The Pulpit Online: Sunday homilies

Twenty-Sixth Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 04:51

Homily (Reflection) for
the Twenty-Sixth Sunday of the Year (B) (26th September, 2021) on
the Gospel

Num
11:25-29;

Ps
18:8.10.12-14 (R. V. 9);

Jas
5:1-6;

Mk 9:38-43. 45. 47-48 (9:38-48).

Ngozi, a little girl
of about five years old had watched her mother with keen interest while
preparing meals especially as she opens pots that has been on fire for a long
time without using anything to protect her hands. One day, she enquired from her
mother the secret behind the magic (act). In response, her mother told her that
fire does not hurt elderly people. And without questioning further, Ngozi
assimilated her mother’s reply as it was given.

After some weeks,
Ngozi was at their neighbour’s house playing with her mates while their mother
was cooking at the kitchen. The kitchen has no walls so the children could see
virtually everything going on there. At a point, the woman opened the pot to
see how the cooking was going but she could not bear the heat of the cover that
made her to scream and threw the cover on the floor. Ngozi full of amazement
asked her play mates (mostly children of the woman), ‘So your mother is still a
little girl?’

Topic: Quo Vadis – Heaven or Hell?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxy6LYI8oOEJGZHbuTx3gsOd3woFxTcKvTYhp7DKdQs0d1yMvTvH9AeKBmywabg87jlsnVcef-BPamuBYoOCgcrs0sUBRZTe4Mb7bWvICy4bQ2K5PLEaqjjeWip9RSiwJYcQH-CUXcuQ/s259/26.09.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxy6LYI8oOEJGZHbuTx3gsOd3woFxTcKvTYhp7DKdQs0d1yMvTvH9AeKBmywabg87jlsnVcef-BPamuBYoOCgcrs0sUBRZTe4Mb7bWvICy4bQ2K5PLEaqjjeWip9RSiwJYcQH-CUXcuQ/s0/26.09.2021.jpg" width="259" /></a></div> Today’s gospel can be divided into two:
teaching about Another Exorcist using Jesus’ name and teaching about
Temptations to Sin. But we shall concentrate on the second one – Temptations to
Sin.

Often people offer assorted
reasons why they indulged in one sin or another. In today’s gospel however, we
see how grievous is the consequences of sin in Jesus teaching, <o:p></o:p>

If your hand causes you to sin,
cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go
into unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. If your foot causes you to sin,
cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be
thrown into hell with two feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it
out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two
eyes and be thrown into hell, ‘where the
maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’ (Mk 9:43, 45, 47-48. LASB, NLT).<o:p></o:p>

This teaching can be reframed in
many ways for easier assimilation like: If earthly life, health, money,
marriage, children, parents, friends, property, connection, and so on will
cause you to sin, cut it/them out. It is better to enter the Kingdom of God
without them than to have them and be thrown into hell fire, ‘where the maggots
never die and the fire never goes out. Jesus warns,<o:p></o:p>

For those who want to save their
life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For
what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?
Or what will they give in return for their lives? (Matt 16:25-26).<o:p></o:p>

Our lives here on earth affect
others either positively or negatively. Hence, Jesus began the second part of
the gospel in this way, <o:p></o:p>

If any of you put a stumbling
block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for
you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into
the sea (Mk 9:42). <o:p></o:p>

The woman we saw in our
introductory story could not endure the steam from her pot and the temperature
of the cover of her pot, that are under her control. How can one endure the
fires of hell? Jesus warns us of the fires of hell that were prepared for the
devil and his angels, cf. Matt 25:41.
Prophet Nahum rightly asked, “Who can stand before his indignation? Who can
endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks
are broken asunder by him” (Nah 1:6).
It is therefore left for each and every one of us to choose where to go –
heaven or hell.

Bible
Reading: Matt 7:13-14; 10:16-33; 16:24-27; 2Pt 2:1-22.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: Where are you preparing for – heaven or hell?

Let
us Pray: God, our Father, help us to live the life that will earn us
the kingdom prepared for your blessed from the foundation of the world – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

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Twenty-Sixth Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday of the Year (B) (26 th September, 2021) on the Gospel Num 11:25-29; Ps 18:8.10.12...

Twenty-Fifth Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 05:10

Homily (Reflection) for
the Twenty-Fifth Sunday of the Year (B) (19th September, 2021) on
the Gospel

Wis
2:12.17-20;

Ps
53:3-6.8 (R. V. 6);

Jas
3:16–4:3;

Mk 9:30-37.

In the company of a
nobleman, Nasruddin visited the public bath. Once there, the nobleman jokingly
asked Nasruddin, ‘If I were a slave, what would be a reasonable price for me?’

Responded Nasruddin:
‘Only 50 dinars.’

The nobleman angrily
told him, ‘why, my bathing cloth costs 50 dinars!’

Nasruddin retorted:
‘Oh, that’s exactly what I told you – the price of your bathing cloth! Because,
a nobleman has no value!’ Culled from Sagayanathan, A. (2009). Launching
Pad: Stories for Sunday Homilies, Year – A, B & C. Bangalore: Asian
Trading Corporation, p. 218.

Topic: Set priorities right.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36CDJr8sOnqJoe233s-B5Jutx7E8vMumTUYbRLmwwOu4WnNKIo8bAI9Grg7eKrt2meR-j0qfnQuu41zWh0U98uvazLCCMQJGHiBWfEMQkAq1_8p0t1s6aQtcNO36S1Y1yd71R9sH1jPM/s264/19.09.2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="264" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36CDJr8sOnqJoe233s-B5Jutx7E8vMumTUYbRLmwwOu4WnNKIo8bAI9Grg7eKrt2meR-j0qfnQuu41zWh0U98uvazLCCMQJGHiBWfEMQkAq1_8p0t1s6aQtcNO36S1Y1yd71R9sH1jPM/s0/19.09.2021.png" width="264" /></a></div> In today’s gospel, Jesus began to reveal
to His disciples the hard truth that “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into
human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will
rise again” (Mk 9:31). The gospel
goes further, “But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid
to ask him” (Mk 9:32).

