TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME “Forgiveness is above all a personal choice, a decision of the When the world has grown to be indifferent to religion and treat as disdain morality not only has society succeeded to justify evils but also individuals have unashamedly glorified their sinful deeds. In the contemporary advanced society the emphasis is placed on the rights of the individuals without recourse to the morality for the common good.
As a result of this we hitherto live as enemies to one another because there is more of hatred than love, more of individualism than togetherness, more of personal and private life than family and community life. Due to this, there is unnecessary competitions, seeking to be better than the other, greed, envy, slandering, blackmailing, outwitting, etc amongst us. So the end justifies the means. The product of these includes hurt, disappointments, disparaging, etc Hence, the high rate of vengeance, wrath, anger, hate, unforgiving in our families, relationships and communities. Our readings of today aim at addressing this canker which is progressively but subtly rubbing us of our relationships and joy. The author of the first reading encourages us to desist from vengeful attitude and hatred for our neighbor. He exhorts that remember your last days, death and decay and cease from sin. We should rather obey and practice the commandments of the Lord. We should learn to forgive the injustice of others and offer mercy so that our prayers will be answered. The second reading reminds us that God is the fountainhead of our lives: the origin and the destination. So we have only one life to live: that is, to live according to the will of God but not our own will. This is where our free-will ought to serve the will and the purpose of God. We must live to satisfy the commandments of God but not our own parochial principles. This must reflect in our choices, decisions, deeds and planning. We do what the Lord wills but not with our wishes. In the gospel readings Jesus teaches us about the infinitive nature of forgiveness. Meaning we don’t grow tired of forgiving the sins of our neighbor. Forgiveness is not only a responsibility but also indispensable obligation. Forgiveness is an expression of the divine attributes and mission for humanity that serves as a bridge for interpersonal relationships. We must initiates, nourish and use it as many as possible in our families and communities to sustain solidarity and fraternity. Let FORGIVENESS lead... See you in Church! Fr. Emmanuel TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME “Each of us is the result of a thought of God. One of the unfortunate consequences of our modern world is individualism. The concept of thinking and caring about oneself without paying attention to the circumstances of a neighbor has gradually succeeded to erode our communal life in our families, marital relations, friendship and the society at large. Hence, the prevalence of private life and defense of personal rights without recourse to their consequences to their fellow human beings.
Because of this we sometimes live as if we were enemies to one another, selfish inclinations, breaking the chain of our social life, behaving as if we are independent of one another, sometimes we have created barriers of no trespassing. But no man is an island. We need one another for survival and existence. So, whatever we do as individuals at large has consequential effects directly or indirectly on the other in the society. Our actions, inactions, choices, decisions, planning, etc. should be executed with circumspect. Such is the situation our readings seek to address. So, in the first reading God appointed Ezekiel to be a watchman for the house of Israel. He becomes the mouthpiece of God to warn them against their transgressions from His commandments and moral dangers. If he failed, he was going to be responsible for the death of the sinner. As Christians we must also see ourselves as the “EZEKIELS” in our contemporary society. By our sacramental baptism we are prophets to one another. It is an obligation to give the words of God to people, to challenge and correct them from time to time. We are charged with a responsibility to remain faithful to our prophetic mission, confronting the people with their own sins and waywardness. Therefore, we have a spiritual responsibility and moral accountability for anything that happens in our families, relationships, faith communities and the society. Something we dare not fail, because we will be held accountable for the death of the erring fellow. Just be each other’s keeper! That is why the Psalmist echoes, “If you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Therefore, Paul, in the second reading, inspires us that we owe each other nothing but love. Our obedience of the commandments is an expression of our love for our neighbor making us avoid doing evil to them. By this he encourages that love demands that we watch over one another’s souls and it specifies our exercise of watchful care of one another. We need mutual and self-giving love for both physical and spiritual efforts. Christians are obligated to respect that. In conclusion, Jesus Christ teaches about fraternal correction. He draws our attention to the protocols of correction. In His attempt to motivate us to consistently seek to restore and sustain a healthy relationship with our erring fellow, He reminds us about our baptismal responsibilities towards one another whether they sin by omission or commission. He indeed shows us how