DATE : 3/3/2021
EVENT : Wednesday of the Second week of Lent
COLOUR:Violet
READINGS : Jer. 18:18-20. Resp. Psalm 30:5-6,14-16; Matthew 20:17-28.
THEME: RELIGIOUS BOOTY
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Third day of March, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Religious Booty". Beloved in Christ, during one of my conversations with some of the catechists working with me, I noticed that many of them are discontented with their status as catechists. And many of them are trying hard to force their sons into becoming a Catholic priest. Now, when out of curiosity I sought to know why many of them are ready to do anything and go to any length to ensure that their sons become priests; I was told that it is because of the riches, the seemingly privileges, the admiration, the power, the authority and the preferential treatments which Priests often receive in this part of the country. For them, the sacrifices, vows, loneliness and pains which the priest pass through, is inconsequential. Their only interest is the booty which the Priesthood brings to the individual. Although am not oblivious of that fact that this " booty" notion of the priesthood cuts across the entire nation.
Beloved, in the Gospel reading of today, Matt. 20:17-28, we are told that Salome, the mother of James and John, came to Jesus to asked that her sons, seat one at his right and the other at his left in his kingdom. Now, according to biblical scholars this part of Scriptures falls within the wider context of Matt. 19:16-20:34, exegetically known as, ' the King's Demands', because it deals with the demands of discipleship. However, the pericope which we read from this morning, Matt. 20:17-28, is placed directly under the immediate context of Matt. 30:17-34, titled, ' glorify him'. Child of God, our Catholic theology teaches us that whatever religious activity we wish to embark on, it must have either or both of these aims: the glorification of God and the sanctification/salvation of man. Thus, if our intention in any religious acts is devoid of these two motives, then, that action is blemish.
Dearests and fellow pilgrims, we must never seek religious positions for selfish gains. We must never take up religious sacrifices for public show or because of some form of booty we intend to accrue. We must never make selfish demands or prayers to God. We must never ever use religious intent as a disguise to amass the things of the world. If we seek religious positions for selfish interests and mundane desires then we risk the damnation of our souls. But if we truly take up religious positions and carry out religious acts for the sole purpose of service and workship of God, then we can be sure of having an everlasting booty in heaven.
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, help me to purify my heart of all mundane desires and may no selfish interest becloud my love for you....
The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.
May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ....Amen
HAPPY MID-WEEK BELOVED FRIENDS
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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