31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Wisdom 11:22—12:2

Psalm 144 (145)

2 Thessalonians 1:11—2:2

Luke 19:1-10

COME DOWN FROM YOUR TREE

Today’s readings reveal the immensity of God's love for his creatures that we are. In effect, the Book of Wisdom makes three important affirmations: (i) the universe, including humanity, is only a tiny drop of dew before the greatness of God. (ii) All that exists was willed by God who created everything out of love. Nothing exists by chance or by mistake. (iii) God is tender and patient towards the sinner so that he may repent and live. 

It is in this context of God's merciful and saving love for each of his creatures that we must understand Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus in the Gospel. All of the descriptions that the evangelist Luke gives of Zacchaeus have one point: to make us understand that Zacchaeus was a public sinner, a detestable creep. However, it was this sinner that attracted the merciful gaze of Jesus.

Zacchaeus was eager to see Jesus, but it was Jesus who saw him. Having recognized Jesus as the Lord, he accepts with joy the self-invitation of Jesus to dwell in his house. With this encounter, a radical change took place in the life of Zacchaeus, a total metanoia, manifested in concrete gestures and decisions. This is what we call conversion. In this episode, Jesus reveals his identity and his mission: He is the Son of Man who has come to seek and to save what was lost. 

Therefore, these readings reveal to us that God loves each one of us. Despite our unfaithfulness and waywardness, despite the condemnatory judgment of others on us, we remain the "descendants of Abraham", sons and daughters of God’s promises. Thus, he loves us and knows us intimately. He takes us and lifts us up when we falls. He wants us to abandon our wicked ways and live. May we come down from our trees of pride, resentment and guilt to meet the Lord. May we open our hearts to receive the salvation that Jesus offers us today, especially in the Eucharist. As in the prayer of St Paul, may the Lord make us worthy of his calling so that his Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be glorified in us.

 Amen.

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 a 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; and beating his breast, he said: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner”. According to Jesus, the tax collector went back home justified, for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. 

To use the language of the first reading, the prayer of the tax collector “reached the heavens” and “pierced the cloud”.  He won God's favour, for God hears the cry of the one who calls him with humble heart. He is a just judge. As such, let us ask ourselves: Are we humble before God 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 our prayers usually turn into self-justification and self-exaltation as if we deserve something before God? Do we recognize our need of God’ mercy? Do we despise others because we think we are better ?

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

29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Exodus 17:8-13

Psalm 121

2 Timothy 3:14—3:2

Luke 18:1-8

KEEP ON PRAYING !!!

A Christian life is a journey of faith with the Lord. 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 effect, 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 guide 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 Christian life.

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. First, 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.

 Second, we must also participate in the redeeming action of God. 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 ways. 

Third, we must never give up even when the battle lasts the whole day, or when the enemy seems to prevail. As the motto of Accra Hearts of Oak says “never say die until the bones are rotten”, keep fighting and praying! Don’t give up! For our help is from the Lord, he who loves and care for us. Amen

28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

II King 5:14-17

Psalm 97 (98)

2 Timothy 2:8-13

Luke 17:11-19

BE GRATEFUL

Showing appreciation and gratitude even for little things is a mark of a noble soul, while ingratitude may be said to be a dangerous leprosy for a Christian soul. Indeed, to say “Thank you” may appear sometimes too simple and unnecessary, but it is common sense to be grateful even for the little things. Pope Benedict XVI once wrote: “Whoever loses the sense of gratitude has his heart blocked”. As such, today’s readings converge in gratitude. Naaman of Syria and the Samaritan in the Gospel give thanks to Elisha and Jesus respectively, and the Apostle Paul reminds us of the gratitude due to God for the benefits of the redemption we have received in Jesus Christ.

As it can be observed, the acts of gratitude of Naaman and of the Samaritan are not just gestures of politeness, but an expression of a true faith. Consequently, three lessons may be drawn from today’s readings.

First, we are to give thanks to God always, everywhere and for everything. For his faithfulness and goodness towards us is without end; and the privileged way to do so is the Eucharist, from the Greek work "eukaristia" (thanksgiving). Second, let us learn to show gratitude and appreciation towards one another, even in little matters. Lastly, we should not be upset or disappointed when we do not receive appreciation or gratitude from others for a good done. Jesus’ comment on the return of the Samaritan man shows that he was not concerned about receiving honour and appreciation for what he had done for the ten lepers, but rather the failure of the other nine lepers who did not return to give glory to God.

Like the other nine lepers who failed to come back and show appreciation, we often fail to be grateful to God for the good things he has given us. But let us always remember Saint Paul’s exhortation: “In all circumstances, 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

27TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4

Psalm 95

2 Timothy 1:6-8.13-14

Luke 17:5-10

“INCREASE OUR FAITH, LORD”

The experience of suffering and evil in our lives and in the world is a great test to our faith in God. Sometimes, God seems to be silent and far from us. We feel that he does not care. In such situations, we become helpless and hopeless, and often get angry with God because he does not act as we would expect. As such, the experience of the prophet Habakkuk in the first reading is not alien to us. He questioned God for his silence in the face of violence, destruction, injustices, insecurity, misery and strife in Israel. Why does he not intervene to liberate his people from Babylonian oppression? But God assured him that his promise would be fulfilled and would not disappoint. Even if it seems to delay, “wait, for come it will, without fail” (Hab. 2:3). 

Indeed, waiting for the fulfilment of God’s promise requires faith, which is understood here as fidelity and obedience. God says: “the just one, because of his faithfulness, shall live”. It is of no wonder therefore that in the gospel Jesus’ disciples put this request to him: “Increase our faith.” Jesus’ answer is that with little faith we can do what seems to be impossible. Again, as the parable of the obedient and dutiful servant implies, faith here means doing the will of the master, that is doing God’s will. Sometimes this may require making painful sacrifices especially when God’s will seems not to correspond to our own agenda or plans.

In the second reading, St Paul encourages Timothy to remain faithful and hold firm despite the hardships his ministry entails. It is noteworthy that St Paul wrote this letter when he was in prison in Rome; hence his example is worth emulating. Though he was in prison awaiting his execution, Paul continues to minister and encourage others in the faith. Despites the challenges and afflictions related to the proclamation of the Gospel, he does not lose faith and hope. Thus, let us remember that we serve a living and faithful God. He will not abandon or disappoint those who put their trust in him and remain faithful to the end. He has promised and he will never fail. May he increase our faith so as to stand firm and move on despite everything. Amen