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

Thirty-third Sunday of the Year, C – Nov 17, 2019

Readings: Malachi 4:1-2a; Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:5-6,7-9ab,9cd(R.cf9cd);

 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Gospel Luke 21:5-19.

Theme: End-time Reality and the Danger of False Prophets!

“In a land of religiosity without corresponding righteousness, we are encouraged to beware of the following: Churches without Christ, clerics without courtesy, collections without compassion, crusades without contemplation, followers without fidelity, flamboyance without fellow-feeling and fluency without fellowship.” Fr. Justine Dyikuk                                                                                          

Introduction

Friends in Christ, as we prepare to round up the Church’s Liturgical Calendar, our readings speak to us about judgement, false prophesy and end-time realities. You would recall that in 2016, a strange cross, five feet long appeared to a 15 year-old girl by name Hajara Hussaini near a Mosque in Assakio, Nassarawa state while she was on her way to an errand by her parents. In the same year, a shining light appeared on the crucifix in St. Augustine Catholic Church, Nenger, in Makurdi, Benue State. Both Christians and Muslims felt that these were signs of the end time. Really? Well, despite these signs, Jesus insists that that no one knows when the Son of Man would return (Matthew 24:36).  With this background in mind, we would do a summary of the readings in preparation for some take-home lessons.   

Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Malachi 4:1-2a) reveals what would happen at the end of time. It tells how God would punish the arrogant and evildoers by burning them up but for those who fear him, he would let the sun of righteousness shine upon them as he grants them healing.

In the second reading (Thessalonians 3:7-12), St. Paul challenged the faithful to be industrious and ready for every kind of good work following their good example. The reading presents St. Paul’s zero tolerance to laziness and how he urged all to embrace hard-work so as to earn the food they eat.  It surmises the theology of work by suggesting that through work, we can praise God.

The gospel reading (Luke 21:5-19) recounts the response of Jesus to some people who were talking about the temple, remarking it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings. It reveals how Jesus told them that everything would be destroyed. He further replied the issue of when that destruction will take place with the warning about those who would use his name to insinuate that the end is near. 

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

32^nd Sunday of the Year, C – November 10, 2019.

Readings: 2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14; Responsorial Psalm Ps 17:1, 5-6, 8,15; 

2 Thes 2:16-3:5; Gospel Lk 20:27-38 or Lk 20:27, 34-38.

Theme: The Lord of the Living 

Introduction

Friends in Christ, as we approach the end of the Church’s liturgical calendar, the liturgy draws our attention to dying for the Lord. In view of the four last things namely, death, judgment, heaven and hell, the readings challenge us to witness with our lives for the sake of the kingdom. In particular, today’s gospel message makes the point that before God, all people are alive. This underscores the popular saying of St. Irenaeus: “The glory of the Lord is man fully alive.”

This reflection titled: “He is God of the Living” calls the faithful to review their plan in life in line with God’s salvific plan for mankind. The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasis that God created us to know him, love, serve and be happy with him in the next. This demonstrates that whether we are alive or dead, we belong to the Lord. We shall browse through the readings for appropriate pastoral lessons.      

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14) reveals the dramatic witnessing of a courageous Jewish woman and her seven sons. This moving story is one of faith, courage and heroic witness. The reading discloses how this dutiful family was devoted to the law of God and their ancestors. It also points to the resurrection heroic witnessing.

The second reading (2 Thes 2:16-3:5) reveals St. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians. Paul equally prays for the message to spread quickly and be preserved from bigoted and evil people. He assured that the Lord would guide and strengthen them from the evil one. He urged them to be emboldened in doing what is right while praying that the Lord turns their hearts towards the love of God and fortitude with Christ. 