Despite the fact that the gospel
explicitly stated Jesus’ intention for the twelve: “And he appointed twelve,
whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the
message, and to have authority to cast out demons” (Mk 3:14-15), in their ignorance, they “argued with one another who
was the greatest” (Mk 9:34). And
this is quite contrary to Jesus’ intention for them, cf. Mk 10:41-45; Matt 20:24-28.<o:p></o:p>

On our call as Christians, Saint
Peter wrote, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called
you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1Pt 2:9). He went on, “Once you were no people but now you are
God's people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy”
(1Pt 2:10). And in the gospel
according to Saint John we read that “... to all who received him, who believed
in his name, he gave power to become children of God” (Jn 1:12). Saint John also wrote, “By this it may be seen who are
the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not do
right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother” (1Jn 3:10). Earlier in the Book of
Deuteronomy we read, “... what does the LORD your God require of you, but to
fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD
your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deut 10:12). Similarly, in prophet Micah we also read, “He has
showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to
do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic 6:8).<o:p></o:p>

Juxtaposing the call of the
apostles and their behaviour in today’s gospel on one side and our own call and
our behaviour today on the other, are we better off? Through the prophet Hosea
God complains, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have
rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have
forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hos 4:6). Being a priest in this
contest is not limited to the ministerial priests. Every baptised is a priest
as already cited, cf. 1Pt 2:9.
Through the prophet Jeremiah God also complains, “For my people are foolish,
they know me not; they are stupid children, they have no understanding. They
are skilled in doing evil, but how to do good they know not” (Jer 4:22).<o:p></o:p>

Dear friends in the Lord, God is
embittered because of our wickedness, injustice, hatred, selfishness,
faithlessness, and so on through which we have disorganized the world, cf. Gen 6:5-8. Just like the apostles who
were ignorantly arguing over who was the greatest, what bothers us today is not
our inability to do the will of God but the things we expect from God. Remember
that for Nasruddin, the value of the nobleman in the slave market is
just his bathing cloth. In like manner, God does not worth more than one of the
channels we look for husbands, wives, children, wealth, protection, good
health, longevity, power, breakthrough, connections, employment, and so on? We
rarely see God as our Father who teaches us. And the relationships between
ourselves seem to be worst. Most often we see the other just as a means to what
we want. However, we ought to “... be blameless and innocent, children of God
without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you
shine as lights in the world” (Phil 2:15).

Bible
Reading: Jer 4:1-4; Jn 1:1-13; Phil 2:12-17; Mk 10:35-45; 1Jn
3:1-24.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: Reflect briefly on why you search for God and again why you keep
relationships including your marriage.

Let
us Pray: God, our Father, give us the grace to follow you always as
our Father, our Lord, and our Master. And may we also respect the dignity of
others always – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

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Twenty-Fifth Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday of the Year (B) (19 th September, 2021) on the Gospel Wis 2:12.17-20; Ps 53:3-6.8...

Twenty-Fourth Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 05:07

Homily (Reflection) for
the Twenty-Fourth Sunday of the Year (B) (12th September, 2021) on
the Gospel

Is
50:5-9;

Ps
114:1-6.8-9 (R. V. 9);

Jas
2:14-18;

Mk 8:27-35.

Little Tommy’s
parents had tried everything to help him with his math grade: tutors, flash cards,
‘Hooked on Math’ special learning centres, everything. Finally, they enrolled
him in the local Catholic school. The very first day, he came home with a very
serious look on his face, went straight to his room, and started studying. His
mother was amazed. Books and papers were spread out everywhere, and Little
Tommy was hard at work. As soon as dinner was through, he marched right back up
to his room without a word and studied more. This went on for weeks until
Little Tommy proudly brought home his report card and showed it to his parents:
And ‘A’ in Math!

“‘Tommy! This is great! I’m so proud of
you! Son, what was it? What helped motivate you? Was it the nuns?’ his mother
asked.

“Little Tommy shook his head.

“‘Well, then, was it the books? The
discipline? The structure? The uniforms? What?’

“Little Tommy looked
at her and said, ‘Well, Mom, it’s like this. When I saw that guy out in the
lobby nailed to a plus sign, I knew they weren’t kidding around!’” Culled from Thomas,
T. (2010). Spice up your homilies. Mumbai: ST PAULS, pp. 115-116.

Topic: Look Beyond the Present.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRSJMQY0w5vPcLSfwn8s_JXEXj7CaIIjlVIegTbDWTAhe6subwAuIJHVJVMTjFkoriTy0-tMlZC0pBcNs4V7vA7IMsfcstHMifpqADREFuaQqDq4srQRyzdIZIhoaAin4LC6u-ynN3p4/s259/12.09.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRSJMQY0w5vPcLSfwn8s_JXEXj7CaIIjlVIegTbDWTAhe6subwAuIJHVJVMTjFkoriTy0-tMlZC0pBcNs4V7vA7IMsfcstHMifpqADREFuaQqDq4srQRyzdIZIhoaAin4LC6u-ynN3p4/s0/12.09.2021.jpg" width="259" /></a></div> In the gospel according to Saint John,
when Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother found his brother (Simon Peter) he said to
him: “‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means Christ)” (Jn 1:41). And in the gospel according to Saint Matthew, Peter and
his brother, Andrew “left their nets [their source of livelihood] and followed”
Jesus (Matt 4:20; cf. Mk 1:18). At a
point, Peter even put this question to Jesus: “Lo, we have left everything and
followed you. What then shall we have?” (Matt
19:27; cf. Mk 10:28; Lk 5:11). In the same vein, sons of Zebedee made this
request: “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.... Grant us
to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory” (Mk 10:35,37; cf. Matt 20:21). And “when the ten heard this, they began to be angry
with James and John” (Mk 10:41)
which is a serious indication that they all fixed their eyes on what they would
get.

And in today’s gospel we read that
after Peter’s declaration about Jesus, Jesus went on to teach His disciples
what would come: “...the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be
rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and
after three days rise again” (Mk 8:31).
Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him, (cf. Mk 8:32) after all “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”.

We read further, “But turning and
looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For
you are setting your mind not on divine
things but on human things” (Mk 8:33).
And sad enough, many Christians today, both the laity and the clergy set their
minds on human things instead of on divine things. Many have forgotten
completely those important questions Jesus daily asks each and every one of us:
“what will it profit you if you gain the whole world but forfeit your life? Or
what will you give in return for your life”, cf. Matt 16:26? You can also personalize these questions in this or
similar manner: ‘what will it profit me if I gain the whole world ....’ Hence,

He called the crowd with his disciples,
and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves
and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life
will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of
the gospel, will save it (Mk 8:34-35).

Little Tommy’s grade in Mathematics
changed for good because of his understanding of the image of Jesus Christ
crucified on the cross. Similarly, unless we understand our call as Christians
correctly, we will never cease seeing God as a political leader thereby looking
forward to seeing only what we will get from Him here and now. This is because
“... where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt 6:21; Lk 12:34). Our call goes beyond the present. We must therefore
look beyond the present to be able to see “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1Cor 2:9).

Bible
Reading: Matt 16:24-27; 19:13-30; Lk 5:1-11; 1Cor 2:6-16.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: How do you see God and your call to be His child?

Let
us Pray: Lord, help us to understand what it means to be your
children – Amen (cf. 1Jn 3:1; 1Cor 2:14).<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

Join our WhatsApp
Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p>

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Twenty-Fourth Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday of the Year (B) (12 th September, 2021) on the Gospel Is 50:5-9; Ps 114:1-6.8-9 ...

