Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty Fourth Sunday of the Year, C – September 15, 2019.

Readings: Ex. 32:7-11, 13-14; 

Responsorial Psalm Ps 51:3-4, 12-13,17&19(R.cf.Luke15:18); 

1 Tim 1-12-17; Gospel Lk 15:1-32.

Theme: Imitating the Prodigal Father

Introduction

Friends in Christ, our liturgy calls us to shun working only for reward but to reflect on God’s mercy and forgiveness. Titled “Imitating the Prodigal Father,”thishomily urges us to reflecton God’s love for us which is both radical and prodigal. In a society where sin has become a cancer, we are reminded that the handy cure is God’s unfathomable mercy. We shall consider a summary of the readings so as to get the desired pastoral lessons. 

Background and Summary of the Readings

In the first reading (Ex. 32:7-11, 13-14), we are told when Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain, the sons and daughters of Israel quickly made a calf of molten metal and started worshipping it. God was enraged and wanted to destroy them but Moses pleaded on their behalf. In the end, God relented from the disaster he had threatened. 

In the second reading (1 Tim 1-12-17), Saint Paul disclosed to Timothy that although he persecuted the Church terribly, God was merciful to him by reconsidering him. He stressed that Christ came into the world to save sinners. He further revealed that if mercy had been shown him, it was because Christ wanted to make him the greatest evidence of God’s inexhaustible patience for others who would come to trust in him for eternal life.  

The gospelaccount (Lk 15:1-32) recounts that after Jesus focused his gaze on the Pharisees who criticized him for eating with sinners, he gave them three parables - The Lost Sheep,the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son to illustrate God’s unfathomable love for his children – these parables demonstrate how God goes after the one who is lost in order to rescue him or her.

Pastoral Lessons

1. Beware of Modern Molten Metals:Our first reading cautions us to shun modern molten metals like sex, materialism, drugs, alcohol and raw-power which many people are worshipping in our age.

2. Our God is a God of Second Chance:The story of St. Paulreveals how God always gives us second chance in order to reform and make it to the Premier League of candidates for heaven.

3. Put God Before Possessions: We are urged to beware of excessive love for material possessions becauseby demanding his share of property, the Prodigal Son put possessions first before God and family which landed him in big trouble.

4. Eschew Self-praise and Self-righteousness:We are called to watch against expressing self-praise and self-righteousness as well as playing the victim or displaying excessive anger like the eldest son whose refusal to go in almost disrupted the party for his younger brother’s welcome.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

 Twenty-third Sunday of the Year, C – September 8, 2019.

Readings: Wisdom 9:13-18B; Responsorial Psalm Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14-17; 

Philemon 9b-10, 12-17; Gospel Lk 14:25-33.

Theme: Detachment: An Indispensable Virtue for the Kingdom!

Introduction

Friends in Christ, we are living in a society where there is an apparent rat race of survival of the fittest and the elimination of the unfit. We are living in a profit-oriented world which places high premium on material possessions. On a daily basis, economists and business moguls are unleashing upon us a society which maximises profit and minimises loss. Little wonder, market forces determine prices of goods and services. We are caught up in the quagmire of a society which “objectifies” and “commodifies” human beings. 

Sadly, today, the commercialisation of relationships is based on utility friendship. This has further worsened the situation. This mentality has also affected discipleship and discipling. In this refection titled, “Detachment: An Indispensable Virtue for the Kingdom,” we are urged to fix our gaze on divine realities by being detached from wealth, human affiliations and the world so as to be attached to Christ. We shall consider a summary of the readings in order to derive the desired lessons. 

Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Wisdom 9:13-18B) emphasis that we cannot comprehend the mind of God and what is in the heavens. It further discloses how the saints used wisdom to look heavenward. It also cautions against earthly concerns stressing that we should seek God’s counsel.

The second reading (Philemon 9-10, 12-17) tells how Saint Paul interceded for Onesimus urging his Master to receive him as a brother and no longer a slave. It points to fraternal correction and reveals how Masters should treat their servants in love.  

The gospel (Luke 14:25-33) narrates how Jesus tells the crowd following him to develop an undivided loyalty to God above family loyalties. It particularly recounts how he called the attention of his followers to the cost of discipleship by giving two parables about the man who intends to build and a king who is preparing for war. In the end, Jesus surmised:  “So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up his possessions.” 

 

3 Kinds of Detachment

1. Detachment from Wealth: The allure of riches has distracted many Christians from following Christ. The story of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16–30; Mark 10:17–31 & Luke 18:18–30) and Lazarus and the rich man (Lk 16:19-31) underscores the need for detachment from material wealth so as to make heaven.