In the gospel (Lk 20:27-38), the Sadducees did not only deny the resurrection but went ahead to set a trap for Jesus. They veiled their grievance in a question about a woman who was married to seven men by inquiring whose husband she would be at the resurrection. It is important to note that those who do not believe in life after death were asking a question about the resurrection. Expectedly, Jesus cleared their doubts when he said: "...They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called out ‘Lord,’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive” (Lk 20:35). He goes ahead to reveal himself as the Lord of the living.   

Pastoral Application & Practical Lessons

1. Be Devoted to the Law of God: We are called to be devoted to the law of the Lord like the Jewish family in the first reading who said “It is for his laws that we are dying.” Besides, they may have been inspired by this scripture: “You shall thus observe all my statutes and all my ordinances and do the; I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:37).

2. Be Committed to the Law of the Church: Just as the family would rather die that eat pork and transgress the laws of their ancestors, we are challenged to observe the six laws of the Church come what may.

3. Be Convinced about the resurrection:  Christians are challenged to renew their faith in the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come just as the family were convinced that God would give them life again in heaven

4. Be Courageous in Witnessing: The courage of the young man in Verse 12 which surprised the King and his attendants teaches us to be courageous in witnessing to the faith.

5. Take to Witnessing of Words:  In line with the mandate of the Great Commission which Christ entrusted to his apostles and to the Church (Matthew 28:16-20), Christians are called to participate in the verbal proclamation of the word to the world. 

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

31^st Sunday of the Year, C – November 3, 2019.

Readings: Wis 11:22-12:2; Ps 145:1-2.8-9.10-11.13cd-14(R.1); 

2 Thess 1:11-2:2; Gospel – Luke 19:1-10.

Theme: This Man too is a Son of Abraham 

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, as we enter the month of November which is considered as a time for praying for the souls of the faithful departed, the Church invites us to reflect on the universality of salvation on the one hand and to refrain from passing premature judgement on the other. Accordingly, our reflection which has the theme “This Man too is a Son of Abraham” urges us to develop a larger than life approach in matters of the faith while pursuing our salvation in life and trembling (Philippians 2:12). We shall consider a summary of the readings in order to obtain the desired pastoral lessons. 

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Wis 11:22-12:2) reminds the faithful that the Lord is merciful to all and because he can do anything, he overlooks people’s sins so that they can repent. It further reveals that he does not abhor or hate anything he has created. It also notes that he spares all things because they are his and his spirit is in them all. It maintains that God corrects the offender and admonishes those who have sinned so that they can abstain from evil and trust in him.     

In the second reading (2 Thess 1:11-2:2), St. Paul prays for the Thessalonians so that God would make them worthy of his calling, fulfill their desires and compete all that they have been doing through faith to the glory of his name. He urged them to turn to the coming of the Lord even as he encouraged them not to be alarmed by rumours that the Day of the Lord has arrived.    

The gospel reading (Luke 19:1-10) recounts how Jesus entered Jericho and when he was going through the town, Zacchaeus, a rich man and a senior tax collector made an appearance; it further discloses that he ran ahead of Jesus and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of him. We are told that when Jesus spotted him, he urged him to climb down while assuring that he was going to stay in his house. At that, the crowd complained that Jesus was mingling with sinners. 

However, when Jesus got to the senior tax collector’s house, the man promised to give half of his property to the poor. He added that if he had cheated anyone, he was ready to pay back four times the amount. Jesus’ audience had passed premature judgement on Zacchaeus, shut him out and summarily condemned him. To their dismay, Jesus said: “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.”  This leads us to the two kinds of human judgement there are:

Types of Human Judgement

a). Internal Judgement:  This happens in the Church where we find people who feel that they are holy and so do not associate with sinners. They hate to see the priest mingle with people they have tagged as “sinners.” In their overzealous pharisaic attitude, they criminalise, stigmatize and label others and are angry even when the “sinner” tries to make amends. Perhaps they have failed to understand Abigail Van Buren’s popular saying that: “The Church is a hospital for sinners not a museum for saints.” Besides, Jesus warned the Israelites that at the end of time, they would be judged by Gentile nations. He also maintained that “the first shall be the last and the last, first” (Matt 20:16).

b). External Judgement: There is a tendency for Catholics to behave like the Israelites who felt that because they are the chosen people, salvation is their exclusive preserve. Most of us are guilty of passing external judgement on others because we feel that those outside the Catholic Church or Christian faith will not be saved. Sadly, we demonstrate this attitude in relations to non-Catholics and non-Christians. We often put them out, label and condemn them for eternal damnation. We forget that Jesus used the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin and prodigal son to teach us about the universality of salvation.  

