DATE : 30/1/2021, Saturday of the Third Week of Ordinary Time (B)
EVENT : Mass of the Weekday or B.VM
COLOUR:Green/White
READINGS : Heb. 11:1-2.8-19; Resp. Psalm Luke 1:69-70.71-72.73-75; Mark 4:35-41.
THEME: WITHOUT FAITH, NO MIRACLE CAN BE EFFECTED
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Thirtieth day of January, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Without Faith, No Miracle Can Be Effected". Beloved in Christ, my work in the rural part of Northern Nigeria, and the personal contacts I make with the locals here, have made me to realise more convincingly, the power of faith. Often times, when most of us who are privileged to have certain basic provisions of life speak and think of faith, we do so in the abstract. Not knowing in concrete terms what it implies. You will know the degree of your faith, if the only thing you have to rely on for sustenance is on the grace of God to provide for your daily need, to keep you healthy, and to grant you healing because there is no money for hospital bills. When you rely solely on God to keep you safe from herdsmen, bandits and marauding killers because there is not a single security personnel in sight. Thus, according to the definition and mind of the Church, 'faith is the assurance of things hoped for, a deep conviction of the availability of things not yet seen' (CCC Art. 146). Faith is a gift from God, which enables us to trustfully believe without doubting that whatever has been proclaimed by God or uttered by his anointed ones, will surely come to pass. This is why the patriarch, Abraham, continues to shine brightly as a beacon of faith. While it may sound foolish and risky to the modern mind, in faith, Abraham obeyed and started off to a distance land, where he was told that he will receive the reward of a bountiful inheritance. By faith, Abraham believed that his descendants will supersede the grains of sand on the seashore, even when at 100 years, he hadn't sired a single child. In faith, Abraham was ready to be a homicider, provided God has uttered it.
Beloved, the letter to the Hebrew, from whence our first reading today emerge, speaks of faith in a very profound way. Here, faith is seen as perfect spiritual obedience. A childlike and free submission of the 'will' to the word that has been heard, because it's truth veracity is anchored on God, who himself is truth and doesn't deceive (Cf. Number 23:19). Faith is like a master key, that unlocks all spiritual doors, and a 'pass' that enable us to access God's good treasure. So, no matter how full of rich treasures a fortified house is, if you do not have the 'pass' or right key to open its door, you may only be seeing and savouring the goodness therein, but you cannot enjoy its contents. Beloved, have you observed that although Jesus is God with all the powers therein, he never performed a single miracle without seeking the faith level of the recipient. Hence, faith is indispensable if you desire miracle and blessings.
Beloved in Christ, do not be deceived by any body claiming to be a miracle worker. Do not hinge your hope for miracle on another mortal man. Do not think that your salvation and deliverance will come from without. No, your help shall only come from God. And for your help to come from God, you must bank your faith 100% on him. You must trust in his promises, and you must dispel every form of fear or doubt. I pray that as this month draws to an end, God will show himself mighty in your life according to the level of your faith.
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8)
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, I trust in you, help my faith in you never to dwindle even when you seem to be silent....
The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.
May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit......Amen
HAPPY WEEKEND BELOVED FRIENDS
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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