Twenty-Third Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 04:17

Homily (Reflection) for
the Twenty-Third Sunday of the Year (B) (05th September, 2021) on
the Gospel

Is
35:4-7;

Ps
145:7-10 (R. V. 1);

Jas
2:1-5;

Mk 7:31-37.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiARy7TCenFcPjGi-A-3SbvbCC3M-Xj9kn4sppGMEQ3SRKrVJxtPH1ur8dGSLwke9TzY9RE6UL-QMD6EDYrYjQTNjHmfHpjHVgSrTEK0rFxSCgb7WvHbJSNLFWkD6aAF4Py6ugI0TxEs/s258/05.09.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="258" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiARy7TCenFcPjGi-A-3SbvbCC3M-Xj9kn4sppGMEQ3SRKrVJxtPH1ur8dGSLwke9TzY9RE6UL-QMD6EDYrYjQTNjHmfHpjHVgSrTEK0rFxSCgb7WvHbJSNLFWkD6aAF4Py6ugI0TxEs/s0/05.09.2021.jpg" width="258" /></a></div> One parish priest
noticed a man who was active in virtually every activity in the parish and
wanted to know more about him. He had discussed with the man for a good number
of times on diverse issues. But one day, during their discursion that was
smooth as usual, the priest asked him about his married life. His countenance
fell immediately. And the priest was surprised and all his efforts to
understand why the sudden change and to cheer him up were all abortive. At a
point, the man managed to mutter: “Father, that is a closed issue that will
remain so forever.”

Topic: Ephphatha (Be Opened).

The Church of England celebrates today
‘Ephphatha Sunday’ which could be loosely translated ‘Opening Sunday’
[Sagayanathan, A. (2009). Launching Pad: Stories for Sunday Homilies,
Year-A, B & C. Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, p. 214]. And
we read in today’s gospel how the people brought a deaf man who also had an
impediment in his speech to Jesus and begged Him to lay his hand on him, cf. Mk 7:32. The gospel further narrates,

He took him aside in private, away from
the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his
tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha,’ that
is ‘Be opened.’ And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released,
and he spoke plainly (Mk 733-35).

The book of Genesis tells us that after
creation, “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good” (Gen 1:31). Among God’s creatures,
humans were made in the image and likeness of God, cf. Gen 1:26; 5:1; Jas 3:9. Yet when

The Lord saw that the wickedness of
humankind was great in the earth, and every inclination of the thoughts of
their hearts was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made
humankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart (Gen 6:5-6).

Jesus came to remake creation that had
been badly wounded by sin (the wickedness of man), cf. Jn 1:14; Zeph. 3:17. Hence,
He tells us that He came that we may have life, and have it to the full, cf. Jn 10:10.

In today’s gospel, Jesus looked up to
heaven because “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth”
(Ps 124:8). And the prophet Isaiah rightly
noted that those “… who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they
shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they
shall walk and not faint” (Is 40:31).

When the people saw what Jesus did in
today’s gospel they said, “He has done everything well” (Mk 7:37). A question for each and every one of us is, ‘What do
people say when they see our (co-creators) works; do they regret ever meeting
us just as God first regretted that He made man because of man’s wickedness or
do they give praise to God who made us (cf. Gen. 1:26-27, 28; Lk 18:43)?

We all need the healing touch of Jesus
in different areas of our lives to enable us hear the word of God and proclaim
it to the glory of God. Many areas of our lives are entirely closed like the
ear of the man Jesus cured in the gospel. Other areas although not entirely
closed but are poorly used. Many relationships like the man who told his parish
priest that his married life is a closed issue because of the pains from the
separation with his wife need the healing touch of Jesus. That same Jesus who restored
the wholeness of the man that was brought to Him is still at work and wants
each and every one of us to come to Him with our joys, pains, sorrows,
disappointments, heartbreaks, and so on. He can and also is willing to restore
all of us. Jesus also wants us to open up all closed avenues through which He
wishes to reach others through us. Just as Jesus put His fingers into that
man’s ears, spat and touched his tongue and looking up to heaven, sighed and
said to him, ‘Ephphatha,’ He wants us to do our part and look up to Him in
faith for the rest.

Father Sagayanathan goes further to
write on the need “to open up the various areas of our life and the ailments of
our bodies that require Abba’s blessing, Jesus’ healing touch and the
empowering breath of the Holy Spirit.

“Let’s whisper, ‘Ephphatha! Be opened’
to each part of our body, and every avenue of our existence:

“Be opened, my eyes, May I see
everything beautiful and the One who made it so.

“Ephphatha,
all eyes, may we see the evil lurking behind structures and our role in it.

“Be opened my ears, let the symphonies
of Nature resound in the recesses of my soul.

“Ephphatha,
all ears, let the cries of the poor and the powerless disturb our smugness.

“Be opened, my mouth, to sing psalms and
poems for the wonders God works today.

Ephphatha,
all mouths, to speak against untruth and injustice that silences the lowly.

“Be opened my heart, for the whole world
to find some place and some space therein.

“Ephphatha,
all hearts, breaking down divisions of high-low, rich-poor, pure-impure.

“May ... [we be opened] to a new
week, a new life, a new world” [Sagayanathan, A. (2009). Launching Pad: Stories for Sunday
Homilies, Year-A, B & C. Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, pp.
214-215].

Bible
Reading: Gen. 1:26-31; 6:1-7; Is 35: 1-6; Rom 10:5-21.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: Where do you need to open?

Let
us Pray: Lord, we plead with you to heal every part of our body that
is impaired that we may praise you fully in our lives – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

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Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p>

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Twenty-Third Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Twenty-Third Sunday of the Year (B) (05 th September, 2021) on the Gospel Is 35:4-7; Ps 145:7-10 (R. ...

Twenty-Second Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 04:12

Homily (Reflection) for
the Twenty-Second Sunday of the Year (B) (29th August, 2021) on the Gospel

Deut
4:1-2.6-8;

Ps
14:2-5 (R. V. 1);

Jas
1:17-18.21-22.27;

Mk 7:1-8.14-15.21-23.

One woman normally spins
bitter leaves around her head before putting them into the pot. After observing
her with keen interest for some time, her children enquired why that and she
told them that it prevents the leaves from making the soup bitter. They took that
as a dogma based on the source of the information and that it has survived many
generations. The children began to doubt the veracity of the ritual when she
refused to prepare soup with bitter leaves that were not prepared. According to
her, the ritual could only work after the leaves have been prepared at least a
little. One day however the woman as she struggled to finish cooking on time used
bitter leaves that were poorly prepared after observing the normal rituals. Unfortunately
the soup turned out to be as bitter as whatever one can think of. Her children
wondered and asked their mother why the ritual did not work. She told them that
the preparation of the bitter leaves did not meet the required standard for the
tradition work. Hum!

Topic: Traditions – God’s and the Elders.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0bopCnKuFPTG_jg7w594z4X6Q-x4Q3SO7j2FZE43_YEwupyXzCFjPUX2yGr1VOQEKNF1jlT6JHkDHJBGgU_2TL2EtedEVuTfkFzVDKStvXz380zraxVU3IfHmGGf27tYvAd8yy5Qlk4/s179/29.08.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="179" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0bopCnKuFPTG_jg7w594z4X6Q-x4Q3SO7j2FZE43_YEwupyXzCFjPUX2yGr1VOQEKNF1jlT6JHkDHJBGgU_2TL2EtedEVuTfkFzVDKStvXz380zraxVU3IfHmGGf27tYvAd8yy5Qlk4/s0/29.08.2021.jpg" width="179" /></a></div> The New Webster’s Dictionary of the
English Language (2000), defines tradition as “a cultural continuity
transmitted in the form of social attitudes, beliefs, principles and
conventions of behaviour etc deriving from past experiences and helping to
shape the present” (p. 1046). Not every tradition is bad but in some cultures
today, human traditions are generally seen as opposing to God’s commandments.

