THAT MOST EXCELLENT “THEOPHILUS”

HOMILY FOR THE 3^RD SUNDAY IN THE ORDINARY, YEAR C

Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

Luke begins his account of Jesus in the highest model of writing that was during his time. He introduces his gospel in a way so different from the other three evangelists. By his introduction, he meant to say four things about the gospel of Jesus Christ he intended to write: 1. the Gospel is a historical account, as many have made attempts to tell the story. 2. the Gospel is an eyewitness’ account, as the story was handed over by those who saw Jesus. 3. the Gospel is an inspired account, as the writer was led to write because of the duty he felt he owed Theophilus. 4. the Gospel is a confirmation of the truth, as the purpose for the writing is to establish the certainty of the stories being told. This beginning verses of Luke forms the first part of the Gospel (cf. Luke 1:1-4) of today.

The second part (Luke 4:14-21) concerns the first appearance of Jesus in his home town, during which he had the opportunity to read out his manifesto from the oracle of Isaiah in the synagogue. In this manifesto are four important elements: 1. to bring good news to the poor, 2. to proclaim freedom to captives and the recovery of sight to the blind 3. to set the oppressed free, and 4. to announce the year of the Lord. How blessed were those who sat down in that synagogue listening to Jesus read and then preached that very short but most powerful sermon in history: today, this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. Similarly, is it not a privilege that we are among those who read and listen to the good news of Jesus today? Indeed, we are the Theophilus of today. But, who is Theophilus?

1. Luke wrote to a man he named Theophilus. We do not know much about him, but his title captures our attention; most excellent. This is the title of honourable people. Thus, Luke wrote to a respected person of rank in the government. And this honourable person was most probably representative of a wider audience which needs upholding in faith. He desired to know the story of Jesus. He desired to read and understand that story which was on the lips of every body. He needed a logical story written after a proper investigation. And this is what Luke gave him. We must be ready always to serve Christ by studying, researching and becoming acquainted with the truth of Christ. Theophilus can be a person, no doubt, but should we not be free to understand this name in another way?

2. Theophilus is a Greek word which can mean “lover/friend of God.” Could it then not be true to say that Luke was writing to someone who had distinguished himself/herself as a lover of God through the way he/she lived his/her life? And can we not also underpin that this lover of God can be you or I today? Those who love God are eager to listen to the news and testimonies about Him. Those who are friends of God are filled with zeal to read the Bible and books that make them know God more. Those who love God are ever ready to share their experiences of God with others. These are the Christians. This is you and I. Thus, if we believe that we are lovers/friends of God, and therefore those to whom Luke writes, then we confirm that we love to listen and learn about God. It all means we are ever ready to be filled with the good news of Christ. As Christians today, a little exercise we need to do ourselves is to think and compare how vast and updated we can be about sports and political news and how vast we are about Jesus, about the Bible and about spiritual writings. This will go a long way to help us get redirected back to our callings as lovers of God; as theo philoi. To love God is to desire endlessly to know him.

3. The first reading (Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10) tells the story of another section of the lovers of God who listened attentively as Ezra the priest read the laws of God to them. The people’s response to the word of God was very touching. Not only that they listened well, they also believed and worshipped the Lord. They recognized how they have failed God and wept. And because they believed and worshipped, the joy of the Lord which strengthens and consoles was proclaimed to them by the priests, the elders and the excellent Nehemiah. Listening and reading about God must lead us to faith; otherwise the purpose of hearing the good news becomes unfulfilled in our hearts. As the eye sees, and as the ear hears, the heart ought to believe so that the whole body can be led into proper worship.

4. Note here the title used for Nehemiah as it reflects the title of Theophilus to whom Luke wrote. He was excellent because even as a leader he listened to the laws of the Lord. His presence demonstrated his eagerness for the knowledge and love of God. This is a leader who led his people into penitence, conversion and proper worship, without failing to bring words of consolation to their afflicted hearts. And such a leader is indeed needed today. We need leaders whose manifestos will simply reflect the manifesto of Jesus for the poor, the oppressed and to lead people to rediscover the year of the Lord; which signifies turning the hearts of the people once more to God who came in the person of Jesus. And so, excellence goes to any one who does not only listen and obey the good news of God, but teaches others to do the same, prays for others and encourages others in their faith. As the lovers of God that we are, we require indeed this title of honour: excellent.

5. If one part suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; If one part is honoured, all the other parts share its joy. With these words, St. Paul in the Second Reading (1 Cor. 12:12-30) talks about the unity that we share as lovers of God. Christians today are lovers of God. When a person fails, it affects others in the faith, and when a person does excellent, it affects others too. For instance, when a person serves well in a parish, every member of the parish somehow gets honoured. When a parish does well, the diocese feels honoured. When a particular Church succeeds, the universal Church share in her joy. There is universal joy that comes from particular service. Having discovered how this chain of excellence in service can affect the joy of the universal Church, we may now be free to think how this joy would be felt everywhere around us and how excellent our Church can be if we all render excellent service to one another. Oh! What an excellent Church filled with excellent lovers/friends of God that can make the world an excellent place. We are in need of excellence, oh Theophilus. May we never relent in making our love for God excellent. Happy new week, God bless you.