DATE : 4/2/2021, Thursday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time (B)
EVENT : Mass of the Weekday
COLOUR:Green
READINGS : Heb. 12:18-19,21-24; Resp. Psalm 47:2-4,9-11; Mark 6:7-13.
THEME: THERE IS NO SACRED COW INSIDE THE CHURCH
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Fourth day of February, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " There Is No Sacred Cow Inside The Church". Beloved, it is in imitation of the apostolic sending on mission, contained in the Gospel reading of today, Mark 6:7-13, that the Church often sends seminarians on summer apostolic work. Thus, during one of these apostolic works of mine as a seminarian, I had an experience that has remained with me. The Christian child of a highly respected pagan king died. And a funeral Mass was organised for his burial. As people were coming in for the Mass, the deceased father arrived with his entourage and several other important dignitaries. His arrival was announced by his chief servant. The king and some of his VIP's walked up to the altar and enquired where the sacred throne of his royal majesty and the exquisite seats of his rich guests were. But with a calm voice and in a humble manner, the parish priest directed them to the same old and dilapidated wooden pew where every other person sat. Standing there, I imagined what the thoughts of the king were, and how he had expected to be given an elevated seats different from those of the other congregation.
Beloved in Christ, God is a respecter of no man. He is not impressed by your portfolio. He is not moved by your vain glories and outward shows. He does not notice your worldly position, riches, beauty, class, and social status. He does not treat or relate to us according to our pedigree, political appointment, amount of money in your bank account, title or academic qualifications. Once we step in to his presence, we are stripped of all our earthly gabbage. The only thing that will define us then, is the level of our spiritual relationship with him. Thus, as children ransomed with the blood of Jesus, we are all the same. We are all first borns, we all are equal heirs to God, we are all equal citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem. Hence, the Church is the temporal and visible Jerusalem of God's people on earth. As such, apart from the structural hierarchy, the Church does not treat any body different from the other. She does not consider any body more suitable for the sacraments, she does not show partiality in bringing the Gospel to all people. She does not restrict her ministers, but sends them out to preach the good news in every corner of the earth.
So, when next you enter the Church beloved friends, do not think yourself more special than your neighbour. Do not feel more of a child of God than your co-worshiper. When next you see a fellow believer, relate to him or her as an equal, a twin and coheir to God's treasure. When next you get an opportunity to preach the gospel, do not pick and choose who deserve to receive Christ or not. To my fellow ministers, as you carry on with your divine task, do not treat any person/group better than the other. Do not pay more attention to a group/person than the other. May God bless us all.
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8)
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, you are the universal king and lord of all. Help me to shun all feelings of spiritual pride or superiority in me....
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
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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