2. Detachment from Human Affiliations: Most Christians have failed to answer the call to discipleship because of their affinity to family and friends. Jesus’ reaction to the man who wanted to say goodbye to his family and the other who wanted to go and bury his father (Lk 9:59-61) demonstrates that detachment from human affiliations is key to discipleship and discipling.  

3. Detachment from the World: The crisis of faith which many Christians experience today may not be unconnected with their lust for the things of this world. It was partly because of this that Adam and Eve sinned against God. The scripture which says, “You cannot serve both God and Mammon” (Lk 16:13) calls us to be more and more detached from the world in order to be connected to Christ.   

Pastoral Lessons

1. Seek God’s Counsel: The first reading (Wisdom 9:13-18B) urges us to follow the path of the saints who thought heavenward even as it admonishes us to seek God’s counsel by not dwelling on earthly concerns.

2. Embrace Divine Realities: The second reading (Philemon 9-10, 12-17) reveals that detachment entails embracing divine realities because if we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, it will be easy for us to embrace the cross of forgiving those who have hurt us and also shun the worldly trappings of materialism

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Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty Second Sunday of Year, C – September 1, 2019.

Readings: Sirach 3:17-20.28-29; Responsorial Psalm Ps 68:4-5ac.6-7ab. 10-11(R.11b); Heb. 12:18-19. 22-24a; Gospel Luke 14:1.7-14.

Theme: Pride Goes Before A Fall

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, since the devil deceived our first parents, Adam and Eve, he has not stopped his deceptive pranks. Perhaps this is why we are living in a world where the devil is constantly deceiving God’s children to be arrogant. We cannot forget how angels wanted to be like God and ended up badly. This is why this homily titled “Pride Goes Before A Fall” aims at urging us to fight the devil head-on by embracing the call to humility and simplicity of life. Before attempting that, we shall explore the background and summary of the readings in order to derive some practical lessons.   

                                                    
Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Sirach 3:17-20.28-29) reveals that gentility and humility are prerequisites for finding favour in the sight of God. It notes that although God is great, the prayer of the humble could bring him down to the level of the lowly. The reading further discloses that “there is no cure for the proud man’s malady, since an evil growth has taken root in him.” It surmises that “the heart of a sensible man will reflect on parables, an attentive ear is the sage’s dream.”

The second reading (Heb. 12:18-19. 22-24a) discloses the glory of the beatific vision, the heavenly Jerusalem. It reveals that the festival of heaven would be populated by millions of angels with the whole Church in which everyone is a “first-born” son and a citizen of heaven. It presents God as the supreme judge who is in the midst of the spirits of the saints who have been made perfect through the blood of purification which pleads more insistently than Abel’s. 

The gospel reading (Luke 14:1.7-14) narrates how on a certain Sabbath Jesus went to a house of a leading Pharisee for a meal and watched people taking places of honour. This made him to catechise his audience using a parable. He emphasized that if someone invites you for a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour because a more dignified person may have been invited and the person who invited the two of you might ask you to give up your place for this man; and to your embarrassment, you would have to take the lowest place. Instead, Jesus advised that you should take the lowest place so that later, you could be promoted to a higher place. He maintained that “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.”

He goes ahead to advise that when you give a lunch, do not invite your friends, relations or rich neighbours because they can pay you in return by inviting you for theirs. Instead, he advised that you should invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind because they cannot repay you. Just so, you will be rewarded by your father in heaven.      

Pastoral Lessons

1. Embrace Humility: Our liturgy calls us to shun what St. Thomas Aquinas describes in his Summa Theologica as the cause of sin which is the pride of life. Pride of life is anything that is “of the world,” which leads to arrogance, ostentation, pride itself (1 John 2:16), presumption, and boasting. The bible says:  “The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself…” (Sir 3:18). Little wonder, Jesus warns about taking places of honour.

2. Always Put Others Ahead of You: Jesus’ call that we should take the lowest places means that we should always put others ahead of us. In this way, we could be promoted by God to higher places.]

3. Work for an Inclusive Society: Our liturgy calls to embrace the gospel of social-inclusion and humility where race, gender, religion, political persuasion and social status are knocked down by our common-humanity and shared-interests.  

4. Be Your Brother’s Keeper: Jesus insists that we should be brother’s keeper. This means that we should be more concerned about the plight of the vulnerable especially orphans and widows. 

5. Work for the Common-Good: Jesus wants us to pay particular attention to justice and equitable distribution of resources. Only then can we be said to have built a world where justice and peace flow. 

