GOD CAN USE BASKETS TO DRAW WATER SO AS TO SHAME BUCKETS

HOMILY FOR THE 31^ST SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR C

Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

 

God is at work. He works in ways that humans may find difficult to fathom. He is able to make stones which are non-living things to cry out and praise him (cf. Luke 19:40). God crosses and destroys the boundaries separating what humans think as the clean and the unclean. The very second sentence of the First Reading (Wisdom 11:22-12:2) tells us that God can do all things, and He overlooks the sins of people that they may repent. The story of Zacchaeus leads us to a greater knowledge of how God overlooks the sins of people. This is how our God works. He can reach out to that person that has been rendered insignificant. He can cuddle and saddle that person who has been branded a sinner. From the dust he lifts up the lowly, from his misery he raises the poor. The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down (Psalm 145:14). He manifests great interest in the poor and the sinner.

In the Gospel (Luke 19:1-10), Jesus makes his journey into Jericho, the city that would usher him into Jerusalem from where he ‘would not come out.’ Jesus has taught in many cities and regions. He has performed many miracles, and so was well-known all around the district. The people of Jericho must have also heard of him and all the good things he has been doing. Little wonder, there were many people eager to see him. There was a crowd, and each one desiring to get the attention of Christ. However, it baffles me that Jesus’ attention was drawn to a man, Zacchaeus. This man caught the attention of Christ. He climbed a tree to have a clearer vision. Christ went straight to him, spoke to him, became his guest and restored him to wholeness (salvation). There is indeed joy over one repentant sinner. Jesus has come for the sinners and not for the righteous. Jesus knows the one that needs Him the most, and not the ones that need him for integrity or for raising of social status or class. Some were there to identify with Christ so as to prove to others that they are people of class and ought to be respected, where as some were there to identify with Christ because they are in need of salvation.

a) Appreciating the reaction and the virtues of Zacchaeus

Climbing the sycamore tree

In his effort to see Christ, Zacchaeus faced many challenges. First is the decision to join those who are eager to meet with Christ. Remember, he was a man of great wealth, and we know what wealth can do to the person. It can make one pompous, arrogant, proud, and insensitive. These were most probably what Zacchaeus must have conquered within himself having made the decision, which was very courageous to come out in search of a glimpse of Christ. His height was a great challenge to him. He was a man of small stature and this made it so difficult to see beyond the person standing in front of him. And upon that, there was a great number of people; a crowd. All these were faced by Zacchaeus and he never gave up, but persisted in seeing Christ. He went beyond the crowd. He overcame the shortcomings of his height, and sought for help. Many of us easily give up when experiences of life challenge our faith. Zacchaeus surmounted all these challenges, and then met Christ. He no longer had a glimpse of Christ, but became his host. Hence, one can say that where as others were merely making efforts to see Christ, Zacchaeus made an extra effort by climbing the tree.

Climbing the sycamore tree can represent an ascent of faith. It can represent an ascetic endeavour to meet Christ, since no climbing is devoid of work. Climbing the sycamore unveils to us that a leap of faith is needed in our search for Christ. It also tells us that some form of work is needed to be done. You need human effort to meet God. Granted, God comes to us and stretches out his hands to help us; but we need to go to him too and stretch out our hands to be helped. Our effort must go beyond the ordinary.

Being a host of Jesus

When Jesus told Zacchaeus to climb down for he must stay in his house, Zacchaeus never grumbled. He never made any revolting excuse or postponement. He accepted in joy and happiness. Jesus needed to go to his house to give him a holistic restoration. Being a host to Jesus gave Zacchaeus the opportunity to become a saved person, and not just an interlocutor of Jesus. It gave him the opportunity to examine his past life all these years and to reject fraud. Many of us have tried to reject Jesus when he stays at our door post and knocks. Many have given excuses to Jesus who continually desires us to be our host. One thing is sure. If you host Jesus, he must expunge sins and vices from your life and inject wholesomeness.