Pastoral Application & Practical Lessons

1. Be Merciful: The message of the first reading (Wis 11:22-12:2) that God is merciful to all and overlooks people’s sin so that they can repent challenges us to be kind and merciful especially to those whom society labels as sinners like prostitutes, witches and wizards et al. 

2. Recognize Jesus in Others: On a daily basis, Jesus passes through the Jericho of our lives but only those who have the eyes of faith can recognize him in others especially those who are adjudged sinners in our various communities.   

3. Embrace Humility: Just as it took humility for Zacchaeus to put aside his high status (chief tax collector) and social standing (wealth) in society to climb a tree in public, unless we throw away our earthly trappings of power and money towards embracing humility, we may not meet the Lord in our lifetime or the next. 

4. Desire God Ardently: We are challenged to emulate Zacchaeus who developed “an irresistible desire” for the Lord which emboldened him to find a way to catch a glimpse of Jesus. 

5. Fix Your Gaze on God: Instead of putting his gaze on his predicament of shortness in stature, the tax collector fixed his gaze on Christ which indicates that the Christian should have a larger than life approach to religion by looking at the bigger picture based on God’s plans for his or her life. 

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

30^th Sunday of the Year, C – October 26, 2019.

Readings: Sir 35:12c-14; Ps 34:2-3.17-18.19 & 23 (R.7a); 2 Tim 4:6-8; 

Gospel – Luke 18:9-14.

Theme: Standing for the Vulnerable 

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, at the heart of the Church is a preferential option for the poor. Canon Law stipulates that: ““The Christian faithful are also obliged to promote social justice and, mindful of the precept of the Lord, to assist the poor” (Can. 222 §1). The poor here stands for those who are materially and spiritually disadvantaged. This is because the bible teaches that the justice of a society is tested or judged by how treats the poor. Time and time again, the Church has urged every Christian to make a deliberate choice of lifting the poor from their disadvantaged position to concrete ways of living fulfilled lives. Seen as a major achievement of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) in the 20th century, preferential option for the poor mandates the people of God to demonstrate unwavering support for the poor and vulnerable.

Background & Summary of the Readings

Our first reading (Sir 35:12c-14) maintains that the Lord is no respecter of persons especially those who discriminate against the poor. It rather instructs that He listens to the cries of the injured party especially orphans and widows who petition heaven by pouring out their supplication. It further notes that the prayer of those who serve the Lord wholeheartedly tears the cloud as the Lord hears their plea. Because they are resolute and inconsolable, God does not delay in answering them.

In the second reading (2 Tim 4:6-8), St. Paul maintains that his life is a libation. He narrates his ordeal stating that having borne all trials, what awaits him is the crowd of eternal glory which the righteous judge would give him as well as to all those who await His appearing. He stressed that the God who delivered him from the lion’s mouth would indeed bring him safely to his kingdom.

The Gospel (Luke 18:9-14) narrates two parables presented by Jesus to those who prided themselves as virtuous while despising others. Jesus reveals that two men; a Pharisee and a Tax Collector went to the temple to pray. While the former praised himself for not grasping, being unjust and adulterous like other human beings especially the Tax Collector, the latter stood at a distance and dared not look up to heaven said: “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” Jesus disclosed that the Tax Collector went home aright with God but the Pharisee did not.  He concluded that: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted.” 

