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

26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Amos 6:1.4-7
Psalm 145
1Timothy 6:11-16
Luke 16:19-31

THE PREFERENTIAL OPTION FOR THE POOR

Today’s readings continue the themes of last Sunday, namely wealth, social justice and the preferential option of the poor. They warn us against complacency (first reading) and invite us to be more sensitive and concerned about the miseries and sufferings of others (gospel). For once we fall into the trap of the love of money, we become blind, selfish, and our hearts closed to others and to God. Thus, St Paul admonishes us to strive for righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness, and above all faith, hope and charity (second reading).

In fact, the parable of the rich man and the poor Lazarus illustrates the sharp contrast between the two groups that have characterized our human society throughout the ages. On one pole are the “haves” that is the wealthy, the influential people, those who live in abundance, luxury, complacency; and on the other pole, the “have-nots” including the poor, the marginalized, the vulnerable, the needy, the weak, etc.  As such, “a great chasm” (gap, abyss) is created between the rich and the poor.

Again, in the parable we notice a striking reversal of fates and status after death. Lazarus is “comforted” in the bosom of Abraham and the rich man is tormented in the flames. However, this does not mean that the poor will automatically go to paradise while the rich are automatically destined to eternal damnation. The rich in the parable does not suffer torment in the flames because he was rich, but because he was indifferent to the misery of the poor Lazarus who was lying at his door.

It is noteworthy that the rich man is without a name (anonymous), but the poor is named “Lazarus” which means “God has helped”. This rich man represents therefore each one of us. Often we become blind to the misery of others and deaf to the cry of the needy.  But God does not abandon the poor and the oppressed, but he cares for them and rewards those who trust in him (the responsorial psalm). Therefore, this parable invites each of us to care for the poor and to share the “little” we have with them. Small gestures of attention and concern for one’s neighbour are of great importance.

Let us remembers the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you do for one of these least brothers of mine, you do for me” (Matt. 25:40). May the Lord grant us the grace to recognize him in the poor, the sick, the sufferer and the needy of our communities. Amen