Giving all he had

Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold. These were the words of Zacchaeus. He gave practically all he had. First, he promised to give out half of all he has. If he does this, half will be left out. And remember, all he has comprises of what his job gave him and the ill-gotten ones. From that half, he pays back in four-fold to all he may have defrauded. If he does this, nothing practically remains. Hence, he has given out all he has because he has encountered Christ. No one encounters Jesus and remains the same. Encountering Christ must cost us something. However, it is in losing our lives that we regain them, and anyone who lives earthly possessions and follows the Lord will receive them in hundred fold. Many times, we claim to have encountered the Lord; yet there is not yet any palpable change. This is because we have so blocked our hearts against conversion. We claim to be Christians; yet there is no spirit of generosity or charity in us. We are stingy with the time, talents and treasures God gives us. We neglect others, and even feed fat from their pockets. As those who are in-charge of one particular group or another in the Church, how do you handle the donations of people? Do you use church posts and positions as a means of defrauding others?

b) Appreciating the action and the virtues of Jesus Christ

Spotting out and going to Zacchaeus...

God sees the deepest depths of our hearts. He knows those who really seek Him in spirit and in truth. He goes to them. Amidst the number of people scrambling to see Jesus, Jesus knew whom he needed to go to. He went straight to the short man. The wonderful nature of our God is that he comes to us always. He desires to be our guest. He desires to restore us. He desires to console us. He does not want to see us in the pains of sin, or under the slavery of Satan. I pray that the Lord locates you in your difficulties and in your search of him today, for the son of man came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). If you consider yourself lost, be hopeful, for the Lord is very much interested in you. He comes to you today. Just be ready to come down from the sycamore tree.

Neglecting the murmuring of the crowd

The crowd murmured on seeing how Jesus was interested in Zacchaeus. They were murmuring because they repudiated Zacchaeus. They were murmuring because some thought they were more worthy to have a chat with Christ and to receive Christ in their homes. But the action of Christ embarrassed their thoughts. Their murmuring meant nothing for it was neglected. Divine visitation and restoration does not hinge on its general acceptability by all. Zacchaeus was not moved by this crowd. The Lord knows the best decision to take. However, if Zacchaeus was not strong enough, he may have moved by the murmurings of these people. Thank God he was not moved for he knew what he wanted from the Lord. When the Lord locates you, people must murmur. When they murmur, the Lord remains steadfast to his will. He does not change his divine plan due to these noise makers. And if the Lord remains faithful, we must be faithful. We must build coatings around us to withstand the pressures that come from the crowd. The crowd can represent distractions, obstacles, bad advisers, and evil tormentors. Remember, if God is with us, even if anyone be against us, he strives in vain. Do not always expect everyone to be happy with you, even when you are doing the good. But you that murmur, I enjoin you today to learn how to appreciate the good things God does in the life of your brother; otherwise your murmur may be turned into torture.

Salvific restoration

Today, salvation has come to this house. Jesus’ stay with Zacchaeus and Zacchaeus host of Jesus, and his acceptance of Jesus has made salvation to come to his entire household. The presence of Jesus makes possible what is humanly impossible. He gives his salvation to the broken hearted. He not only gained conversion but also salvation. That is the highest possession. He is now free to fly beyond the skies since he has no other entanglements. He has freed himself of all distractions and has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord. Thus, he becomes a son to the father of faith. He too is a son of Abraham. This means that all of us are in the pale of God’s chosen people. We are all God’s children. Zacchaeus has now been made clean, which is actually what his name means.

Yes, God raises the lowly to shame the strong (Luke 1:52). He can draw water with a basket to shame the bucket. Let no one think that God does not love the other person beside him/her. God can select the stupid to stupefy the wise. May we reflect on these words as I wish you a blessed week ahead. God bless you.