Biblical Examples of Standing for the Vulnerable

1. Elisha: In heroic witnessing, we are told that, the Prophet Elisha left his oxen and ran after Elijah (1 Kings 19:20). Also, the Prophet helped to save the lives of a poor widow and her two sons by performing the miracle of oil (2 Kings 4:1-7). This attests to the teaching of the Old Testament that “God's covenant with Israel was dependant on the way the community treated the poor and unprotected - the widow, the orphan and the stranger” (Deut. 16.11-12, Ex. 22.21-27, Isa. 1.16-17).

2. John the Baptist: We are told that John the Baptist lived in the wilderness feeding on milk, honey and grasshopper until when he appeared openly to Israel. He lived an austere life of humility, docility and poverty of the spirit so as to show people the Christ. Although it was mostly the lowly that heeded his all, we are told that soldiers too came to him. Indeed, he was a friend of the meek and the lowly.  

3: Jesus: In the bible, Jesus stresses that He was anointed to bring good news to the poor (Luke 4.1-22). The New Testament presents the poor as agents of God’s transforming power. Little wonder, Jesus loved little children; he chose the poor widow as a model of charity, he gave the parable of Lazarus and the rich man and reiterated that the last judgment would be based on how we respond to the hungry, the thirsty, the prisoner and the stranger (Matthew 25.31-46).

Contemporary Examples of Saints Who Stood for the Poor

1. Oscar Romero: Oscar Romero remains a shining example of one who made a preferential option for the poor. In El Salvador, he stood against an oppressive regime’s brutal civil war with the FMLN which was funded by the United States of America. He used his Sunday homilies at the Cathedral of San Salvado which were broadcast live on radio to the Salvadoran population as a tool for his campaign by announcing the names of victims of torture and brutal murder which the government denied. He urged the Church to live out the Gospel in the name of the poor. As a result, Archbishop Romero was killed by an assassin’s bullet on March 24, 1980. After his beatification, he was declared a Saint by Pope Francis on October 14, 2018. 

2. Mother Teresa of Calcutta: Also known as the “Saint of the Gutter” or “Angel of the Slums,” the Albanian Mother Teresa demonstrated solidarity with the unwanted, unloved and uncared for who were dying of HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis in the slums of Calcutta by joining in the struggle for social justice. Following her beatification, she was canonised in St. Peter's Square by Pope Francis on September 4, 2016 at a ceremony in Vatican City.

3. John Paul II: In his life and teachings, St. John Paul II made a preferential option for the poor. For instance, in his encyclical Centesimus Annus, which celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum (On Capital and Labor) which was published in 1991, Pope John Paul II moved the concept of option for the poor out of liberation theology by elaborating on it to include both spiritual and material poverty. In that document, he said: “Love for others, and in the first place love for the poor, in whom the Church sees Christ in himself, is made concrete in the promotion of justice” (St. John Paul II, On the Hundredth Year [Centesimus Annus…], No. 58). 

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

Twenty-Ninth Sunday of the Year, C & World Mission Sunday – October 20, 2019.

Readings: Ex 17:8-13; Responsorial Psalm Ps 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; 

2 Tm 3:14-4:2 & Gospel Luke 18:1-8.

Theme: Pray Until Something Happens (PUSH)

Introduction

Dearly beloved in Christ, today being October 20, 2019, the Church celebrates the 94^th edition of World Mission Sunday (WMS). The Holy Father Pope Francis has called for an Extraordinary Missionary Month to be celebrated at all levels. Bearing in mind this year’s theme: “Baptised and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in the World,” we are called to assess “My Mission” and “Our Mission” as Christians. Although our reflection is not based on the readings for WMS, we will nonetheless demonstrate how the readings of the day relate to this celebration. Meantime, our readings for this Sunday challenge us on the need for perseverance and synergy as people of God on mission. This reflection is weaved around Fr. Ejike Mbaka’s popular slogan: “Pray Until Something Happens” (PUSH). 