6. Seek Heavenly Reward: We are invited to look beyond immediate reward by working towards the great festival in heaven where millions of angels with the whole Church in which everyone is a “first-born” son and a citizen of heaven are gathered.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty First Sunday of Year, C – August 25, 2019.

 Readings: Is 66:18-21; Responsorial Psalm Ps 117:1, 2; 

Heb 12:5-7, 11-13; Gospel Luke 13:22-30.

Theme: The Hard Way, the Only Way

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, 1989 American thriller movie titled “The Hard Way, the Only Way” directed by Michele Massimo Tarantini in which a Special Forces team infiltrates the “Golden Triangle” between Brazil and Colombia to kidnap Pinheiro, Bolivia's notorious drug dealer, resonates with the message of the gospel. This is because, in the movie, the only way out for three government agents to outwit their pursuers and reach the “Mission de la Serra” to take Pinheiro captive and unmask the traitors was “the hard way, the only way.” The “The Hard Way, the Only Way” is “To follow the trail of death and destruction in a world where only the strong survive.”

This is why our liturgy cautions us about the way to perdition. It reveals that the way to destruction is wide while the road to heaven is narrow and difficult. It points to Jesus as the narrow and only gate to heaven. It particularly draws our attention to follow the Royal Road of the Cross. It charges Christians to avoid the temptation of following shut cuts by working out our salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). We shall take a look at the summary of the readings in order to draw some spiritual lessons.

Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Is 66:18-21) reports that God would gather people from every nation under the earth to witness his glory. It notes that he would bring people from far distant islands to proclaim his splendor. It maintains that nations would gather on the holy mountain in Jerusalem where the people would offer sacrifices to the Lord.

The second reading (Heb 12:5-7, 11-13) highlights the fact that God disciplines his children because he loves them. The reading emphasizes that although at the time of trial suffering might seem unpleasant and painful, it is nonetheless part of training. The reading goes ahead to point at perseverance as an essential ingredient for the Christian life.

The gospel (Luke 13:22-30) narrates that Jesus as was going about towns and villages teaching and making his way to Jerusalem, someone asked him if only a few will be saved. And Jesus replied: “Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many ill try to enter and will not succeed.” He also made the point that once the Master locks the door, some people would come knocking and saying, we once ate and drank with you, you taught in our streets.

But then he would reply them: “I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men.” He adds that there will weeping and grinding of teeth when they see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in heaven while they themselves turned outside. He notes that people would come from the east, west, north and south and take their places at the feast of heaven and those who are now first, would be last.

Pastoral Lessons

1. Salvation is Universal: Both the first reading and the gospel suggest that salvation is universal which means that God calls everyone to repentance and redemption.

2. Salvation Requires Earnest Effort: We are reminded that salvation requires our earnest effort because although the door is narrow and exclusive, the invitation to the kingdom is wide and all-inclusive.

3. Salvation Needs Urgent Attention: While Jesus’ analogy of the door was directed at the Jews who felt that as the chosen people they had the exclusive ticket to the joys of paradise, we are warned to be on red alert otherwise, others would make heaven ahead of us.

4. There are No Automatic Tickets: Just as being a Jew is not an automatic ticket for making heaven, being a Christian does not guarantee business class reservations. If we busy ourselves with the pompous mentality that we have been saved or we belong to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church without concretely applying ourselves to the demands of the gospel namely, taking up our crosses daily to follow Jesus, we might end up badly.

5. Economy Would Judge Business Class: Since the gospel suggests that the Gentiles who are faithful would make heaven and stand in judgement against the Jews, if we are not careful, those in economy class (the unchurchy) would judge those in business class (the churchy).

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twentieth Sunday of Year, C – August 18, 2019.

Readings: Jer. 38:4-6, 8-10; Responsorial Psalm Ps 40:2, 3, 4,18 (R.14b); 

Heb.12:1-4; Gospel Luke 12:49-53.

Theme: Fire to the Earth

Introduction

Dearly beloved in Christ, today’s gospel contains one of the most misconstrued words of Jesus. Those who take on Christianity use this scripture as basis for accusing Jesus for calling for a bloody revolution. That is not all, they conclude that he cannot be the Prince of Peace he claims to be since he said: “I have come to bring fir to the earth ...” Far from it – to understand what Jesus said in context, we must realise that sacred texts can either be taken connotatively or denotatively.