PRIDING OUR GOOD DEEDS CANNOT ACHIEVE US ACQUITAL AT GOD’S JUDGMENT

HOMILY FOR THE 30^TH SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR, C

Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

But woe to you Pharisees, for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God (cf. Luke 11:42)

Am afraid, we are becoming Pharisees. The way today Christians focus on tithe and tithing these days is alarming. We are losing our Christian ideal. To be candid, tithe is very reductionistic of Christian sense of charity. Preachers talk on tithe these days as if to say it is a hard-core Christian teaching. We must spell it out that tithing is a Jewish practice which every Christian is called to go beyond. Ours is not a law for tithe, but a law for love (of an unconditional sacrifice, of self-emptying for the other, and offering all you have, and not merely a part). If you pay tithe, make sure that you do so out of love to offer something for the good of the Church and of the poor, not as something conditional for divine progress and success. Any preacher who tells you that without tithe the Lord will not bless you is a thief. With these words, I welcome you to our weekly food for the soul.

The arrangement of the Gospel according to St. Luke is very awesome. Last Sunday, we read the importance of persisting in prayer. This Sunday, we are presented with the manner with which every Christian should pray. The very first sentence of the Gospel (Luke 18:9-14) spells out clearly the reason for which the parable was told or the people about whom the parable refers: to some who were self-confidently sure that they were righteous and who despised others. This parable has two characters that did the same thing at the same place, but in different ways. They did the same thing, as they went to pray. The devout Jew observed three periods of prayer daily (9am, 12pm, and 3pm). So, at these hours, many went to pray. They went to the same place – the temple. Prayer was held to be especially efficacious if it was offered in the Temple courts. However, the people prayed differently and actually it is this that became the distinguishing part of the story.

One, a Pharisee...

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself. The story does not give us much stress in deciphering the person who prayed as he should. He came very near to the Holy of Holies (as the location of the tax collector probably suggests this) seeing himself as most worthy to be in God’s presence. He did not pray to God. Rather, he prayed to himself. The Pharisee was brandishing his goodness and piety before God. He exhibited pride, arrogance and self-righteousness. He did not even show a belief that the other person whom he regards as a sinner can repent and do the will of God. True prayer is offered to God. Only God alone is the being that we ought to pray to; not ourselves nor the earthly rulers, or worse still the devil.

Looking at the content of his prayer, he did not say this prayer based on the presence of the tax collector neither did he only disregard him. This was his modus orandi (mode of prayer). He disregarded the rest of men. The rest of men here are those country people that are not Pharisees. Pharisees prided themselves in the strict observance of the law. In their thinking, all others are evil: thieves, adulterers, and unjust. This Pharisee had to cite an example with the one present: or even as this tax collector. This is the high point of the manifestation of his self-righteousness. He enumerated the ingredients with which they weighed righteousness and sinners. They must have imagined; indeed actually believed that the strict keeping of the law sets them on a higher plane in God’s sight and can be used for their acquittal when God’s judgment dawns. He fasts twice a week and pays his tithe. Fasting twice a week truly was seen as going an extra mile in the observance of the Jewish law. The Jewish law prescribed only one absolutely obligatory fast: on the Day of Atonement. However, those who fasted twice a week wore rumpled and whitened faces and appeared in untidy clothes demonstrating their piety for others to know and respect them. He also paid his tithes, and probably never went beyond the demands of the tithes in helpfulness of the poor, the widow and the needy. In all, the Pharisee went to tell God how good he has been in keeping to the law (which they have misinterpreted over the years). His were words of supererogation. He thinks his words would grant him acquittal at God’s court of justice. It is a pity for it turned out to be his condemnation. He has justified himself and no longer needs God’s free gift of justification. He justifies himself; and to this sort of people, the Scripture is clear:  you are those who justify your selves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15). Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled (cf. Luke14:11).

The other, a tax collector...

The tax collector stood afar off and would not lift even his eyes to heaven, and kept beating his breast. The Clause ‘standing afar off’ helps us to understand that he did not even think himself worthy of coming into the dwelling place of God. He is also humble as he did not see himself fit to behold the Lord in his temple; hence, his eyes were down. He accused himself and was beating his breast which is a sign of repentance. He then said: O God, be merciful to me –the sinner, as if he was not merely a sinner, but the sinner per excellence. This is a prayer laden with humility, repentance, and dependence on God. His were words and actions of self-despising. The tax collector is acquitted at God’s court of justice, for he has recognized his need of God’s mercy and has shown sorrow for his sins. Hence, he needs God’s free gift of justification. Anyone who humbles himself will be exalted (cf. Luke 14:11).

