to be disappointed on the last day. Having got the question from someone whether those who will be saved will be few, Jesus exhorted his disciples to be ready at all times.

Being ready always is a very serious ingredient for someone who wants to run away from disappointment. Never relax in your struggle for heaven, for we do not know when the son of man will come. Jesus made an illustration to drive home his points into the hearts of his listeners. When we fail to be ready and the door is locked against us, we have lost the gain of entrance into the house. By the time those locked out beg that the door be opened for them, the only answer that is offered is one based on his ignorance of them. Then, those locked out may start to make certain claims. These claims can be brought down to our age today.

WE ATE AND DRANK IN YOUR PRESENCE: It is not about how many times you attended Church programs that guarantees salvation, but about how many times you are able to do the will of God. It is not the positions and posts that you hold in the Church that puts you on the heavenly track, but how you are able to employ those positions and posts as a means of your salvation.

YOU TAUGHT IN OUR STREETS: It is not all about how many connections you are able to establish with the preachers of the Gospel today, but how you put to action the words they preached to you. Your knowledge of a prophet or your relationship with a preacher does not guarantee salvation; that which guarantees salvation is how you are able to follow the preacher as he follows Christ, and how you are able to move from your knowledge and relationship with the preacher to a perfect knowledge and relationship with God.

The last words of the gospel say: and behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last. This actually is an expression which depicts that there will be great surprises on the last day. Those who may in this world be thinking that they are leading flocks; being in the front and commanding as the head may actually experience serious disappointment, while those that are led will now mount as the leaders into the kingdom of God. The way to avoid such a backdrop is to revisit the second reading of today from the Letter to the Hebrews (12:5-7.11-13): “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord”.

Steadfastness demands discipline. In order to be steadfast, we must be disciplined, following the dictates of the Lord very meticulously. We must run away from taken the things of God for granted, or trivializing the presence of God in the Church, in the worshipping community, in the sacraments and in the Sacred Species. We must learn never to desacralize or desecrate Holy things. We must learn too not to desecrate Holy persons who have been appointed as instruments through which God’s blessings may be continually felt by all humans. Remember, touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm. 

Surely, a period of judgment must come when the Lord will gather all nations and tongues. Then we shall see God’s glory. This is what the Lord tells us through the mouth of the Prophet Isaiah in the First Reading (66:18-21). Yes, He comes, but He is yet present calling us to lead lives that will attract Him more and more to us.

Pray for me, my dear brethren that these words above may be reflected in my life and dealings with people having dedicated my life in service for the Catholic priesthood (on the 20^th of August, 2016). Pray for me especially on this Sunday which is my First Solemn Mass as a Catholic Priest that I may not be disappointed here on earth and hereafter in heaven. Am quite sure that I have entered on a route that is not easy, but I believe that with God my burden will be lighter and most importantly I will not be disappointed. Pray for the success of my Priesthood. Pray for all Catholic Priests and pray for the Church. As you do this, may the Lord make the new week resplendent for you. Together we shall go to heaven. We shall be counted among the saints. Amen. God bless you.