DATE : 7/3/2021
EVENT : The Third Sunday of Lent
COLOUR:Violet
READINGS : Eco. 20:1-17; Resp. Psalm 18:8-11; 1Cor. 1:22-25; John 2:13-25.
THEME: DO NOT DESECRATE YOUR BODILY TEMPLE
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Third Sunday of March, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Do Not Desecrate Your Bodily Temple ". Beloved, today being the third Sunday of Lent, The Church has put before us the readings of today so that we can take a deep look at our hearts and discover those areas which require urgent cleaning, cubwebbing, sweeping, mopping and complete overhauling. But, we cannot adequately do this if we do not know or have the righttools by which we can measure or determine our filthiness.
In the first reading of today, Exo. 20:1-17, we head how the Lord God, out of love for his people, offered them his ten commandments, which will enable them to serve him better and also to live peacefully with eachother. We must recognise that whatever God does, it is targeted towards our eternal salvation. Just like the Psalmist sang today, 'God alone has the message of eternal life'. And if we keep his commandments faithfully, we can be sure of obtaining the reward of his redemption. However, we must also consciously have it constantly in mind that the ways, thoughts and commandments of God, is somewhat different from the reasoning of the world. This is because the world as we know it, is being controlled by the evil one. And the evil one's ways are antagonistically opposed to that of God the supreme good. Hence, to live in and love God is to set yourself at loggerheads with the world. And unless you are made of tough skin, you may shudder and fall. This is why St. Paul already told us through the second reading, 1Cor. 1:22-25, that as Christians who are followers of a crucified Christ, the world sees us as foolish people. Thus, whatever you do or say, makes little or no meaning to the world. Hence, we must ignore the allures and distractions of the world and not allow it to rub off it's stint in us.
Beloved,, one question that I am often asked is this: Father, how can I remain sinless in this world where wrongdoings is commonplace, with my emotions welling up, with inviting temptations beckoning on me and with my needs constantly unmet? Child of God, as a Catholic priest, I know that many of us are making sincere effort to purify our hearts and to keep our bodies which is the temple of the Holy Spirit pure and spotless. So let's keep struggling for we can truly be holy. But, like the Gospel reading of today, John 2:13-25, where Jesus cleansed the temple from all unnecessary activities being carried out within the walls of the sacred space. Many of us have filled our lives with rubbish and harmful activities. And unless we get radical enough like Jesus, we may not be able to clean up the mess that is in our lives. Child of God, ask yourself today, what are the essential things you really need to live a decent and holy life. Identify those things and do away with the remaining ones. Ask yourself, do you really need to keep all the friends and acquaintances in your life? If no, then curtail your relationships. Do you really need to attend all the programs you have planned for, if no, then miss it. Do you really need to comment and reply to all the messages that you get or that come to you, if not, then speak on the essential ones only. And let the temple cleansing continues.
Beloved in Christ, God has chosen you as the apple of his eye, he has called you by a new name, he has given you his commandments, which will serve as your compass and to help you to navigate through the cheap tempations of the evil one. He has deposited his Spirit within you, to make of y…
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