to deal and finally mend our broken relationship within our families, Christian fellowship, marriages, friendships and communities. Never grow tired of winning your brethren because God has not given up on us yet! To err is human, to forgive is divine. Our forgiveness is an extension and a participation in a divine activity. Let people see the God in you. Forgiveness is a bridge, do not break it! Do not give up on your erring brethren. Just show love. Stay Healthy… Faith over fear… Keep the faith… Let us meet to worship the Lord… Let us live in PEACE but not in PIECES… FR. EMMANUEL TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME "Take care into whose hands you entrust yourself, As society advances and modernity takes over, we are baffled with the challenging situation of secularism, materialism, individualism and independency. Due to these consequences, the concept of discipleship has been either twisted or seen as an archaic endeavor. So, the idea of “Master-Servant” (discipleship) is unfortunately misconstrued as subservient or submissiveness: and wrongly tagged as human rights abuse. For this reason, Christians in our contemporary epoch have lost the connectivity between their identity as Christians and the call to discipleship. Most of them are not deeply rooted in their faith so at the slightest glitch in their life they abandon their faith entirely. Thus, our readings aim at reminding Christians to appreciate the value and the characteristics of true discipleship. Every Christian must understand that he or she is a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In Christian discipleship you develop self-control (deny yourself), perseverance (willingness to suffer), obedience/discernment (readiness to follow) and sacrifice (generosity in surrendering our lives to God). In our first reading the prophet Jeremiah (650 B.C.-580 B.C.) complained bitterly to God. He was regarded by his own people as a traitor because his prophecies were misconstrued as bringing woes to them. But his aim was to keep them faithful to Yahweh (God). He suffered for obedience to his conscience. As a Christian, sometimes you are like Jeremiah. Sometimes due to what you stand for friends and even family members may be mean towards you because you do not promote their interests. You also may feel disappointed in God for allowing certain things to happen to you in your fidelity to Him. Yes! as human as you are, it is a natural sentiment, but this should not deter/discourage you from focusing on your mission and vision. A true disciple never gives up! God has not given up on you yet. Draw strength from the Psalmist, “O God, you are my God whom I seek…you are my help… My soul clings fast to you: Your right hand upholds me.” - Psalm 63:3-4, 8-9 The Apostle Paul in our second reading admonishes us to offer ourselves as sacrifice to God. He encourages us to discern well and aim at doing the will of God. By this he means that our attitudes and way of life must differ from the contemporary culture of indifference toward religion, secularism, materialism and amoral behaviors. However, our non-conformity to the prevailing and trending culture will cost us suffering and hardships. It is part of true discipleship. Finally, Jesus Christ, in our gospel reading, rebuked Peter for trying to prevent Him from dying. So, He explained the Messianic Mission and the Responsive Discipleship to His apostles. As human as we are, there are many times we have failed to fathom the Divine plan and the concept of true discipleship. We have taken actions, choices and decisions that we realized later on were not the will of God. Therefore, as Christians we must accept that we are disciples. We must be ready to deny ourselves (sacrifice/discernment), take up our cross (obedience/fidelity) and follow our Master - Jesus Christ (conformity/commitment). We warmly welcome our Assumption Catholic School teachers, students and staff back to school in person. We love you! STAND FIRM… BE FOCUSED… FAITH OVER FEAR… Stay Healthy… PRAY... Keep the Faith…Enjoy the Sun/Heat…See you in Church… Just be a DISCIPLE… Fr. Emmanuel TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME "You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Every human being has the inclination to be in charge. Acquisition of power and holding of authority have been the desire of man since creation. Nonetheless, history has it that human beings have misappropriated and mismanaged the exercise of power and position. This is so because the secular misconception of the world has twisted the very core of the essence of power. God is the source and fountainhead of every power and authority. Power and authority have Divine origin and purpose. God shares His power and authority with us to express His Divine Will in the midst of His people. So, to be in position is to extend the activity of God in our family, faith community and the society at large. Hence, our readings seek to highlights on the consequences whenever we are unfaithful and selfish with the exercise of power, authority and positions. When we appropriate and manage these in the right direction, we not only affirm but also praise the wisdom and knowledge of God. Thus, we need to develop a personal knowledge with Christ, the Son of God, to be able to have a full grasp of divine will and plan in our exercise of power and authority. Anything short of that can lead to chaos and disappointments. In the first reading, Shebna, the court official (second in command to King Hezekiah), was stripped of his power and authority, and