  

Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Ex 17:8-13) reveals how the hand of Moses became weary when the people of Israel were fighting the Amalekites. It narrates how Aaron and Hur held Moses' hands up to ensure victory. We are told that as long as Aaron and Hur held Moses' hands up, God granted victory to his people. The reading points to perseverance as a recipe for petitioning heaven for our needs and the needs of the world.                                       

In the second reading, (2 Tm 3:14-4:2) St. Paul reminds Timothy and indeed all Christians to keep to the truth they have been taught. He reveals that the Holy Scriptures contains the truth of the faith and wisdom of salvation noting that all scripture is inspired and profitable for refuting error, guiding people’s lives, teaching them to be holy. He encourages preaches of the gospel to be faithful stewards of God who are called to preach God’s word to refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience even as they are patient in teaching.

The gospel (Luke 18:1-8) reading narrates the parable of the ruthless judge and the widow. Jesus reveals how the widow kept going to this Judge who neither feared God nor man. But since she kept pestering him, he had no option than to grant her desires. In like manner, he insisted that God would see justice done to those who call on him day and night. And he ask, when God comes, will he find any faith on earth?   

    

Pastoral Lessons

1. Give Shared-Responsibility a Chance: Aaron and Hur can be described as members of the laity who are called to be collaborators in the evangelising mission of the Church – therefore, as co-heirs of God's kingdom, the lay faithful are urged to hold the hand of Moses by being partners in progress through shared-responsibility.

2. Respect Religious Leaders: As a people, we are urged to see the Moses motif in our Church leaders and pray for them so as to be the ministers of God they are called to be.                                         

3. Practise Perseverance: Our first reading prepares us for the message of the gospel wherein the parable of the wicked Judge and the distressed widow point to perseverance in prayer as a recipe for all Christians who are called to be persistent in seeking, asking and knocking.

4. Be Faithful Stewards: In the second reading (2 Tm 3:14-4:2), we are also called to be faithful stewards of God as we offer our prayerful sentiments to him.

5. God Can Surprise Us: While we cannot juxtapose the Judge's readiness to help the widow with God’s divine assistance, suffice it to say that our God is able to do infinitely much more than we can ask or imagine.

6. Fight Distractions: As a people of faith, we must resolve to fight the factors which distract us in prayer such as physical, mental or psychological, material and syncretic distractions.

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

Twenty-Eight Sunday of the Year, C – October 13, 2019.

Readings: 2 Kgs 5-14-17; Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4; 

2 Tm 2:8-13 &

Gospel Luke 17:11-19.

Theme: For All Things, Give Thanks

Introduction

Friends in Christ, on this Sunday, our liturgy calls us to watch against commercial Christianity.  In a country where some Ministers of God feed fat on the gullibly of the faithful, the Church presents us with the heroic example of Elisha who refused to take anything from Naaman, the Syrian Army General after God used him to heal the leper. In the gospel, the story of the only Samaritan who returned to give thanks to God prepares our minds for lessons in thanksgiving. In this reflection titled “For All Things, Give Thanks” taken from the gospel acclamation (1 Th 5:18), we shall consider the background of the sacred texts in order to draw some pastoral lessons.

Background and Summary of the Readings

The first reading (2 Kgs 5-14-17) narrates how Naaman went to immerse himself seven times in the Jordan as instructed by Prophet Elisha. We are told that his skin became like that of a little child. As a result, he returned with his whole retinue to offer thanks to God for cleansing him from leprosy but Elisha refused the gifts. At that, he asked for permission to offer sacrifice to no other god except the Lord.  

In the second reading, (2 Tm 2:8-13) St. Paul narrates how he was chained on account of the gospel but stressed that they could not chain the Good News. He surmised that if we die with Christ, we would live with him noting that we may be unfaithful but God is always faithful.