While connotation refers to the suggestive or associated meaning of words, denotation refers to their literal or actual meaning. Taking the way of connotation, some biblical scholars are of the opinion that the fire Jesus talks about means the glow of love kindled in believing hearts. Others hold that it refers to other human emotions or the transformation effected in the world by Christ’s coming. To denote that Jesus was actually calling for war is to miss the mark. We shall now consider the text and its implication for our lives. 

Background and Summary of the Readings

In the first reading (Jer. 38:4-6, 8-10), the prophet Jeremiah is persecuted because he spoke truth to power. To the unwise, the prophet was stirring a revolution in the land – it would seem he was trying to cause division but in reality, he was doing his work namely, being the true prophet of God. Although he was thrown into a cistern, the God he served so well vindicated him.

The second reading (Heb.12:1-4) is very consoling because it assures that “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” It also calls us to look unto “Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” who is always with us. It urges us to shun the life of sin, persevere in all circumstances and not grow weary or fainthearted in our race of faith.

The Gospel (Luke 12:49-53) reveals how Jesus spoke of bringing “fire” to the earth. To be sure, this is not the first time the scripture talks about fire. In the burning bush, God spoke to Moses (Exodus 3:2); in Ezekiel (1:4, 13) the image of fire was used to symbolize God's glory. What is more, fire was also used to symbolise righteous judgment (Zechariah 13:9), his wrath against sin (Isaiah 66:15-16, his protective presence (2 Kings 6:17) and his holiness (Deut. 4:24). Most importantly, the Holy Spirit manifested itself as tongues of fire when it descended upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Matt. 3:11 and Acts 2:3).  Fire is both a cleansing and purifying agent in biblical thought.

Pastoral Lessons

1. Expect Persecution from Family and Friends: As disciples of Christ, we are encouraged to be encapsulated by the fire of God’s love by being prepared for persecution from family and friends based on the scripture which says: “A man's enemies are the men of his own household” (Micah 7:6).

2. Practise Christianity of the Cross: Our liturgy reminds us that Christianity is a religion of the Cross as such; every disciple of Christ should be prepared for heartbreak, rejection, persecution, disappointment and even death. 

3. Friends of God also Suffer: God does not spare his friends. "Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

4. Face Opposition Courageously: The seeming division which the gospel (Luke 12:49-53) suggests indicates that those who are consumed by the fire of God’s love ought to face opposition courageously.

5. Beware of a Secular Agenda: We should beware of secular humanists and or people with hardened hearts who oppose the truth of the gospel and propose a secular agenda to that effect.

6. Jesus’ Coming would Reveal Men’s Hearts: We are reminded about the "effect" of Jesus’ second coming which reveals the stubborn state of the human heart that searches the mundane and stands in the way of holiness, truth and justice.

7. Choose God Above All Else: The gospel calls all believers to choose God above any human affiliation such as parents, spouse and or children.

8. Talk-Truth to Power: Our attention should be drawn to his inner conviction and resilience to talk-truth to power while damming the consequences - Like the Prophet Jeremiah, pastors of soul are charged to take responsibility for talking-truth to power while relaying on God.

Homiletic Quotes to Remember

1. The prophet Jeremiah is persecuted because he spoke truth to power.

2. The prophet was stirring a revolution in the land.

3. The second reading…assures that “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.”

4. The Gospel reveals how Jesus spoke of bringing “fire” to the earth.

5. Fire is both a cleansing and purifying agent in biblical thought.  

Conclusion

Our liturgy reveals the cost of discipleship while bringing the fire of love to the earth. It calls us to carefully consider the cost before following Jesus or launching into the deep. The Word of God says: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39). May Christ help us to true followers of God through Christ Our Lord.

Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Nineteenth Sunday of Year, C – August 11, 2019.

 Readings: Wisdom 18:6-9; Responsorial Psalm Ps 33:1 and 12.18-19.20 and 22 (R.12b); Hebrews 11:1-2.8-19; Gospel Luke 12:32-48.

 Theme: The Ultimate Security

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, last Sunday the gospel indicated that “a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns” (Luke 12:15). Today, the gospel demands that we should not be afraid but rather, seek the ultimate security. Our society is no longer safe. From Boko Haram to Killer-herdsmen, armed bandits to hired assassins, ritualists to cultists and nefarious activities of commercial kidnappers who have cheapened life, there is a general feeling of insecurity in the country. The atmosphere is tensed as parents are no longer sure that their children are safe in school; travelers are frightened about our highways; worshippers are afraid of suicide bombers and market men and women are not sure that the day would end well as one mishap or the other might happen.