Among the Jews, tradition includes
the following:

...never eat without washing their arms
as far as the elbow; and on returning from the market place they never eat
without first sprinkling [bathing] themselves. There are also many other
observances which have been handed down to them to keep, concerning the washing
of cups and pots and bronze dishes (Mk
7:3-4, TNJB).

Could it be that Jesus is against
these – washing of arms, and bathing before eating, washing cups, pots, and
bronze dishes? In the gospel according to Saint Luke when the people were
surprised that He did not first wash His hands He said:

Now you Pharisees clean the outside of
the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You
fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give for
alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you (Lk 11:39-41).

And in today’s gospel we also read: “You
abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition” (Mk 7:8). Christians ought to live
according to the commandments of God because we are new creatures in Christ,
cf. 2Cor 5:17. This implies dying to
sin, cf. Rom 6:11; 8:1. We are to be
saved by living our lives as Christians not according to the human traditions.
Saint Paul writes:

yet we know that a person is justified
not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come
to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ,
and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the
works of law.  But if, in our effort to
be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ
then a servant of sin? Certainly not! (Gal
2:16-17).

Saint Paul also warns in his letter
to the Colossians: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy
and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental
spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ” (Col 2:8).

There is a story of a visitor who
“was being shown around [during Communist times] by a party official. The
visitor said, ‘Are you Catholic?’ and the official answered, ‘believing, but
not practising.’ The visitor later asked, ‘Are you a communist?’ The official
smiled and said, ‘Practising, but not believing’” (Fuller, G. (2010). Stories
for all seasons. Mumbai: St Pauls, pp. 90-91). Christians ought to
assess every human tradition with God’s and not the other way round as we see
in many communities today. Just like the party official who took the visitor
around, some Christians today believe in paganism but are not practicing it and
others practice Christianity but do not believe in it. And many more are pagans
both in belief and in practice yet they parade themselves Christians.

Like the woman in our introduction,
many never question anything that is said to have been received from the
elders. Joseph Addison rightly points out that “Tradition is an important help
to history, but its statements should be carefully scrutinized before we rely
on them” (The New Webster’s Dictionary
of the English Language, p. QD-92).
Every tradition must be subjected to the scrutiny of God’s commandments and
whichever one that falls short must be dropped and those who do not oppose
God’s commandments can be used as means of evangelization.

Bible
Reading: Matt 23: 1-36; Lk 11:37-52; Gal 2:11-14.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: What guides you – God’s or man’s traditions?

Let
us Pray: Our Father in heaven, give us your grace that will enable
us follow wholeheartedly the dictates of your commandments – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

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Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p>

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Twenty-Second Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Twenty-Second Sunday of the Year (B) (29 th August, 2021) on the Gospel Deut 4:1-2.6-8; Ps 14:2-5 (R....

Twenty-First Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 05:08

Homily (Reflection) for
the Twenty-First Sunday of the Year (B) (22nd August, 2021) on the Gospel

Josh
24:1-2.15-18;

Ps
33:2-3.16-23 (R. V. 9);

Eph
5:21-32;

Jn 6: 60-69.

A young girl in
her teens who dropped out of school in Senior Secondary School 1 (SSS1)
approached a priest with her intention to go back to school at least to
complete her secondary education but was financially handicapped. Moved with
pity, the priest decided to assist her actualize her dream. Plans were already
in the advanced stage for her to go back to school when she told the priest
that she was no longer interested in going back to school but would like to
register for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination in one of the
centres where different forms of examination malpractice are institutionalized.
Hence, “good results” are assured provided one can afford the bill. And
students continually leave schools where there is insistence on hard work to
those organised crime-centres even sometimes on the advice, approval,
cooperation, or even insistence of the parents. Efforts to dissuade her were
futile. The priest even visited her parents to see if they could help convince
their daughter to go back to school but their reactions especially that of the
mother showed they were solidly behind their daughter’s decision.

Topic: Wants to leave?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKFUpn9B8xRu9EDeoKBj3sZGIyzPNSFnBM3Ubb_N2KZ8-fdEkuWv2DNp1HNvNugjBVUgDCRLPNZRF26HjAZwxLTMCJEaeuUxoJZP3Dfbq_akIGwe8i9EngKyhm_0utibpS__4GHSTJks/s173/22.08.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="143" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKFUpn9B8xRu9EDeoKBj3sZGIyzPNSFnBM3Ubb_N2KZ8-fdEkuWv2DNp1HNvNugjBVUgDCRLPNZRF26HjAZwxLTMCJEaeuUxoJZP3Dfbq_akIGwe8i9EngKyhm_0utibpS__4GHSTJks/s0/22.08.2021.jpg" width="143" /></a></div> Jesus’ teaching in the gospel proper
to the Twentieth Sunday of year B made most of His disciples say in today’s
gospel: “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” (Jn 6:60). And Jesus being aware of their complaints goes on to
teach:

Does this offend you? Then what if you
were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit
that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are
spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe (Jn 6:61-64).

Jesus insistence on His Father’s
will (cf. Jn 4:34; 5:30; 6:38, 39)
‘caused’ Him most of the disciples He had gathered. Consequent upon this, one
would have expected Jesus to either plead with those leaving not to or changed
His teaching to suit them but He even turned to the remaining ones (the twelve)
and asked: “Do you also wish to go away?” (Jn
6:67).

Jesus came into the world to do the
will of He who sent Him, cf. Jn 6:38
and the sum of God’s word is truth; and every one of His righteous ordinances
endures forever, cf. Ps 119:160. In
the gospel according to Saint John, Jesus while praying for His disciples said:
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (Jn 17:17). Again, Jesus also admonished us in these words: “Let
what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil”
(Matt 5:37). And again, in Saint
Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians we read:

Was I vacillating when I wanted to do
this? Do I make my plans according to ordinary human standards, ready to say
‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’ at the same time? As surely as God is faithful, our
word to you has not been ‘Yes and No.’ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom
we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not ‘Yes and No’ ....
(2Cor 1:17-19).

Today whether the ministers of the
Word and sacraments proclaim their own words in place of God’s for their own
selfish interests calls for serious reflection. According to Saint Paul, people
who teach what they should not for their own selfish interests should be
silenced, cf. Tit 1:11. Sometimes we
tend to forget “If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and
mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own
life, he cannot be my disciple” (Lk
14:26). No one deserves the name, God’s minister, who does not place God’s
interest first in all things.

Proclaim God’s message in charity.
Proclaim the truth and not falsehood, cf. Eph
4:25. As we struggle to convert others, care must be taken to be converted
first so as not to mislead others. Those who teach others “shall be judged with
greater strictness” (Jas 3:1).