The gospel (Luke 17:11-19) reveals how Jesus entered a gentle territory and ten lepers who stood far off begged him to heal them. We are told that he ordered them to go and show themselves to the priests and while they were on the way, they got healed. Discovering that he was made whole again, one of them, a foreigner, returned to Jesus to offer thanks. At that, Jesus said to him: “Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.” 

Pastoral Lessons

1. God Abhors Ingratitude: The story of Naaman discloses God’s displeasure with the sons and daughters of Israel for failing to offer thanks to God even as it challenges us to always be thankful to God for favours received.

2. Give Freely: By rejecting the gifts offered by Naaman, the Prophet Elisha challenges men of God to work for the Lord out of an ardent desire for saving souls - As such, give freely because you received freely (Mtt10:8).

3. Beware of that Tinted Thing: In a society that is crazy with donor fatigue occasioned by tithes for blessings, giving for promotion and threats to unwilling givers, pastors of souls must re-access their vocation based on the attitude of Elisha bearing in mind the words of ordination: “Work not for sordid gain...” and “Model your life according to the mystery of the cross.”  

4. Be Faithful: The message of St. Paul in the second reading calls us to be faithful in offering thanks to God in season and out of season; in riches and in want.

5. Imitate Naaman and the Samaritan: The actions of Naaman and the Samaritan which was an indictment on the people of Israel for failing to thank God for his numerous blessings in their lives calls us to emulate them by being apostles of thanksgiving.

6. Take to Qualitative Giving: The story of Naaman reminds us of Abel who offered a better sacrifice to God (Gen 4:4 Cain) – it also calls us to embrace quantitative giving of which St. Paul writes:  "Each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper" (1 Corinthians 16:2).                     

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

Twenty-Seventh Sunday of the Year, C – October 6, 2019.

Readings: Habakkuk 1:2-3,2:2-4; Responsorial Psalm Ps 94:1-2,6-9; 

2 Tim 1:6-8,13-14 & Gospel Lk 17:5-10.

Theme: Fulfilling Our Duty

Introduction

Friends in Christ, our liturgy calls to fulfil our duty to the Lord in faith. The scripture tells us that "Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines it as: “the supernatural gift of God which makes us believe without seeing what God has revealed.” As such, we shall navigate through a summary of the readings in order to derive the requisite pastoral lessons. 

Background and Summary of the Readings

In the first reading (Habakkuk 1:2-3,2:2-4), Prophet Habakkuk speaks for the people of Judah who were about to be overtaken by the Babylonian army. He wondered why God would allow his chosen people to be conquered by a pagan empire. Since God answers prayers at his own time, it took seventy years for them to return to the Holy Land. Habakkuk, however, could not live to see the deliverance. 

In the second reading (2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14), St. Paul tasks Timothy to fan into flames the gift of God he received during the laying on of hands. He further states that God’s gift is not a spirit of timidity but that of power, love and self-control. He urged his son in the faith not to be ashamed of suffering but to bear hardship patiently for the sake of the gospel. Paul advised him to keep to the sound teaching in faith and love even as he guards the faith with the help of the spirit. 

The gospel (Lk 17:5-10) presents an account of how the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith. The question is in reference to previous chapters of Luke wherein Jesus laid before the apostles the cost of discipleship and the implication of scandalising little ones. Jesus had to ask the disciples “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25) when they were in a boat with him and a storm occurred. He also had prayed for Peter so that his faith would not fail knowing fully well that he was going to betray him (Luke 22:32). What is interesting is the ability of the apostles to ask for the gift of faith.

Pastoral Lessons

1. Wait on the Lord: The first reading charges us to always wait on the Lord like the people of Judah as delay is not denial.

2. Harken to the Words of Scripture: The message of St. Paul in the second reading urges us to take as our norm the sound words that we hear from the apostle in the faith and love.   

3. Bear Hardships: We are reminded that faith in God does not immune us from trials, temptations and tribulations – God does not promise us a turbulence-free flight. He, however, assures us of safe landing. We are called to bear our share of hardship for the sake of the gospel with the strength that comes from the spirit.