DATE : 23/3/2021
EVENT : Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
COLOUR: Violet
READINGS : Numbers 21:4-9; Resp. Psalm 101:2-3,16-21; John 8:21-30.
THEME: PREPARE FOR DISCOURAGEMENTS
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Twenty Third day of March, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Prepare For Discouragement". Beloved, have you noticed how couples, especially the brides are always extremely happy on their wedding days? They seem to be on top of the world, and the world seems to revolve around them at that particular day. They are very optimistic of a happy married life in a peaceful home. But, soon afterwards, when the aura and glamour of the wedding is over, the reality of marriage sets in. And for some, they soon get discouraged because they had expected it to be all rosy. This same feeling of initial excitement before the discouraging reality of life sets in is also true for the newly graduated students in Nigeria. This is also true for the new converts to Christianity, those who just received any of the seven sacraments, and those who newly gave their life to Christ. For such people, optimism is in top gear, the kingdom of God is imminent. They are full of zeal, they are willing to convert the entire universe to Christ, they have a disdain for wrongdoings, they are so confident that God is solidly behind them, that God will always rush to them whenever they call on him. They expect the Devil to be afraid of them. They expect that success and the favours of God should accompany them in all their undertakings. They have a feeling that they are now immuned to temptations. In fact, they often have a fanciful idea of God and religion, until the reality of the Christian life hits them.
Beloved, in the first reading of today, Num. 21:4-9, we are told that fiery serpents scourged the people of Israel because they murmured against God. But, I want us to understand why they murmured against God in the first place. Now, you will recall that in several passages of Scripture (Exo. 6:6-8; 19:4-6; 23:25-31; Num. 14:27-32), God had made them a promise, that they are his people, that He will always be with them, and that they shall suffer no want. Now, while in the wilderness, they became hungry and thirsty, they became weary, exhausted and tired. They began to die one after the other; Miriam died, Aaron died and other prominent personalities among them. Even Moses had lost face with God. So, the people became disillusioned, discouraged, and hence, they began to murmur: Is this what it means to serve God? Is God really in control? Why is God allowing calamity to befall them? Why is God not able to provide food and water again for them? And so many other grumblings like these. Thus, due to these grumblings, their faith and confidence in God began to decline.
Child of God the situation of the Israelites is not different from what some of us have experienced or still experiencing in our faith journey today. For many Christians, they are still religious because they don't want people to taunt them. But in reality their Christian zeal and motivation have dropped. What they expected from God is different from the reality they face daily. They are easily swayed by temptations. They pray and it appears like God is not moved by their pleas. And so, they murmur silently. Listen to me, the Christian like is not an easy bread and butter life. It is a wilderness journey, where you have to brave the odds and create a path in the thicket bush, wrestle with principalities and powers. Put up with afflictions, trials and temptations. It is a life that makes you to swim against the waves of the world. And you must be ready to accept 'No', as an answer sometimes from God. So, to be a true Christian, you must prepare and be ready to receive discouragements and faith shattering experiences. However, let your consolation be in Christ Jesus, who conquered the world and is reserving a place for you in paradise. May God help us not to ever murmur against Him.
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, help me by your grace to build my faith on you the solid foundation, so that nothing can separate me from you.
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. ⛪
No comments:
Post a Comment