As you jump from one church to
another, what do we seek? Remember, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and
today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings...”
(Heb 13:8-9; cf. Eph 5:6). To Jesus’
question Peter wonderfully replied: “Lord, to
whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and
know that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn 6:68-69). Ministers and lay faithful must have faith as strong
as this to be able to serve God because “... without faith it is impossible to
please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and
that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb
11:6). The young girl in our introductory story wanted to have certificate
without studying for it. Do you want to have Christ without following His
footsteps? Remember in a corrupt world like ours, a lot of anomalies are
possible but not with God. Whoever wants Christ must follow Him, cf. Lk 9:23.

Bible
Reading: 2Cor 4:16-5:10; Heb 11; Jas 2:14-26; Gal 2:15-21;
Rom 3:21-31; 1Jn 2:18-28.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: Face-to-face with difficult situation, what do you
do – struggle to understand and solve the problem or take to your heels?

Let
us Pray: God, our Father and source of faith, may we always and
everywhere manifest our faith especially in difficult moments – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

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Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p>

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Twenty-First Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Twenty-First Sunday of the Year (B) (22 nd August, 2021) on the Gospel Josh 24:1-2.15-18; Ps 33:2-3.1...

Nineteenth Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 14:53

Homily (Reflection) for
the Nineteenth Sunday of the Year (B) (08th August, 2021) on the Gospel

1Kg
19:4-8;

Ps
33:2-9 (R. V. 9);

Eph
4:30–5:2;

Jn 6:41-51.

“A certain minister
was disturbed to see a shabby old man go into his church at noon every day and
come out again after a few minutes. What could he be doing? He informed the
caretaker and asked him to question the man. After all, the place contained
valuable furnishings. ‘I go to pray,’ the old man said in reply to the
caretaker’s questioning. ‘Come on,’ said the other, ‘you are never long enough
in the church to pray.’ ‘Well, you see,’ the shabby old man went on, ‘I cannot
pray a long prayer, but every day at 12 o’clock, I just come in and say,
‘Jesus, it’s Jim,’ and wait a minute and then come away. It’s just a little
prayer, but I guess He hears me.’

“When Jim was injured some time
later and taken to the hospital, he had a wonderful influence in the ward.
Grumbling patients became cheerful and often the ward would ring with laughter.
‘Well, Jim,’ said the sister to him one day, ‘the men say you are responsible
for this change in the ward. They say you are always happy.’

“Yes, sister, I am. I can’t help being
happy. You see, it’s my visitor. Every day he makes me happy.’

“‘Your visitor?’ The sister was
puzzled. She noticed that Jim’s chair was always empty on visiting days, for he
was a lonely old man, with no relations. ‘Your visitor? But when does he come?’

“‘Every day,’ Jim
replied, the light in his eyes growing brighter. ‘Yes, every day at 12 o’clock
he comes and stands at the foot of my bed. I see him and he smiles and says,
‘Jim, it’s Jesus’” (Fuller, G. (2010). Stories for all seasons. Mumbai: St
Pauls, pp. 88-89).

Topic: Accepting Jesus, the Teacher.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1A3T8CQu_uZsQ5AB1L7mu-VqVlxusDwQChOvh6HlWkzyUbF3R6LvNSihBQn8iS3udhZXTc2BhlnXcOI0ODOp2K5wxvUVEjdH8zKz3SxmXIWwDT_5XO4OSYTjFZaEA-8eLkC-vdDh1G8/s264/08.08.2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="264" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1A3T8CQu_uZsQ5AB1L7mu-VqVlxusDwQChOvh6HlWkzyUbF3R6LvNSihBQn8iS3udhZXTc2BhlnXcOI0ODOp2K5wxvUVEjdH8zKz3SxmXIWwDT_5XO4OSYTjFZaEA-8eLkC-vdDh1G8/s0/08.08.2021.png" width="264" /></a></div> In today’s gospel, Jesus goes on to
explain to the Jews and in fact to all of us that He is the bread that came
down from heaven for the life of the world:<o:p></o:p>

Very truly, I tell you, whoever
believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna
in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from
heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came
down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread
that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh (Jn 6:47-51).

Jesus’ teaching made the Jews
uncomfortable. Hence, they complained: “... ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of
Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down
from heaven’?” (Jn 6:42). The true
bread which is Jesus’ Body and Blood cannot be compared with the manna their
ancestors ate, which although satisfied those who ate it but could not offer
eternal life. Jesus, the bread of life not only give bodily satisfaction but
ultimately eternal life to all who accepts Him, cf. Jn 6:35, 48.

In the bible, Jesus was referred to
both by His disciples (cf. Jn 20:16),
friends (cf. Jn 11:28), the scribes
and the Pharisees (Lk 19:39; Jn 3:2; 8:4)
and even by Himself (cf. Lk 22:11; Jn 13:13-14) as the Teacher. Yet some
of these people who acknowledged Him as Teacher refused to listen to His
teaching: “I am the bread of life” (Jn
6:48). Today, more people refer to Jesus as their Lord, Teacher, Saviour,
God, and so on. Just like the time of historical Jesus, some who refer to Jesus
as their Lord, Teacher, Saviour, God and so on reject Christ’s Body and Blood,
the bread of life which is from heaven offered to us as a pledge of eternal
life. For some, they are mere piece of bread and wine. That the Jews knew Mary,
the mother of Jesus Christ and Joseph, His foster father did not remove the
fact that Jesus is the bread of life from heaven. Likewise, the appearance of
the Body and Blood of Jesus in the form of bread and wine did not remove the
fact that they are His real Body and Blood.

Let us take just one account of the
institution of the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ (Holy
Communion) which took place during His Last Supper with His disciples, as
recorded by Saint Paul. Jesus

...took a loaf of bread, and when he
had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do
this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper,
saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you
drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink
the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (1Cor 11:23-26).

My dear brothers and sisters, we
must recall God’s complain through the prophet Malachi: “A son honours his
father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honour?
And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you...’” (Mal 1:6). In the same vein, if Jesus is
our teacher, why do we reject His teaching: “I am the bread of life”? We should
accept this eternal life-giving bread freely offered to us by Jesus. He is our
Teacher. He knows better than all of us put together. Rejecting the bread of
life freely given is tantamount to freely accepting everlasting death. Just
like the case we see in our introductory story, accepting Jesus is not just for
the eternal life. Jesus calling us friends is not just a mere lip service, cf. Lk 12:4; Jn 15:15. However, it has a
price tag, doing what He commands us, cf. Jn
15:14.

Bible
Reading: Jn 13:1-20; 1Cor 11:23-26.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: Do you obey Jesus, our teacher?

Let
us Pray: Jesus, our Teacher, we are aware that we have
resisted your teaching in different ways. We pray for your grace to be
completely obedient to you – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

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Nineteenth Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Nineteenth Sunday of the Year (B) (08 th August, 2021) on the Gospel 1Kg 19:4-8; Ps 33:2-9 (R. V. 9);...

Eighteenth Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 04:25

Homily (Reflection) for
the Eighteenth Sunday of the Year (B) (01st August, 2021) on the Gospel

Ex
16:2-4.12-15;

Ps
77:3-4.23-25.54 (R. V. 24);

Eph
4:17.20-24;

Jn 6:24-35.

