SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

Revelation 7:2-4.9-14

1 John 3:1-3

Matthew 5:1-12

CALLED TO BE SAINTS

We celebrate today the solemnity of All Saints. We often apply the title of Sainthood to those Catholics who have distinguished themselves with a life of faith, a heroic witness to Christ in martyrdom or a life of unparallel Christian virtues, and have been canonized or beatified by the Church. But “All Saints” refers to that great multitude of men and women, children and old, Christians and non-Christians alike, whose lives on earth were pleasing to God, and now are with God in paradise. 

In the first reading, St John had a vision of one hundred and forty-four thousands people from the twelve tribes of Israel, and also another “great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue”. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches before the throne of God and the Lamb. They had survived the time of great distress and washed their robes, making them white in the blood of the Lamb. 

They were not supermen on earth, but ordinary men and women like us. They remained faithful to the end in spite of everything. They exhibited the virtues proclaimed by our Lord Jesus Christ in the Beatitudes, which may be rightly said to be “the Charter for Sainthood.” As such, anyone who lives in accordance with the Beatitude will inherit the Kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:1-12). For God has loved us and made us his children. But what we shall be has not yet been revealed. Thus, what we hope and long for is to be like him when we see him as he really is (1John 3:1-3).

It can be observed therefore that Sainthood is not reserved to a selected few. Each and every one of us is called to be a Saint, to be the best-version of himself or herself. We are all called to perfection. But let us remember that “perfection does not consist in doing extraordinary things, but in doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way”. In short, becoming a saint consists in doing good daily and doing it well. Again, we can do nothing without God’s grace. And so, let us ask him to grant us his grace so that we may follow the footsteps of the Saints and contemplate his glory one day in heaven. Amen 

Happy Feast to you all !!!

30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Sirach 35:12-14.16-18

Psalm 34

2 Timothy 4:6-8.16-18

Luke 18:9-14

HUMILITY PAYS

Last week, we were encouraged to persevere in prayer. Today’s readings identify humility as the indispensable disposition of the heart for an efficacious and fruitful prayer life. To pray is first of all to put oneself in the presence of God. It is recognizing our smallness and unworthiness before him, and acknowledging our need of his mercy and grace. 

In the gospel passage, Jesus addresses the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to those who are convinced to be righteous and despise others. Both men went up to the temple to pray. As the Pharisee looks around (a sign of distraction in prayer) and sees the tax collector, his prayer turned into a self-righteous act of judgment, comparing himself with others, and boasting about his “piety” before God. But the tax collector recognized his sinfulness and his need of God's mercy. He would not even raise his eyes to heaven. According to Jesus, the tax collector went back home justified whilst the Pharisee was not. 

The prayer of the tax collector “reached the heavens” and “pierced the cloud”, to use the language of the first reading.  He won God's favour, for God hears the cry of the one who calls him with humble heart. He is a God of justice who is close to the contrite and humbled heart. As such, let us ask ourselves: are we humble before God while praying? Are we often arrogant, judging and condemning others while praying? Do our prayers, especially during Mass, turn into “gossip” time like that of the Pharisee? Do we give praise and thanks to God for who we are and what we have been able to do, or do we praise ourselves as if we do everything by our own might? Do we recognize our need of God and his mercy? Let us remember that we all need God and his mercy, for we are nothing without him. 

Finally, like St Paul, let us run the race set before us, and fight the good fight. Let the difficulties and anxieties of this present life not make us lose our faith and hope. And in everything, let us be humble and God will exalt us. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen

TWENTY- NINETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Exodus 17:8-13

Ps 121

2 Timothy 3:14—3:2

Luke 18:1-8

KEEP ON PRAYING!!!

A Christian life is a journey of faith. Sometimes, this journey may be tough and tiresome. We may feel overwhelmed by problems and incapable of keeping on in the battle. As such, the Word of God and prayer are presented in today’s reading as the two wings with which we can move high and become overcomers. 

In the second reading, Paul reminds us of the importance of the Sacred Scriptures in this journey of faith. He makes three important assertions: (1) All Sacred Scripture is inspired by God; (2) Sacred Scripture is an indispensable guiding principle for a good, holy and fruitful Christian life; (3) the Word of God must be preached in season and out of season to convince, reprimand and encourage the community. St Paul insists in these things because he knows that the Word of God is an inexhaustible source of strength, a kind of pharmacy in the life of the Christian.

In the gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples the parable of the pestering widow and the unjust judge so as to encourage them to pray always without losing heart. For unlike the unjust judge, God will not refuse to hear the cries of his chosen ones who call him day and night. However, it is noteworthy that we cannot persevere in prayer if we lack faith, for to believe is to refuse to give up, to refuse to let down the hands. And this is demonstrated in the battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites narrated in the first reading.

In this perspective, three lessons may be drawn from this passage. (1) In our daily struggles, we are never alone. God is with us and is the one who fights for us. With him, victory is assured. (2) We must also participate in the redeeming action of God in our life. Like Joshua and the people, we must participate in the battle, we must fight. Like Moses and his team on the hill, we must support one another in various battles. (3) We must never give up even when the battle lasts until sunset, even if the enemy seems to prevail. The motto of the Hearts of Oak, a football team in Ghana, says “never say die until the bones are rotten.” Thus, keep fighting and praying! Don’t give up! For our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. Amen

28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

2 Kings 5:14-17
Psalm 97 (98)
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Luke 17:11-19

THANKFULNESS, AN ACT OF FAITH

An attitude of gratitude for everything is one of the secrets of a happy life. Unfortunately, contemporary society tends to lose such beautiful virtue. Thus, today’s readings invite us to rediscover the importance to show gratitude and thankfulness to God and to others for even the little things. The first reading presents how Naaman, a high ranked official of the Syrian army, showed gratitude when he got healed from his leprosy, thank to the prophet Elisha.  The responsorial psalm is a song of praise to God for his wonders and saving power revealed to the nations.

In the Second Reading, St Paul made mention of the hardships he had to bear for the sake of the Good News he was entrusted with. The news about Jesus is “Good” precisely because it brings liberation, salvation, joy and peace to us. Thus, we should be joyful and thankful to God for this great mystery manifested to us in Jesus Christ.  The gospel reading narrates the curing of ten lepers by Jesus on his way to Jerusalem. However, only one person, a Samaritan, came back to thank him and glorify God when he discovered that he had been made well.

Consequently, two lessons may be drawn from today’s readings. First, we are exhorted to give thank to God always, everywhere and for everything, even in the midst of hardships and sufferings. For his faithfulness and goodness towards us are without end. And the privileged way to do so is the Eucharist, from the Greek work eukaristia (thanksgiving). It is therefore a contradiction to have a gloomy face during Mass.  Second, let us learn to show gratitude and appreciation towards one another, even in little matters.

To say “Thank you” may appear too simple and not always necessary but it is the sign of noble soul; and ingratitude may be said to be a dangerous leprosy for a Christian soul. Let us remember “In all circumstances, says Paul, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Jesus Christ” (1Thes. 5:18).  May the Lord bless and teach us how to be grateful every moment of our lives. Amen