The First Reading (Sirach 35:12c-14.16-18b) brings out the more the nature of God’s justice and His free gift of justification. The Lord is a just judge. He alone is the judge; not man. He does not also joke with the suffering poor as he hears their cries. Most importantly, the prayer of the humble pierces the clouds and reaches the Lord’s ear who is the executor of judgment against his oppressor. With regard to justice, he shows no partiality; but when the poor are wounded and victimized, he justifies them and does not delay in executing judgment. Just three points to take home:

1. Pride renders our prayers superfluous. We may think that we are praying without knowing that we are merely making some noise and ridiculing ourselves. Surely, no man who is proud can pray. Our prayer must demonstrate humility and contrite heart. We must always pray like the Psalmist that the Lord delivers us and atones for our sins (Psalm79:9). We pray like Daniel: O Lord, hear O Lord, forgive...pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name (Dan 9:19).

2. No man who despises his fellow man can pray. Prayer is not an avenue to exalt ourselves above others. Rather, we pray for the bleeding, sinful and suffering humanity which we are all part of. We must constantly bear in mind that the Lord executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing (Deut 10:18). So, when we see someone we consider as sinful, poor or straying, we must regard the person as one whom God desires so dearly, and one whom God actually loves and cherishes. With this consciousness, we avoid pride, self-righteousness and calumny.

3. Our good deeds are done for the love we have for God and for humanity, not for passage through the corridors of God’s judgment. Our justification is a divine gift requiring human effort, not just human effort demanding divine justification. Any one of us can think that he/she has done enough good things as to merit him/her heaven, but no one of us should think that the good things he/she has done are sole conditions for eternal life with God. The beatific vision, our justification is a divine gift. However, this gift moves alongside divine justice. St. Paul was very sure today that the Lord is a righteous judge, and as a righteous judge, he will not abandon him after having worked for him (2 Tim 4:6-8.16-18). As Christians, this should be our disposition after our good deeds. Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory. I wish you a blessed week ahead. God bless you.

HOLDING UP THE HAND OF MOSES

HOMILY FOR THE 29^TH SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Rev. Fr. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

Child of God, I would not know your reaction when you encounter difficulties. I may not also be able to decipher your response when people throw stones at you. You know what? Permit me to offer you this simple formula: when people throw stones at you (and already it is presumed that the stones gave you some bruises), just put up a smile, and convert those stones to become stepping stones to better jumps and greater heights, rather than weeping and allowing those stones to become stumbling blocks for you. With these words, I usher you to our weekly food for the soul.

A boy mistakenly fell into an ancient dry well. He shouted for help, but help was nowhere to meet him. He looked around and discovered that there were many block-structured stones scattered all over the floor of the well, and at both ends of the base was a flowing water passing continuously through the base of the well. He furthermore discovered that on the sides of the well (up to its mid) are holes which do not permit the flowing water to fill the well. Only those stones scattered on the floor could fit in to the holes so as to allow the flowing water to fill the well to the brim. This the boy realized. He smiled. He then firstly blocked one end of the holes at the base so that the water will no longer pass through. He had thought to himself: if only I can slot in these stones into these side holes, then this water (which has no outlet now) will carry me out of the well.

This was a tedious work to do and requires much dexterity, persistence and skill. He once more shouted to see if any help would come, but there was none. He finally decided to go through the pains of this work before he dies of hunger. He picked up the stones and started fixing them into their holes. As he did this, the water brought him up (since he was a good swimmer and had learnt to hold his breath underwater). On reaching the middle of the well, the work was done. The water became now more intense since the outlet holes were all covered. He now only had to remain on the water with his breath withheld, and so was he saved. He persisted in his work and what his intelligence and struggle offered him made him to be saved. How many times do we seek for help from far away when the Lord has already provided some form of help around us to assist us scale through our difficulties? In our prayer life, how many times have we given up just because we had expected a solution or an answer within a specified period and never got it?