It is in this kind of scenario that seeking for the ultimate security becomes a sine qua non. Before doing that, we shall browse through the readings and state the kinds of security there are towards drawing some pastoral lessons.

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Wisdom 18:6-9) tells us how the forebears of the people of Israel had an unshakable trust in the Lord. It narrates how the people waited for God to deliver the righteous from evil ways and punish the enemy. They people felt privileged and gloried by God because of how he dealt with their adversaries. They then resolved to offer a secret sacrifice to the Lord with one accord even as they enacted a holy law which makes for sharing their joys and sorrows together through chanting the hymns of their ancestors. 

In the second reading (Hebrews 11:1-2.8-19), the writer of the letter to the Hebrews states that only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for or prove the existence of realities that we cannot see. Noting that it was by faith that the ancestors pleased God, he disclosed that it was by faith that Abraham obeyed the call of God to go to an unknown country; it was by faith that Sarah conceived in old age. He surmised that through one man who was marked for death, descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore were brought forth.

The Gospel reading (Luke 12:32-48) gives highlights on the theme of security. Jesus urged his disciples not to be afraid because God has given them the kingdom. He further maintains that they should sell their possessions and give to those in need stressing that they should get purses that do not wear out but store their treasures in heaven where no thief or moth can destroy.

He emphatically stated that wherever a man’s treasure is, there is his heart. Jesus then calls for vigilance and readiness because the Son of man is coming at an hour no one expects. He praises the servant who at his Master’s return, is found diligent in his duties. He further reveals that the servant who knows and does not fulfill what his Master wants would receive many strokes; the one did not know but acted in a way that he deserves beating would receive fewer strokes. He concluded that to whom much is given, much is expected.

One theme that runs through the readings is that of security. This is because, in the first reading from the Wisdom literature, the people of Israel looked up to God as their ultimate security; they traced the wellbeing of their ancestors to God; they linked their success over their enemies to his divine majesty noting: “You glorified us by calling us to you.” In the second reading, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews makes the point that faith means being secured in the arms of God. He cites Abraham and Sarah as being justified by faith because they felt secure under his protective hand. The gospel reading invites the Christian to look for divine security. This brings us to the various types of security there are:

Types of Security

1. Social and Physical Security: This means the protection of one’s position or life. In a society where people easily lose their jobs or their lives, social and physical security becomes paramount. Because of this, most people are trying to defend their jobs ad their lives. This is why those who can afford it usually employ body guards. 

2. Material and Financial Security: This relates to possessions such as houses or real estate, stocks, shares and money in the bank and cars. The craze for amassing of wealth is occasioned by material or financial security. Because people do not want to be poor, they prefer to save for the rainy day.

4. Emotional and Psychological Security: This has to do with a feeling of being loved and treasured. Every human being wants to be appreciated. Therefore, almost everyone desires that requisite affirmative action from friends and family as well as colleagues. This amounts to the demand for emotional and psychological security.

5. Divine/Spiritual and Moral Security: This involves relaying on God in whom we move, live and have our being. It is a total surrender to the will of God; it is faith and trust that all will be well even though things are not moving fine. It is the friends of God who seek after divine/spiritual and moral security rather than rely on man or material possessions.   

Practical Lessons

1. Trust God Totally: Based on the submission of the first reading (Wisdom 18:6-9) that the forebears of Israel had an unshakable trust in the Lord, we are called to have an unshakable faith in God to is able to do much more than we can ask or imagine. Little wonder the second reading reveals that: “Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for or prove the existence of realities that we cannot see.”

2. Allow God to Fight Your Battles: In the face of evil, insecurity and total annihilation of life by insurgents, killer-herdsmen, kidnappers et al, the position of the first reading that the people waited for God to deliver the righteous from evil ways and punish their adversaries invites us to do our best but allow God to fight our battles for us.

3. Offer a Secret Sacrifice: The reading urges us to consistently offer a secret sacrifice to the Lord with one accord even as we enact a holy law which makes for sharing our joys and sorrows together through chanting the hymns of the Saints.

4. Nothing is Impossible to God: The reminder of the writer of the letter to the Hebrews in our second reading (Hebrews 11:1-2.8-19) that Abraham obeyed God and Sarah conceived in her old age demonstrates to us that nothing is impossible with God. The saying attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte: “Impossibility exists in the dictionary of fools” comes in handy here.

5. Behave as Heirs of the Kingdom: The blessing that the descendants of Abraham would be as numerous as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore calls us to behave as heirs of the kingdom of light, justice and peace. Our way of life would show whether we are children of the kingdom or the devil.