In
Father Gerard Fuller’s work, we read: “A farmer brought a load of wheat to the
elevator in a nearby town. He stopped at a restaurant and sat down near a group
of young fellows who were acting up, shouting at the cook, and heckling the
waitress. When his meal was set before him, the old gentleman bowed his head to
offer a prayer. One of the smart-alecks thought he would have some fun with the
farmer, so he shouted: Hey, Pop, does everyone do that where you come from?”
Calmly the old man turned toward the lad and in an equally loud voice replied:
“No, son, the pigs don’t” (Fuller, G. (2010). Stories for all seasons.
Mumbai: St Pauls, pp. 87-88).

Topic: Looking for Jesus?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mXQcyMu8YFA-X2bO3ia4sq-xu33sSstMIkbYWOa7H9RDtFpXiFCMCZMU8vWAVv9aHjQQsUNpzYlC3dFfZubnV6muYfaIvId3EUlT2hqK8R_YGCNc4lH2Js6PxJuXwlMpNMtB96Nc4e8/s259/01.08.2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mXQcyMu8YFA-X2bO3ia4sq-xu33sSstMIkbYWOa7H9RDtFpXiFCMCZMU8vWAVv9aHjQQsUNpzYlC3dFfZubnV6muYfaIvId3EUlT2hqK8R_YGCNc4lH2Js6PxJuXwlMpNMtB96Nc4e8/s0/01.08.2021.png" width="259" /></a></div> After feeding the large crowd in last
Sunday’s gospel (Jn 6:1-15) with
five loaves and two fishes, Jesus and His disciples crossed the sea to
Capernaum. And in today’s gospel, we see that same crowd got into “boats and
went to Capernaum looking for Jesus” (Jn
6:24).<o:p></o:p>

Bearing in mind that every miracle
is for us to believe, (cf. Jn 10:25.38;
Matt 11:20-24) one would think that they were looking for Jesus because
they had seen the mighty works and believed in Him. However, Jesus who knows
the thoughts of man (cf. Ps 94:11) said
to them in reply: “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because
you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves” (Jn 6:26). By implication, they were
looking for more loaves and not for Jesus.

Although they had been fed with just
five loaves and two fishes, yet they demanded for sign which according to them
would made them believe. Jesus is God’s sign to the world (cf. 1Jn 4:10). During His presentation in
the temple the blessed Simeon prophesied, “This child is destined for the
falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed
so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed ...” (Lk 2:34-35). Hence, when the crowd requested for a sign Jesus
offered them Himself as a sign in these words: “I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and
whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (Jn 6:34).

Jesus’ vital advice to the crowd and
us as well is “Do not work for food that perishes, but for the food that
endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him
that God the Father has set his seal” (Jn
6:27). This advice is important today more than ever because the crazy
quest for signs and wonders has eaten too deep into both the hierarchy and the
laity. Many look today “after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Phil 2:21). Most of the things we
pursue today do not gear towards our salvation. There is urgent need for all of
us – the laity and the clergy to “... seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well” (Matt 6:33). It is no longer news that
some Christians not excluding the clergy have sought evil powers for miracles.
We are rightly cautioned, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the
spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out
into the world” (1Jn 4:1). Saint
Paul explained further,

The coming of the lawless one is
apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, lying wonders, and
every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they
refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a
powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, so that all who have
not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned (2Thess 2:9-12).

In the words of the prophet, “Every
one deceives his neighbour, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their
tongue to speak lies; they commit iniquity and are too weary to repent” (Jer 9:5). The prophesy of Saint Paul is
fulfilled, “...the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching,
but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit
their own likings” (2Tim 4:3).

In our introductory story, the
farmer rightly told the young fellow who wanted to have some fun with him: “No,
son, the pigs don’t” pray to God. And as humans, we ought to look for God and
not just for what we want.

Bible
Reading: Lk 2:22-38; 1Cor 1:18-31; 1Jn 2:1-6; Col 1:15-23.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: Why are you in this church – for Jesus or for something else?

Let
us Pray: God give us the grace to search for you and you
alone – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

Join our WhatsApp
Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p>

Tel:
+234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p>

Eighteenth Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Eighteenth Sunday of the Year (B) (01 st August, 2021) on the Gospel Ex 16:2-4.12-15; Ps 77:3-4.23-25...

Seventeenth Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 04:50

Homily (Reflection) for
the Seventeenth Sunday of the Year (B) (25th July, 2021) on the Gospel

2Kgs
4:42-44;

Ps
144:10-11.15-18 (R. V. 16);

Eph
4:1-6;

Jn 6:1-15.

I
believe you must have heard the story of a young lady whose boy friend promised
to give a very special gift on her birthday. That promise became the headline
of most of her discussions especially while inviting her friends to her
birthday party. Some of her friends decided to attend the party just to behold
the “very special” gift.

On the appointed day, the venue was
filled with guests. But her boy friend was conspicuously absent. Each time he
was called he always asked for a little more time to get the very special gift
ready. The young lady’s desire to receive the gift kept increasing.

After a long time
of waiting, he called and told her that they could start the party because he
was no longer too far from the venue. Reluctantly she agreed but her boy friend
never came until during the presentation of gifts. He came in sweating
profusely and briskly went to his girl friend, while on his knees apologising
he gave her something in a black nylon bag. All the guests looked on to see the
very special gift. As she could no longer wait for a second further, she
hastily opened the bag and behold it was a loaf of bread. With a sternly
frowned face she asked him whether that was the very special gift and he
nodded. All the effort to calm her down was fruitless. She not only threw it
out through the window but also pushed him out. The man after much fruitless
pleading went and picked the “very special” gift. He opened it before all of
them and brought out a car key and an engagement ring among other things he
buried in it. The young lady realising how foolishly she had acted pleaded on
her knees with eyes filled with tears, but they were very late.

Topic: Appreciate whatever you have.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkjrSYZG3PSuBa7e3hvbIy1EhOooBQeMjm0eK_tWw6bw57X7v28BGKmKOKtkheCxzO1RFHlfQsuDGiDOu7VLsvbSA_CBNNVYhtkI8y-LGKri5k8d2KxypJeCzO-vILmu4BgBS2fKWOFE/s261/25.07.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkjrSYZG3PSuBa7e3hvbIy1EhOooBQeMjm0eK_tWw6bw57X7v28BGKmKOKtkheCxzO1RFHlfQsuDGiDOu7VLsvbSA_CBNNVYhtkI8y-LGKri5k8d2KxypJeCzO-vILmu4BgBS2fKWOFE/s0/25.07.2021.jpg" /></a></div> The crowd who followed Jesus were
impressed by the signs He did in curing the sick, cf. Jn 6:1. In verse 10 the gospel approximates the number to be as
many as five thousand men. And the gospel according to Saint Matthew is more
explicit that this large number excludes women and children, cf. Matt 14:21. Just approximate the
proportion of men, women, and children in this church. If the number of people
in this church is to be increased proportionally, how many women and children
do you think will be here by the time the men are up to five thousand?<o:p></o:p>

The magnitude of the responsibility of
feeding the crowd is captured in Philip’s reply to Jesus’ question rendered in
different ways by different translators. In The New Jerusalem Bible: Standard edition, it reads: “Two hundred
denarii would not buy enough to give them a little each” (Jn 6:7). And according to The
Holy Bible: The New Revised Standard Version, a denarius was the usual
day’s wage for a labourer. This is supported by the parable of the labourers in
the vineyard: “He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day
...” (Matt 20: 2). On the other
hand, The Holy Bible: The New Revised
Standard Version translates Philip’s reply in these words: “Six months
wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little” (Jn 6:7). And in the Life Application Study Bible Philip’s
reply is: “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed
them!”