The staff of God...

In the First Reading (Exodus 17:8-13) today, we encounter a strong character, Moses and how he made use of his God-given power and initiative. One thing is very mind-opening about this passage. Moses’ action and decision in holding up his staff does not come from his interaction with Yahweh, who had before now instructed him on how to lead the people. Moses had cried out to God when the people demanded for water (in the preceding pericope: Exodus 17:1-7), but in this case, he did not cry out; he rather decided based on his knowledge of God. Moses had discovered that there is power in his staff, for before now Yahweh had always reminded him of how powerful that staff is. It was this staff that Moses took in his hands when he was returning to Egypt to rescue his people in Exodus 4:20. Indeed, this staff had become synonymous with the power of Moses. With this same staff, Moses struck the Red Sea and it was divided (in Exodus 14:16). With this same staff, Moses struck the rock (Exodus 17:5), and water flew out. The staff signified the miraculous power of God. In it lay the palpable sign of God’s presence with the Israelites in sojourn. Moses had discovered this. He has so related with God that he was sure that his decision to raise the staff will bring Israel success. Now, seeing that there was an attack on his people, he said to his assistant (cf. Exodus 24:13): “...go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” Joshua did this and God manifested his power to the Israelites. As Moses held up the staff in his hands, the Israelites prevailed, but if he lowers it, the Amalekites prevailed. In the staff is victory. In the staff is power. In the staff is dominion. With the staff, you become a winner, and not a loser. With the staff, you become a victor and not a victim. But you must have to do something extra: Hold up the staff and never let it down.

Holding up the hands of Moses...

Something happened as the hands of Moses grew weary. Its weariness would mean a defeat of the Israelites. What did they do? They took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. Aaron Who Represents The Source Of Priesthood (The Priesthood Of Aaron) And Hur Who Represents The Source Of Governance (Governed The People Together With Aaron When Moses Grew Weak) Spells Out Clearly How Important It Is For The Priest And The Governor To Constantly Hold Up The Hands Of Moses. They Ought To Be Of Support For The Victory Of The People They Are Leading. The hand of Moses became a symbol for continuous victory. The steadiness of those hands in being up assures Israelites a steady win; and not winning some and losing some. They were bent on winning throughout. They never gave Amalekites any opportunity to win at some periods. Christians must be bent on winning throughout. We must never give the devil any opportunity to strike, and then having been stricken rise to wage further war. We need to make sure that our winning remains steady. For the devil prowls round like a roaring lion seeking for someone to devour; stand up to him, strong in faith (cf. 1 Pet 5:8-9). Let us not offer any chance for our adversaries to defeat us. We must act like Aaron and Hur in support of fellow Christians, praying for one another and praying with one another. As a community, we conquer. Igwe bu ike.

And the Amalekites were won...

With the hands of Moses steadily up, Joshua overcame the Amalekites with his sword. They were won. The children of God became victorious. Indeed, I am sure that the eye reading this homily must become victorious. We must be victorious over the devil, over its pumps; indeed, over the current situation that we have found ourselves in our dear country. I assure you today that it is well. Rise up, take up your mat and walk home in joy. You have won.

But what is my staff as a Christian?

As a Christian, my staff is prayer. The staff of Moses for us is the gift of prayer. That is our weapon against the devil. As Catholic Christians, there are also so many instruments to make us sharpen this staff (prayer): the rosary, the Stations of the Cross, the Divine Mercy, etc. These devotional prayers are there for us to sharpen our weaponry for the battle against evil. Prayer is our staff. In our Holy Bible too are very many prayerful chapters and verses that help us to enrich our arsenal and load our weapons. The Scripture is inspired and is profitable in making us righteous men. These are few words from the Second Reading today (2Tim 3:14-4:2).

