I WILL FOLLOW YOU, BUT…

HOMILY FOR THE 13^TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Rev. Fr Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

The readings of today bring out this idea of divine call (i.e. vocation). In the First Reading (1Kgs 19:16b.19-21), Yahweh instructs Elijah to anoint Elisha, the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah to replace him after he is gone. Elijah then went in search of his successor. He found him and cast his mantle upon him. This was the symbol of divine call that God has chosen Elisha to replace Elijah. Elisha understood the message immediately and pleaded for an excuse to go and do the necessary acts of courtesy to the family and friends. He was not wrong; little wonder Elijah permitted him. He bided farewell and gave out all his possessions. He came and followed Elijah. Elijah thus began to function as a point of holy power to which Elisha is drawn and from which he will go forth.

Discipleship involves the teacher and the student; and the student is expected to posses the virtue of discipline. Both words ‘disciple’ and ‘discipline’ are got from the same root discipulis (disco, discere, didici –to learn) which point to the character of learning. Just as Elijah encountered Elisha at the very point of making his livelihood, God expects us to use our strength to work for our livelihood; God does not permit laziness. We are called out from our daily jobs and careers. Christian discipleship which has more to do with our spiritual mission does not encourage alienation from material jobs. The first four apostles were called at the point of their occupation. God loves hard-working people. His call is an invitation to which we are expected to respond. We respond to this call out of our freewill. The Second Reading (Gal. 5:1.13-18) provides the guideline of our discipleship. It is guided by the law of love, and not compulsion. No one is forced to follow Christ. God allows us to make use of the freewill He has given us.

The Gospel (Lk 9:52-61) explains that the Christian life is a journey undertaken with Christ, not outside of Him. One can say that the Gospel contains two pericopes; one, concerning the rejection of Jesus and his followers by the Samaritans, and two, concerning the cost of following Jesus. My interest lies on the second. In it, we notice three different insincere attitudes of followers in the three encounters of those who wanted to follow Christ.

First Encounter

The man approached Jesus and said to him: I will follow you wherever you go. Jesus replied: foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” He desired to follow Christ without counting the cost. It is vivid that this man’s request may have been born out of following Christ for vain glory; to belong to the popular group and to be among the respected, since he might have thought that Christ wielded much power, respect and admiration. This man represents Christians who claim to follow Christ but have ulterior motives of selfishness and self-enrichment. In this group are those who like to belong to a particular renowned class. They come to church in order to be recognized and honoured. They seek titles, and demand that they be addressed honourably. If they are denied that, they might leave the Church and would speak easily against the Church and her ministers. As members of the society, they would want to be identified with the happening class, fashion, ideas, experiences and people. Persons in this group are inclined to marrying for what they can gain from their partners, and not actually for love. 

At the words of this man who had some selfish motives for coming to Jesus, Jesus admonished the man that before he desired to follow Him, he should have counted the cost. It is not when suffering arrives, the Christian flees. So we must be aware of this, for no one can say that he was induced to follow Jesus under false pretences. Our discipleship must cost us a lot of things. The Church might not need numerous insincere members, but might need sincere and devoted members no matter how few they are.

Second Encounter

To another man, Jesus said: follow me. But he said: Lord, let me go first and bury my father. Jesus replied: leave the dead to bury their own dead, but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God. Jesus’ words to this man might sound very unsympathetic. But before we make a hasty conclusion, another meaning of this man’s reply could be: I will follow after my father has died. From this, it might then mean that the work of evangelization stands pending until the father passes on and is buried. The work of the missionary is to constantly make hay while the sun shines. Helping to bury the dead is one of the spiritual works of mercy and cannot be disregarded by Jesus. But what is corrected here is the postponement of the good work of witnessing to Christ which should be the primary focus of the Christian before personal interests. Jesus’ reply to him simply meant that no selfish condition ought to over ride the importance of the gospel message. Discipleship do cost us; even to get detached from our families. Christ instructed us that discipleship does cost wives, children, parents and wealth (cf. Matt 10:37-42). God must be first in our lives. His mission must be paramount.

Nobody and nothing should take precedence over our discipleship of Christ. We must know that in life, there are opportunities which when missed could not be regained.  At the time of this call, Jesus was making his way for Jerusalem where he would die. And so, the urgency of the vocation needed no time to be wasted. He should have grabbed the opportunity. In this group are Christians who place their worries and work over worship. They do not find it exciting to go to Church and could concoct reasons why they are unable to go to Church. Persons here are prone to distractions that could make them loose focus from their goals. Hence, following Jesus demands concentration and focus unto Him that we are following.