it was given to Eliakim by God. This is because the former had been unfaithful and proud. So, the insignia of office (keys, sash and robe) were taken away from him. The actual reason for this degradation was that he had tried to immortalize himself by attempting to prepare his own tomb in a lofty place in the mountain. As Christians, we should desist from abusing, twisting and misappropriating power, authority and positions we hold and exercise to serve our personal aggrandizements and interests. Power, authority and positions are not evil in themselves, but it depends on how you use them. They can be a blessing or a curse. They can raise you up or can bring you from grace to grass. Simply use them to express the will of God. The second reading echoes Paul’s marvel at the Divine goodness, Wisdom and Knowledge. He praises the wisdom of God and the inscrutable ways of bringing salvation to all people, including you and I. He was profoundly impressed by how God used him to bring the Gentiles to conversion despite the conservative and the exclusivist attitude of the Jews. As Christians, let us use very opportunity entrusted to us to translate the will and plan of God. We are the bridges that connect people to God and vice-versa. Always appreciate and praise the activities of God in your life and acknowledge the presence of God in your achievements. Like David in the psalms, let us be thankful to God for every opportunity given us. Lastly, Jesus Christ in the gospel reading tested the opinion of His Apostles about His identity. When Simon Peter answered rightly Jesus proclaimed him as the foundation upon which He would build His church. Handing over the keys of authority of leadership of the church to Peter implies appointing him as His vicar to continue His mission and vision in the world. Therefore, you must understand that to exercise power and authority demands knowledge of God and His plans. Also, to accept that you act in the place of God and share with Him in the exercise of power, authority and position. Stay Healthy… PRAY… KEEP THE FAITH… FAITH OVER FEAR… Let us meet in Church… Exercise POWER with God… Fr. Emmanuel TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME “He who created us will not save us without our consent.” Sometimes an observation of the behaviors and attitudes of some human beings in our modern world towards their fellow human beings can make one wonder if they were in the position of God what will they do. Some of us even want to think for Him or to direct Him as to what to do. That is why Isaiah 55:8 makes it clearly to man, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways...” Just be human and let God be God. Unfortunately, salvation history has made it known that the exclusivist Jews have always thought that salvation was their rightful prerogative. No non-Jew will be saved. Nonetheless, our first reading has rather manifested not only the expansiveness but also the inclusiveness of the membership of non- Jews into the people of God. In the broader context of this prophecy the message was to commiserate and reassure the returnees, which included non-Israelites, of the Babylonian exile that they were accepted into their “True religion.” Yahweh (God) would receive them because everyone had a part to play in the Divine plan in as much as they were ready and willing. As Christians we are motivated to open ourselves to God, to obey His commandments and be ready to have a covenantal relationship with Him. It does not matter our background, story line or our sinful situation but our acceptance of Him as our creator and God, and readiness to convert to do His will. So, the love of God, the mercy of God and the salvation of God never discriminate against race, culture, ethnicity, politics, etc. The universality of the Divine plan and purpose welcomes all. Hence, the reiteration of the Psalmist, “So may your ways be known upon the earth; among all nations, your salvation… O God, let all nations praise you!” (Psalm 67:3-4) Apostle Paul, in our second reading, expresses his impressions about the obstinacy of the Jews to accept Jesus which has rather positively resulted into the Divine invitation of all people into the Covenant. Their rejection has brought reconciliation of the world. This has led the pagans and the gentiles to be reconciled to God including you and I. Thus, we have the task of praying for all those who still need to convert in our families, societies and the world at large. To conclude, our gospel reading gives us a model of the expression of faith and trust in Jesus Christ by a gentile woman (a pagan/non-Jew). Her persistence and unrelenting faith rewarded her the answer to her request from Jesus. She did not allow religion, limitation, perception, inadequacy, position, qualification, barriers, bashfulness or even the testing sarcasm of Jesus to deter her from achieving her goal of seeking deliverance (liberation) for her demonic-possessed-daughter. Such should be the deportment of every Christ in our faith journey and prayer life. Do not allow anything to be an obstacle to your salvation. Your salvation is in your own hands! Stay Healthy… PRAY… Keep the Faith… Fall is just around the corner, are you ready? Let us meet in Church…. Let the PLAN OF GOD lead… Fr. Emmanuel |
Fr. EmmanuelFr. Emmanuel hails from Ghana and is passionate about the Gospel and bringing the love of Christ to all people. He speaks several languages, enjoys soccer and cooking, and loves St. Francis of Assisi. Archives
April 2021
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