The Lord says in 2 Chr. 7:14: if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. And in Psalm 122:6, we are exhorted to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Nigeria). We must watch and pray that we may not fall into temptation (Mtt. 26:41). St. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). And the apostle James enjoins us to pray for one another (Jas 5:16). Indeed, we cannot ever over-emphasize the need for persistence in the prayer life of the Christian. Every Christian must pray. It is our staff. The staff alongside the hand of Moses signifies prayer, whereas holding up the hands of Moses signifies persistence in our prayer. We ought to pray and never lose heart (Luke 18:1). We see this in the first sentence of the Gospel Reading today (Luke 18:1-8). Jesus tells the parable of the Persistent Widow to his disciples to teach them the necessity of being importunate in our prayers. We must persist in prayer; and so we defeat.

To wrap up this soul food, we go back to our story of ‘the boy in the well.’ Just like the boy, we encounter difficulties in life. And many times, we keep looking out for help where help may not easily come from. We shout and shout for help whereas God has already provided us with the necessary help we need. We need only to look around ourselves and our environment to discover what God has provided. Having discovered this, effort is still needed to help ourselves come out of the difficulty. The problem sometimes is that our eyes are turned towards others to think for us, work for us and then come to our rescue. We can do these things by ourselves. We have all it takes to relate individually with God. God can hear the prayers of every one of us. We pray and work; for it is actually in working that we have demonstrated our lives of faith and prayer. Never grow tired of prayer and good works. Both go hand in hand. I thus end with these words of the Scriptures: I desire then that in every place every person should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarrelling (cf. 1Tim 2: 8). This is God’s desire for you. It is also my desire for you as I strongly belief that you will not cease to hold up the hands of Moses. May you have a fruitful week ahead. God bless you.

WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR TODAY?

HOMILY FOR THE 28^TH SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

REV. FR. EZEKOKA PETER ONYEKACHI

Now, one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks (Luke 17:15-16).

Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant (2 Kings 5:15)

The Gospel (Luke 17: 11 -19) alongside the First Reading (2 Kings 5:14-17) is so clear about the theme of gratitude. Jesus healed ten men who were lepers, but only one (a Samaritan) returned to give thanks to God for the healing. Naaman was healed of his leprosy; and then returned to show some gratitude to God by the gifts he desired to offer to the man of God (Elisha). The lessons here are so clear. However, I wish to bring out some salient points about gratitude from the three points below extracted from these episodes.

But permit me to correct an impression about this passage of the healing of the ten lepers: the healing of the ten lepers has nothing to do (in context, content or pretext) with tithe and tithing which many preachers use to back up their interest in tithes. We must disregard any usage of this passage as a back-up for the teaching on tithe.

1. Beyond the healing of the leprosy disease

Persons with skin diseases were not clean or holy and therefore were isolated from concourse with the Holy people of God in cities and were banned from participation in the Temple worship of God, the Holy one. Leviticus 13 and 14 gives us a full detail of how those with such a skin disease are relegated and separated from the rest of the peoples (cf. Numbers 5:2-3). From these passages, we realize that there is, prior to the healing of these men a high, solid boundary separating these men from the rest of their brothers and sisters.

a) Naaman was aware of this. He was aware of what leprosy as a disease can deny him of. It can even make him loose his post as the commander of the army of Syria. But because he enjoyed favours from both the Lord God and his human superior (the king of Syria), he gained the opportunity of meeting with the prophet Elisha in Israel. So his healing gave him all the more some security in his job, but beyond that an acceptance of him in the community. He was very grateful for this. He was then pushed to show appreciation which is a noble act to have done. How many of us are loved by God but do not even remember to love God back?

b) The ten lepers of the gospel experienced this separation too. And actually, it was this separatedness that brought them together. Having been ostracized from their natural community by the mere event of this illness, they tried to build a fake community that can never last. This sort of community or union is bound to fail and be destroyed for her initial purpose is based on something not divinely willed or is it humanly pleasurable.

i) Many Christians today are into fake communities due to particular illnesses and sins we have entangled ourselves with. We must be aware that those unions can never last and are bound to crumble. We find ourselves separated from our natural community and from our faith community. And the quagmire here is that we are unable to free ourselves from the entanglements and chains of these illnesses and sins. We only need Jesus to pass by and heal. Paul made it clear that one who lives in Jesus is not in chains. The word of God is not chained (2 Tim 2:8-13). That is why he who reads and abides in it cannot be chained. We need Jesus to restore us again; but we must have to cry out like these ten lepers (Jesus, Master, have mercy on us) or like the blind Bartimeaus: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me (Mark 10:47-48). Only Jesus can liberate us from such prison where we have been made to suffer for faults of our and for faults of not ours.

