Fr Ebuka Umekachikelu, MSP - Homily Tuesday, May 14, 2019

ST MATTHIAS, Ap. (FEAST)

DO NOT FIGHT FOR OFFICES: Today that we celebrate the feast of the Apostle Matthias, the Lord uses this occasion to show us how offices in the Church should be amicably allotted to those who are chosen as qualified, without rancour from other members, who may think that they are even more qualified. With the suicide of Judas, his position was left vacant. A competent authority had to call for a replacement and decide the procedure. This was exactly what Peter did. Many of the 120 disciples present could have been desirous of the post, but everyone put the interest of the community first. There were criteria to be met, which would be beneficial to all. None of the disciples, who were sieved out in the first elimination process, complained. Likewise, Barsabbas did not complain, when the lot fell on Matthias. Before casting the lot, they prayed seriously that God himself would make the choice. It was a smooth elevation into an office. It was not reported that any of the disciples was vying for the post. This is what should be obtainable in all religious societies. On the contrary, in the Nigerian Church today, religious offices are vied for and surrounded with dirty politics, the type seen in civil society. Many desire more the glamour and aura of the office than the self-sacrifice it calls for. Some people could even become frustrated, sick and eventually die because they could not overcome the shock of missing a coveted office. We ought to learn how to put God’s plan first in all our endeavours. We should always ask him about the plan he has for everyone of us, just as the disciples did before casting the lot.  

PRAYER:

O Lord, let my heart not be proud or over-ambitious. Give me the grace to do my assignments devotedly, to the glory of your name. Amen.