DATE : 7/1/2021, Thursday of the Second Week of Christmas year (B)
EVENT : Thursday After Epiphany..St. Raymond Penyafort, P. (Opt. Mem).
COLOUR: White
READINGS : 1John 4;19-5:4; Resp.
Psalm 72:1-2.14&25bc.17; Luke 4:14-22a.
THEME: THAT YOUR NEIGHBOUR IS THE GOD YOU CAN SEE
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Seventh day of January 2021, I wish to reflect with us on the theme: " That Your Neighbour is the God You Can See". Beloved, a story was told of a pious man who earnestly desired to see God. So one day, he heard that God was going to appear and minister to people in the village. He got up early, prepared and headed to the village Church with all the religious devotion he could garner. While on his way, a poor feeble fellow beckoned on him to assist him to Church. But because he did not want to go late and so miss the front roll, he ignored the feeble stranger. Now, after the enormous congregation had waited a long time in Church without any sign of God showing up, news filtered in that God had come to the village in the form of a feeble stranger and had ministered to a man whom most of the people despised. The villagers later gathered that God ministered to him because he had offered to assist God, who came in the form of a poor feeble fellow to get to Church while himself was heading to Church.
Beloved, the above story summarises the two readings of today (the first reading and the Gospel). Many of us claim to know and love God, yet we despise our neighbour who is the image and likeness of God which we can see. This is the central message of the last chapters of the first letter of St. John. As an Apostle of divine love, John knows that divine love of God is useless if it has no direct effect in our relationship with each other. Come to think of it, is it not said that Charity begins at home? So, how can we claim to show love to God who is far and invisible to us, if we have not first shown love to our neighbour who is near and visible to us. This humanitarian dimension of love is what Jesus expressed in the Gospel reading of today, Luke 4:14-22. Namely, to alleviate the hardness of our neighbour, to feed the hungry, to speak words of peace to the troubled mind, to assist in freeing those unlawfully detained in prison, to visit and pray for the sick, to contribute positively in making the lives of other people better, and to show undiluted love to those starved of love and affection. How best can we love God if not by loving those He created.
Beloved, listen to me, as we proceed in this year, consciously make it a point of duty to contribute in making the lives of others better. Be the reason why someone will choose to smile. Be the reason why somebody will believe that good people still exist out there. Be the reason why somebody will choose to continue to live. Be the reason why the faith of somebody will be elevated. Be the reason why I can be encouraged to continue my Catholic Homily Digest. God bless you
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).
#End Sars,
#End Political Oppression
#End Bad Governance
LET US PRAY :Lord Jesus, it is because you love me so much that was why you choose to die for me. Help me to reciprocate that love in the way I treat my neighbours.
The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.
May Almighty God bless you the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit....Amen.
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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