Third Encounter

Another man approached Jesus and said: I will follow you, Lord, but let me say farewell to those at my home. Jesus replied: no one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. This man was in a confused state. He does not even know his priorities. He wants to go forward, but he has not left hold of the past. He needs to get decided. It was as if Christ was telling Him: Until you know what you want; until you become not confused about your need, I will give you a reply. His eyes were not even focused ahead but behind. The difference between him and the second one is that as the second moves ahead in a less focused manner, the third moves with his eyes on the past. And we could guess the consequence: the person who walks while looking back would stagger and fall. The Christian must march forward; forward ever and backward never. The difference too between Elijah’s permission of Elisha and Christ’s repudiation of this man is simply based on purity and sincerity of heart and intention. Whereas Elisha was acting in zeal and readiness to answer divine call, this man was placing those at his home more important than his desire.

Today is a day we have a rethink on Vocations and discipleship. More seriousness too should be paid in the proper discernment of vocations; for without proper discernment, vocations might be understood as mere careers. In the seven sacraments of the Church, we have two sacraments that are regarded as the sacrament of Christian vocations: Holy Orders and Matrimony. These sacraments empower the faithful to live and perform their Christian duties either as chaste celibates or chaste married couples. The celibates together with the married couples share in this vocation to follow Christ more closely. We must be constantly ready to follow Christ in our vocation. Sincerity of mind and readiness to serve ought to be our watchword. In all, when Jesus invites us to follow him, he calls us to leave all other attachments behind and to cling to him. This would enable the disciple to serve whole-heartedly. We should not allow our desires to serve God and to offer our lives to Him to be hindered by our attachments to sinful habits, attitudes, possessions and relationships. May we continue to find joy in serving God and loving him above all things. Amen. GOD BLESS YOU.

WE ARE DELIVERED TO WITNESS

HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF SS. PETER AND PAUL

Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

On this day, we celebrate the twin founders of the Church in Rome. St. Peter was a fishermen who was made the leader of the Church by Christ himself. He was made the rock on which the Church is built. He died by crucifixion in Rome around the year 64. Paul was the Pharisee who persecuted the early Church. He was converted by Christ himself and was made by the Holy Spirit the “apostle of the Gentiles.” He was later on martyred by beheading in Rome around the year 67. Both witnessed to Christ with their lives. It is then clearer now that It is not by birth but by their mission identity that they are celebrated today as twins. They are the two great apostles of mission. Peter had the mission to preach the Gospel, especially among the Jewish communities. Paul became the chosen instrument of God to bring the Good news to the whole world. Their martyrdom in Rome and their devotedness to preach Jesus were by no means the only similarities between these two great apostles.

In their spiritual journey with the Lord, both experienced the gratuitous compassion and forgiveness of the Lord. Peter denied the Lord three times; when he asked for pardon, he was forgiven. Paul persecuted the early Christian community, and on his way to Damascus was called, converted and forgiven. They are fathers in the faith. Not only did they explain and hand over the message of Christ to us, they also teach us by their lives that great people might not start as saints. They only require to embrace the divine calling to conversion and to tap into the immensity of God’s mercy while striving relentlessly to maintain that grace of conversion. Saints are those who recognizing their weaknesses and frailty draw great strength from the abundant mercy of God and strive to keep the strength alive and burning in them through their lives. They do not give up even when they see themselves failing because they trust that when they are weak, they are strong (2 Cor. 12:11).

In the First Reading (Acts 12:1-11), we experience how Peter the Apostle was rescued from disgrace and shame of his persecutors. The last sentence of the reading made it very vivid: now, I am sure that the Lord has rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting. They were expecting Peter to be a symbol of shame and disgrace; to be ridiculed and killed so as to appease themselves. Herod noticed that he gained fame and popularity when he killed James, the brother of John. But as he was making his plans to use Peter as a source of firm and popularity, God was making plans to use the situation as a source of glory and testimony upon the life of his apostle, Peter. Peter was imprisoned by Herod for possible murder when he thought that the killing of James was pleasurable for the people. He needed their allegiance. One could see how ungodly it is to play with the life of any human being on account of a selfish aggrandisement or ambition. Many lives have been destroyed because of the pride of place we allude to our personalities, positions of power or level of learning.  Sometimes, we might be inclined to think of the pleasurable end without thinking of the monstrous means. We might also prefer to achieve what we desire by whatever means available. It is a great temptation to look only towards the end without considering the means. And we need to guide against such temptations.

As Herod imprisoned Peter, the Christians were in deep prayers for the life of Peter, and the Lord intervened. The prayers of the Christian communities could do great wonders. Imagine how nice it could be to pray for one another and to identity with our members that suffer. Faith brings us together and gives us the one voice in prayer that is able to storm heaven and provide deliverance to those among us in need of it. How often do we offer prayers for the sake of persecuted Christians all over the world? The prayer of the community is efficacious. The rescue/deliverance by the angel of the Lord made Peter grow more in the consciousness of a God who loves and delivers. It made him more zealous for the Gospel. When we show solidarity and compassion, offering masses and prayers for those who suffer, we might not be aware of the type of solid faith we help to build in them.

