DATE : 17/1/2021, the Second Sunday of the Year (B)
EVENT : Mass of the Sunday
COLOUR:Green
READINGS 1 Samuel 3:3-10.19; Resp. Psalm. 40:2 and 4ab.7-8.8b-9.10; 1Cor. 6:13c-15a.17-20; John 1:35-42.
THEME: GOD IS CALLING YOU
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Second Sunday of the Ordinary Time of the Church, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " God is Calling You". Beloved in Christ, during my days in the seminary, one of my very close friends who is not very religious asked me a very shocking question. He said, 'shebi priesthood na call from God? And I answered 'yes'. Then he said to me, 'the day wey God call you, which name he use, Emmanuel or Nnamdi? And I became speechless. Often times, when we hear that God is calling us, we mistake it for a verbal call from God, wanting to hear loud and clear the voice of God before we respond. I guess that was the conception of my friend the day he asked me that question. However, we must realise that God calls each of us in different ways. For some, it may be a direct verbal call from God. For others, it may be an indirect call, through the mouth of a minister of God. For others still, it may be through the events of life, which will then lead them to follow God. Some others may be moved by the word of God which they found in the Scripture or the preaching of God's minister. For others, it may be a natural burning desire to follow God, which through the grace of the Spirit, they were able to respond to appropriately. In whatever way, we receive this call, God wants us to come to him and to do his will.
In the first reading of today, we were told that while Samuel was ministering to Eli, God called out to him (Cf. 1Sam. 3:1-10). But still being inexperienced in Godly matters, Samuel would not discern the voice of God until Eli intervened and gave him the tricks. The same scenario played out in the Gospel reading also (Cf. John 1:35-42). Jesus was calling the two disciples with John the Baptist in their hearts. But they were not able to perceive this call, until John the Baptist made their hearts to come alive and to quake by pointing out Jesus to them. Then they realised that his invitation has since been in their hearts. Usually unless there is a strong resistance or defiance, God does not force His call on us. But like a gentle guest, he will keep knocking at the doorposts of our hearts (Rev. 3:20), until we voluntarily respond to His call.
Child of God, in his 'Confessions', St. Augustine said, "Lord you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you". Beloved, you belong to God, and not to yourself. Hence, our lives should be one which is always disposed to please and do the will of God. Whenever God has need for our services, he will call us. But if we indulge ourselves in degrading, unbecoming and sinful deeds, especially that which affect bodily purity (E.g. fornication, adultery, masturbation, lust, tattooing, etc). As St. Paul warns us in the second reading of today, 1Cor.6:13-15.17-20, then it becomes very difficult for us to be available to answer the call of God. Remembering that it is the sins of Eli's Son, Hophni and Phinehas, that prevented them from being available to respond to the call of God. God bless you
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 rid myself of every form of sin that will prevent me from hearing and answering your call in my life..
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 SUNDAY BELOVED FRIENDS.
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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