Andrew took a step further by
acknowledging that “There is a boy here who has five barely loaves and two
fish” but he quickly concluded: “But what are they among so many people?” (Jn 6:9). In both Philip’s and Andrew’s
statements, one sees the thinking of people operating at the level of earthly
wisdom, cf. Jas 3:15. But we are
called to look upwards, cf. Matt 5:48.
In verse 11 of today’s gospel, we see that when Jesus took the loaves and the
fishes instead of throwing them away like the young lady we saw in our
introductory story, He gave thanks and distributed them to the crowd.

We read in the gospel according to
Saint Luke: “He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and
he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much” (Lk 16:10). In the same vein, one who
does not appreciate what he/she has or is given, the whole world at his/her
disposal will not guarantee he/she being appreciative.

My dear ones in the Lord, one can
easily argue that what happened in the gospel was just a miracle. Yes, a
miracle but that God is still God. That miracle can still take place today
through you and me but we must learn first how to acknowledge and appreciate
what we have and what we are: “... the birds of the air ... neither sow nor
reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you
not of more value than they?” (Matt 6:26).
So my dearest in the Lord, before you throw it away, please check well to avoid
throwing away “very special gift/s”.

Bible
Reading: Matt 6:25-34; Lk 16:1-13; 19:11-27.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: Appreciate everything not minding the size or seemingly
insignificant.

Let
us Pray: Lord, you are the source of all that is good and
you apportions to each as you will (cf. 1Cor
12:11). Give us the grace to always appreciate Your gifts in us and in our
brothers and sisters – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

Join our WhatsApp
Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p>

Tel:
+234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p>

Seventeenth Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Seventeenth Sunday of the Year (B) (25 th July, 2021) on the Gospel 2Kgs 4:42-44; Ps 144:10-11.15-18 ...

Sixteenth Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 04:41

Homily (Reflection) for
the Sixteenth Sunday of the Year (B) (18th July, 2021) on the Gospel

Jer
23:1-6;

Ps
22 (R. V. 1);

Eph
2:13-18;

Mk 6:30-34.

Topic: What about your Sheep?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKQa6zuiySMk4RaMXAtX44W4z_rjtV_7aMb1GhMm3n_La2sP75Fj054QBTZuhFrzW7r9sWg6iMlDUXLJvzDz_LGJ9hYAyAOvETI3ps8-X-h0nDhLj7sHwC7EzNOHGfM-L9nAisYz-tQA/s300/18.07.2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKQa6zuiySMk4RaMXAtX44W4z_rjtV_7aMb1GhMm3n_La2sP75Fj054QBTZuhFrzW7r9sWg6iMlDUXLJvzDz_LGJ9hYAyAOvETI3ps8-X-h0nDhLj7sHwC7EzNOHGfM-L9nAisYz-tQA/s0/18.07.2021.png" /></a></div> In last Sunday’s gospel pericope, Jesus sent
His disciples to preach. Today, we see their return and their reports. Having
spent some energy preaching, Jesus deemed it necessary that they should rest.<o:p></o:p>

However, on their arrival at the
designated place for rest, “... he saw a great crowd; and had compassion for
them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach
them many things” (Mk 6:34).

Note that the word sheep means much
more than mere wild or domestic animals, cf. 2Sam 24:17; Ps 95:7; Ps 100:3; Ezek 34:31; Ps 78:52; Jn 21:15, 16, 17.
In the same vein, the word shepherd does not refer to one who looks after some
animals. Everyone in leadership position is a shepherd. And just like Saint
Paul wrote that it is obligatory for him to preach the gospel, and woe to him
if he fails to preach, it is not optional for anybody in any leadership
position to shepherd the flock he/she is entrusted with, cf. 1Cor 9:16.

Sadly, God laments “My people have
been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the
mountains; from mountain to hill they have gone, they have forgotten their fold”
(Jer 50:6). And God has these
against them,

Ah, you shepherds of Israel who
have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the
fat, you clothe yourselves with wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do
not feed the sheep. You have not strengthened the weak, you have not healed the
sick, you have not bound up the injured, you have not brought back the strayed,
you have not sought the lost, but with force and harshness you have ruled them
(Ezek 34:2-4).

These shepherds have left their work
and were only interested in what they would get and not what they would do. And
in our world today, considering what happens both in the religious and in the
secular circles, many who occupy the seats of shepherds are not different. Many
religious leaders today are interested in what they will get from the flock and
not in how they will tend, lead, feed, and shepherd the flock. Many preach
tithes today without knowing that their duty is not just to receive tithes but
very importantly to offer sacrifices for those who bring the tithes, cf. Gen 14:17-20. In the education sector, many
proprietors, manager, teachers, among others are interested only in their take
homes and not in teaching and learning. In politics, the more politicians’
accounts both local and international ones swell the better they see the
offices they occupy. The plights of the governed touch them only during
elections. Even some parents are not interested in shepherding the children God
gave them. They do not care how their children get their certificates, jobs,
husbands, money, and so on. Although the examples can go on ad infinitum but I
would like you to bring it down to your own area because it is very important.

Because of our failures to shepherd
the sheep in our respective areas, God’s sheep are scattered, they wander over
all the mountains and on every high hill and are now food for all the wild
animals. And there is no one searching or seeking for them, cf. Ezek 34:5-6. This is God’s verdict on
every shepherd who fails to do his/her work:

I am against the shepherds; and I
will demand my sheep at their hand, and put a stop to their feeding the sheep;
no longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from
their mouths, so that they may not be food for them (Ezek 34:10).

Before entrusting to Saint Peter the
work of shepherding the whole Church, Christ asked him three times whether he
loves Him more than the rest, cf. Jn 21:15,
16, 17. How much a shepherd is doing and can do for the sheep entrusted to
him/her is in relation to his/her love for both the sheep and the owner of the
sheep. Christ the good shepherd lays down his life for us, His sheep because of
His love for us, cf. Jn 10:11; 15:13;
1Jn 3:16.

The greatest problem we have today
is that “both prophet and priest ply their trade throughout the land, and have
no knowledge” (Jer 14:18). Hence, in
today’s gospel, the great crowd were like sheep without a shepherd because
those who suppose to shepherd them left them for some other things. My dear
friends, What about your Sheep – are they like sheep without a shepherd or like
sheep with a shepherd?