ii) Jesus, full of compassion healed these men, and thus commanded them to go and show themselves to the priest to be certified worthy of mingling with others in the community. Thus, by the act of healing the leprosy of these ten men, Jesus was not only healing them of the physical ailment, but also restoring the ten back to the human society and community where before now they had been ostracized and banned from. Jesus heals us of all ailments and restores us back to our original state of sanctity, of peace and of utmost tranquillity. These men received a double portion of God’s love but only one could reciprocate by going back to Jesus.

2. Beyond the gratitude shown by Naaman and the Samaritan

It is clear that these two characters showed gratitude for what God did in their lives. These two saw and understood what God had done in their lives. Luke was clear about this. It was  the Samaritan (not the other nine who are Jews) that saw and understood fully what has really happened. His seeing leads him to understand not only that he is healed, but that he has found salvation. His return to Jesus amounts to his conversion. He praised God for what he has done.

a) We can be healed; and not converted. Just as the return of the one man amounted to his conversion, when we return to give God thanks for what he has done in our lives, then has the process of our conversion kicked off. Gratitude paves way for conversion. Gratitude makes conversion more solid and rooted. Gratitude confirms a heart that seeks conversion. What is it that the Lord has done for you? Why are you not thankful? So many of us do not even thank God for what he has done. We are only bent on asking more. We do not even know that gratitude to God for what he has done for us leads us to a greater awareness of how we need God all the more.

b) We must learn to praise God whenever we experience wonders in our lives, and not just the human instrument. Many Christians today forget that miracles are all the handiworks of God. God uses human instruments to perpetrate his healing acts on us. We must first and foremost be grateful to Him who has done it. The Samaritan praises God for what he has done through Jesus who was God’s agent. All praise to God, not to man.

3. Beyond the questions asked by Jesus

Gratitude to God for what he has done is a sure test of faith. Where not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praises to God except this foreigner? These are questions that prove that God wants us to be grateful to Him always. Jesus tells the Samaritan: go, your faith has saved you. A converted one is a faithful one. He now has faith. Now, he is saved. In comparison with the other nine, he is healed and saved, while they were only healed. It is also striking that the saved one is a Samaritan; the one the Jews does not consider as a chosen one. It is interesting how Luke draws his hero outside the chosen people. Be that as it may, if we consider ourselves chosen, we must strive to be the hero in Christ. If we see ourselves derailing from what we ought to be in Christ, we should make a leap of faith to become the hero which we are called to.

In all, there are various practical relevance that these episodes present to us. A Roman Philosopher has one said: “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the mother of all others” (Marcus Tullius Cicero). A show of gratitude helps a lot. Many a time, we fail to show gratitude to the people who matter in our lives. We fail to show gratitude to our teachers, our parents, our benefactors, our benefactresses, our friends. Sometimes, a simple ‘thank you’ is very far from our lips. We pride ourselves as if we are able to achieve everything on our own. The worst part of it is that we are comfortable hurting those who mean well for us; hurting those who have suffered for our good; hurting those who have suffered to see to our upliftment. Students after graduation ridicule their lecturers, and look unto them as those who dealt with them. They fail to see that without the assistance of those teachers, they may not have made it to the particular level they are. Servants tend to disregard their masters after settlement, and would even slander them. These are not Christian lifestyles. We must learn to show gratitude. Even amidst suffering and pain, there must be something to be grateful for. Discover yours and try some form of gratitude.

I end with this story (copied from the blogger, jyostna, A collection of short stories). A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: I am blind, please help. There were only a few coins in the hat. A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?” The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.” I wrote: Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it.
Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?  Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively. Enjoy your day with a heart of gratitude. Enjoy the new week with a heart of gratitude, as I wish you a blessed Sunday. God bless you.