DATE : 13/3/2021
EVENT : Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
COLOUR:Violet
READINGS : Hosea 5:15-6:6; Resp. Psalm 50:3-4,18-21; Luke 18:9-14.
THEME: PRIORITIZE GOD
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Thirteenth day of March, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Prioritize God". Beloved in Christ, it is a tested and proven truth that good fortunes and riches, abundant blessings and sound health, often make people to forget the existence of God or even to relegate Him to the background. In the case that these people call on God, they only do so in order to get Him to protect them from their perceived enemies. Pride and riches are often close relatives, and one is hardly seen without the other. That is why certain responsibilities or job is left for the poor even in the Church. In all my years as a Catholic, I can count the number of rich persons who are Ushers/wardens, I can count the number of wealthy persons in legion of Mary, in lay readers, in temple cleaners, and other pious societies. However, I have lost count of the number of wealthy people in parish pastoral Councils, in JDPC, in the Knighthood and in other profiled groups. The question we should ask ourselves is this, how do I perceive God? How do I Prioritize God? What is my notion of religious worship? What is the best time to draw close to God, in affliction or in affluence?
In the various readings of today, beginning with the first reading, Hosea 5:15-6:6, God challenged the people for treating Him only as an emergency Being. Running to Him only when they are in misery or are afflicted. They remember to pray and cry to Him only when troubles have besieged them such that they have no other place or option to fall back to. They are never faithful to Him. And like an adulterous wife, they pledge faithfulness to Him in good times, and for a short while, before going back to have a romance with sin, once their prayers have been answered. Furthermore, like the Pharisee in today's Gospel who bursted of his religious accomplishments, most of us only come to Church to show up our beautiful dress. To compete with friends, to display our cars, our wealth and our fine bodies. Many of us parade our offerings, making large donations in Church, while we will never give as much as N500 to the poor beggar in private. We boast of belonging to various committees, we pride ourselves as being the pillars of our parishes, of being the best choir master, the best president, the best secretary, the best this, and the best that. I tell you Solemnly, you are no different from the Pharisee in today's Gospel.
Child of God, listen up, religion is a private business. Spirituality is personal. Charity is meant to be done in hiding. Prayers is meant to be a heart-heart communion with God. Tithing is supposed to be done in secret. And your religious responsibility is no body's concern. God see all your actions, both the ones done publicly and those done secretly. So, when you pray, there is no need practicing spiritual pride by boasting before God about your deeds. He knows them already. Instead, focus on atoning for your sins and seeking ways to better your life. In all, let God and not yourself, be the priority of your prayers and every other religious deed that you may carry out.
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 Prioritize you above all else. Help me to count all my religious deeds as nothing compared to your love for 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
HAPPY WEEKEND BELOVED FRIENDS
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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