Bible
Reading: Ezek 34:1-31; Jer 14:13-18; Jn 10:1-21; 21:15-17.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: Is the sheep you are entrusted with like sheep with/out a
shepherd?

Let
us Pray: Lord, the good Shepherd, give us the grace to be
the shepherds we are called to be wherever we are – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

Join our WhatsApp
Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p>

Tel:
+234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p>

Sixteenth Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Sixteenth Sunday of the Year (B) (18 th July, 2021) on the Gospel Jer 23:1-6; Ps 22 (R. V. 1); Eph ...

Fifteenth Sunday of the Year (B)

thepulpitonline.com 0 Sunday homilies 04:03

Homily (Reflection) for
the Fifteenth Sunday of the Year (B) (11th July, 2021) on the Gospel

Amos
7:12-15;

Ps
84:9-14 (R. V. 8);

Eph
1:3-14 or 3-10;

Mk 6:7-13.

The Parish Pastoral
Council (PPC) of a parish invited the Harvest and Bazaar Committee to give
report on their preparations for the year’s Harvest and Bazaar. During the
meeting, one of the Parish Pastoral Councillors seemed to be highly against
everything they were presenting. He not only commented but also destructively
criticized every aspect of their report. Every effort to calm him down proved
abortive. At a point, one other member of the PPC decided to fallout with him:
“Is it because you think that the preparation for the Harvest and Bazaar does
not concern you?” He was about to defend himself when the man went on, “If you
gave the Harvest and Bazaar Committee your support they would have functioned
better. Allow us to understand them before commending, correcting, or
condemning their proposals”.

Topic: Collective Responsibility.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMUxZP-CCm5TF-E9TJziFvVsKUTPgaQhP4M18bIultIPneun2jGm-UDOi01za0xOziKuLbjvUrY5KlsJroxSOjYXRFfrkKVSbChAgOWxSBBT2m96-2BFICBJyoSDThd2nbeOoWVhN2pU/s284/11.07.2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMUxZP-CCm5TF-E9TJziFvVsKUTPgaQhP4M18bIultIPneun2jGm-UDOi01za0xOziKuLbjvUrY5KlsJroxSOjYXRFfrkKVSbChAgOWxSBBT2m96-2BFICBJyoSDThd2nbeOoWVhN2pU/s0/11.07.2021.jpg" /></a></div> As today’s gospel is being read, many
minds go to the clergy and probably few others considered as collaborators in
the work of proclaiming the gospel. Many think that these alone are called to
preach the gospel. But Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful,
but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send
labourers into his harvest” (Matt
9:37-38). He also charged the eleven, “Go therefore and make disciples of
all nations ...” (Matt 28:19). How
can all preach the gospel?
<o:p></o:p>

Jesus while sending the twelve, “ordered
them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no
money in their belts; but wear sandals and not to put on two tunics” (Mk 6:8-9). Some of these things they
are forbidden to carry along constitute the basic necessities of life. He went
further, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place” (Mk 6:10) which implies that the mission
is neither a few hours’ nor a day’s assignment. Although scripture experts and
pastors see this order from the point of view of the urgency of the message but
could that be all? Or could it be that the authority over the unclean spirits (v. 7), staff (v.8), a sandal and a tunic (v.9)
are sufficient for their journey?

Preachers are sent to preach to
human beings. And as a result, preaching the gospel requires hearers otherwise
a preacher might be mistaken for a mentally deranged. Hence, Jesus goes
further,

Wherever you enter a house, stay
there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they
refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a
testimony against them (Mk 6: 10-11).

There is need for people to listen
to what is preached because “... faith comes from what is heard, and what is
heard comes through the word of Christ” (Rom
10:17).

Again, a parallel account of Jesus’
sending of the twelve gives a clue to why the twelve were asked not to go with
even the basic necessities, “... labourers deserve their food” (Matt 10:10). In line with this, in his
first letter to the Corinthians Saint Paul wrote,

Do you not know that those who are
employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who
serve at the altar share in what is sacrificed on the altar? In the same way,
the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living
by the gospel (1Cor 9:13-14).

Therefore, it is not necessary for
all to live in the wilderness like John the Baptist in order to proclaim the
gospel, cf. Matt 11: 7-15. Those who
proclaim the gospel need roof over their heads. Hence, Jesus asked them to stay
wherever they are welcomed, cf. Mk 6:10.
Again, they need food in their stomach. Hence Jesus also asks them, “Whenever
you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you” (Lk 10:8). Both the food and the shelter
are to be provided cf. Matt 10:10; Lk
10:7. Some go to mission by going while others go by supporting those in
mission. Whether one carries the megaphone around preaching or buys one for
someone to use it while preaching, or stand at the pulpit or provide the pulpit
for another who will stand there to preach, and so on, all partakes in the
business of proclaiming the gospel. Everybody must not be ordained ministers but
everyone is expected to take his or her part in the ministry. Hence I preferred
to refer to proclaiming the gospel as a shared responsibility.

In Saint Paul’s first letter to
Timothy we read,

But as for you, man of God, shun all
this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.
Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you
were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses
(1Tim 6:11-12).

My dearest friends who share in the
ministry of the Word and sacraments in a special way, Jesus ordered us to take
nothing for this journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in our
belts; but wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. How many still stick to
this order or has it been overtaken by the events of time? Again, although we
ought to eat through the gospel but we must be very careful lest we end up not
preaching the Word but our stomach? And bearing in mind the command, “If anyone
will not work, let him not eat” (2Thess
3:10) how many still deserve food from the gospel? It is an order that we
must preach the gospel, “If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for
boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim
the gospel!” (1Cor 9:16). We must
follow the example of Saint Paul who said, “What is my reward then? Verily
that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge,
that I abuse not my power in the gospel”
(1Cor 9:18).

In summary, all of us, the clergy,
the religious, and the laity must do our parts for the gospel of Christ to
blossom and not engaged in destructive criticisms of one another like the
parish pastoral councillor we saw in the introductory part of this homily.

Bible
Reading: Matt 10:5-15. 40-42; Mk 9:40-41; Rom 10:5-21;
1Cor 9:1-27; 1Tim 6:3-10.<o:p></o:p>

Thought
for today: Do you remember that you have a duty to proclaim the gospel and
how well do you do that?

Let
us Pray: Lord, may the clergy, the religious, and the laity
do their parts in the proclamation of the gospel for your greater glory and for
our own sanctification – Amen.<o:p></o:p>

For more homilies (reflections):<o:p></o:p>

Join our WhatsApp
Group via: +234 810 298 6313<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

To Contact and/or to support this ministry:<o:p></o:p>

Tel:
+234 813 305 0302<o:p></o:p>

Fifteenth Sunday of the Year (B)

Homily (Reflection) for the Fifteenth Sunday of the Year (B) (11 th July, 2021) on the Gospel Amos 7:12-15; Ps 84:9-14 (R. V. 8);...

Twenty-Sixth Sunday of the Year (B)

Twenty-Fifth Sunday of the Year (B)

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