Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary time Year A - November 1, 2020 - All Saints

DATE :1/11/2020 EVENT : 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), All Saints. COLOUR: WHITE READINGS : Rev. 7:2-4,9-14; Responsorial Psalm 23:1-6; 1John 3:1-3; Gospel Accl. Matt. 11:28; Matthew 5:1-12. THEME: TRY YOUR BEST TO BE NUMBERED WITH THE SAINTS INTRODUCTION : Greetings beloved people of God and fellow pilgrims. I welcome you to the 31st Sunday in the Ordinary time of the Church. (An Ordinary time is the season when the Church has no particular celebration). On this Sunday beloved friends, I wish to reflect with us on the theme, Try your Best to be Numbered with the Saints". Beloved, have you ever thought about where you will spend eternity? Are you frightened with the idea of being thrown into the unquenchable lake of fire burning with sulphur. Do you think that by your daily conducts, you merit to be numbered with the saints? Beloved, coincidentally, today, being Sunday, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of all Saints. The Solemnity of all Saints was instituted to honour all the saints, known and unknown. The Catholic Church believes that apart from the popular saints that we know about, there are countless holy men and women, who are also enjoying the beatific vision because they washed their robes clean during their life time. These holy men and women may have lived and died thousands of years ago, even before the coming of Christ. They may also have been people of various other religions, even our African ancestors, who did not know Jesus, but lived virtuous lifestyle according to the knowledge of holiness and virtue available to them at the time. They may also have been Christians, who lived and died at peace with God, but whose names and biography are not known to the pilgrim Church on Earth. Beloved, the essence of our lives here on earth is ultimately to return back to God when eventually our earthly life expires. However, due to our carelessness and stubbornness, some of us may lose these birth right which God has given to us as His beloved children. In the first reading of today, the author of Revelation, St. John, narrated to us a vision he had about those saved on the last day. It is often frightening to hear him say that of the billions of people on earth, only 144,000 (hundred and forty-four thousand), were saved. But we know that this cannot be the only number to be saved due to God's generous mercy. Hence, after counting the first 144,000, St. John also narrated that he also saw another huge number of people, impossible to count. Of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; that were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands. They shouted aloud, ‘Victory to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. Beloved, here lies the many numberless saints which we celebrate today. The big question for us today is, will my name be among this great number of saint when my days are ended. So, search yourself sincerely dear friends, and judge yourself because Heaven is real and Hell Fire is real. The place to go depends completely on the choices we make daily. Thus, like Joshua said to the Israelite in Joshua 24:15, I say to you now, decide today if you want your name to be listed among the saints in Heaven or want to be found wanting. The choice is your. God bless you OH that today you would listen to his voice harden not your heart (Ps.95:7-8). LET US PRAY: Lord Jesus, I repent of my Sins, help me by your grace to live a life that will assure me a space in your heavenly kingdom..Amen HAPPY SUNDAY TO YOU. @Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara MSP.⛪