In the Second Reading (2 Tim. 4:6-8), Paul spoke in very fulfilled way. He has fought a good fight of faith. He has preached to all people. He has converted many. He has also been shown great compassion by the Lord. According to Him: the lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the word fully...I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. When we are with the Lord, we are sure of redemption. Like Peter, Paul also experienced the deliverance of God. The Lord rescued Paul and was with him throughout his mission to the Gentiles. Paul was delivered to continue witnessing. But what can we say to be the content of the preaching of Paul? It is found in the answer of Peter in the Gospel (Matt.16:13-19): you are the Christ the son of the living God. The apostle preached Christ who Himself was the kingdom of God made man. He preached the reign of this kingdom both on earth and in heaven. That was why he was sure that he fought to establish this kingdom on earth, and thus was given the ticket for the heavenly one. What the answer of Peter suggests is that by preaching Christ, we become blessed; blessed by the God who inspires us (for flesh and blood has not revealed this). We also become rocky, strong enough to be built on and to crush the power of Satan (and the gates of hell shall not prevail). The third is that our words become highly prophetic; enough to bless and liberate those who are in the bondage of sin (whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven).

These readings show how God rescues and guides His followers; those who witness to him. And the more we are delivered, the more we should witness. That is why every Christian needs to pray like the Psalmist: from all my terrors, the Lord rescues me (Psalm 34:5b). May the Lord continue to give us the strength to tap into the riches of his redemption, love and compassion, especially when we pass through troubling moments in our faith. When we see ourselves so weak, may the Lord help us to see in Him the great strength to not give up. Amen. May Saints Peter and Paul pray for us. Amen. Happy Feast Day to me and to all. God bless you.

THE HEART THAT PUMPS LOVE

HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS, YEAR C

Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

The human body is composed of a vast amount of tissues and organs that all work together to keep the person alive. Thanks to God who created human beings quite intricately. Now, out of all the organs in the beautifully designed human body, which one can you take to be the most important? Every organ has its own unique responsibility, but as many might agree, the most important organ in the human body is the human heart. The heart could be the most important organ because it carries necessities to the body, gets rid of waste in the body, and is connected to Jesus Himself. 

The first reason is that the heart carries and pumps necessities to other various parts of the body. Without performing its function as the heart, other organs would fail. For example, the brain is in constant need of a supply of oxygen from blood. The brain receives this constant flow of oxygen when the heart does its job in pumping blood to particular parts of the body. So without the heart, these functions would fail. Essentially, if the heart was to fail, the entire body would shut down in a matter of minutes. The heart also aids to remove waste in the body. The heart collects Carbon dioxide and other waste products that the body produces so they can be removed. Through an amazing journey, the blood pumped by the heart gets rid of all chemicals such as carbon dioxide by sending them to the lung to be expelled from the body through the process of breathing. Without the heart, our bodies would be filled with harmful chemicals and substances. 

The last reason is by no means a medical reason. The heart is an organ that has great connection to Jesus. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a very popular and cherished devotion. The feast we celebrate today is about this devotion. This heart is a symbol of God’s tender love, compassion and mercy. This is why the Good Shepherd could go in search of one strayed sheep even when he still has ninety-nine (cf. Gospel, Luke 15:3-7). He does the search himself and not with the help of envoys (cf. F.R., Ezekiel 34:11-16). According to John 19:33, when Jesus was dying on the cross, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. The celebration of the Sacred Heart is associated with the physical wound (and the associated sacrifice), the mystery of both blood and water pouring from Christ's chest, and the devotion God asks from humankind. Pope Pius XII wrote about the Sacred Heart in his 1956 encyclical, Haurietis Aquas (On Devotion To The Sacred Heart): Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is devotion to Jesus Christ Himself, but in the particular ways of meditating on his interior life and on His threefold love: His divine love, His burning love that fed His human will, and His sensible love that affects His interior life.

The Heart of Jesus then pumps out vices from the body of Christ -the Church- and transports necessary virtues and gifts within the body. This heart is necessary for the Christian living. Becoming a part of this body is a great insurance scheme for eternity. Without this heart that stands for love, compassion and mercy, the Christian life is dead. Also, as Christ’s followers, our hearts is the location where Jesus is figuratively housed in us. We constantly pray God to come into our hearts. This is why God’s love has been poured into our hearts (cf. S.R. Rom. 5:5b-11) to make our hearts neat for His dwelling in us. We must strive then to keep our hearts clean. Today, we pray like the Psalmist in Psalm 51:10, create in me a pure heart. Oh, Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you; I believe in your love for me.