Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for the First Sundy of Lent Year B - February 21, 2021

Homily of First Week of Lent Year B, 2021

Genesis 9:8-15; Psalm 25:4-9; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15

 The first reading tells us about God’s covenant with Noah. I think that what Noah did after surviving the flood contributed to God’s covenant with him. Scripture says, “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and choosing from every clean animal and every clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar. When the Lord smelled the sweet odor, the Lord said to himself: Never again will I curse the ground because of human beings, since the desires of the human heart are evil from youth; nor will I ever again strike down every living being, as I have done. All the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:18-22). The entire first reading contains details of God’s covenant with Noah. Noah did not take his surviving the flood for granted. He built an altar to the Lord and offered sacrifice. Noah’s gratitude, thanksgiving, and putting God first earned him God’s covenant. This teaches us the power of gratitude, thanksgiving, and putting God first. May we be able to offer God sweet smelling sacrifice. May God smell our sacrifice and renew his covenant with us. Amen.

 I still remember the impressive way my catechism teacher, years ago, presented the story of Noah. He said that Noah warned his country people about the impending rain and flood as a result of their sinful life; but they did not believe him. They preferred their worldly and sinful life. When the rain and flood came, they all perished.

 As Noah warned his country people to repent of their sins (according to my catechism teacher), Jesus warns us in today’s gospel, “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). St. Paul writes in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus Christ is the new Noah’s ark that lifts us up to safety and leads us to God (second reading, 1 Peter 3:18). Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

 The readings invite us to soul-searching. Am I, stubbornly, engaged in a behavior or behaviors that if I do not disengage from, would ruin my life, my faith, my career, my business, my finance, my family, my vocation, my position, my job, my marriage, my future, and so on? When St. Paul says that the wages of sin is death; sometimes, it could be bodily death; but most of the time, it is spiritual death, especially the ruin a person brings upon himself or herself. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…” Many people take God’s patience for granted at a very high cost as Noah’s country people did. Let us make hay while the sun shines. Let us catch the dark skinned goat before nightfall. Today, we hear the Lord calling; let us not harden our hearts (Psalm 95:7). Let us not be wise in our own eyes (Proverbs 3:7). “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: ‘He catches the wise in their own ruses,’ and again: ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain’” (1 Corinthians 3:19).

 The Lenten Season is one of the special times God invites us to come back to the source of our salvation. It is a season of grace and a season of repentance.

 In today’s gospel reading, the Spirit drove Jesus into the desert where he was tempted by Satan. Jesus was among wild beasts, but the angels ministered to him. In the same way, we are in all kinds of deserts; and encountering all kinds of trials and temptations. We are among all kinds of dangerous and prowling wild beasts. We pray God to send his angels to minister to us, and guide us to triumph over trials, conquer temptations, and strengthen us to survive the prowling of every dangerous wild beast. Amen.

 Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Augustine Inwang, MSP - Homily for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary time Year B - February 14, 2021

 Readings: Lv. 13:1-2, 44-46; 1 Cor. 10:31-11:1; Mk. 1:40-45 

No One Has Ever Loved Me Like You Do.

1.     Imagine being in a dire situation, desperately waiting for assistance. And then someone comes around, gives you a helping hand and changed your lot for good. He provided for you and made sure that you will never again be in want. What would you say to that person? I guess you would say “Thank you so much. No one has ever showed me love like you do.”  

2.     The first reading described the deplorable condition of lepers. “If someone has on his skin a scab or pustule or blotch which appears to be the sore of leprosy, he shall be brought to Aaron, the priest.” (Lv.13:1). According to Fr. Robinson, “Without the sophistication of modern medicine, the term “leprosy” was applied to almost any kind of skin disease: such as ringworm, psoriasis, eczema, and leprosy itself. Anyone so afflicted with such diseases was required to avoid contact with anyone else lest the disease spread to the whole community. A ‘leper’ could not work, go to synagogue or temple, or visit his or her family. Usually a ‘leper’ ended up living in caves or tombs alone or in a colony with other lepers.”  It was the duty of the priest to declare a leper unclean. Such a person was then cast out of the community.

3.     The leper in today’s gospel knew his dire and deplorable situation. He knew that he was not to come out in public or come near anyone, even Jesus. He dared it all the same. He had no other option than Jesus who says, “I am the way the truth and the life.” (Jn.14:6) Again, “Come to me all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28). He was courageous, bold and hopeful. He must have heard about Jesus; that he was compassionate, kind, merciful and caring. He approached Jesus, went on his knees and made his request. “If you wish, you can make me clean.” (Mk. 1:40). His prayer was simple. He surrendered himself and entrusted his sickness into the hands of Jesus. His faith was in God; he was hopeful that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, he saves those whose spirit is crushed.” (Ps. 34:18-19). Because “Those who trust in the Lord are like mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” (Ps. 125:1). His prayer was the prayer of Jesus, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Mt. 26:39). This is how Jesus taught us to pray: “Your will be done on earth as is in heaven.” (Mt.6:10).

4.     There are two instances that stand out for me in the bible, among many others, that Jesus touched and transformed people and left them speechless. The first is the woman caught in the act of committing adultery. She was condemned to death; her accusers were waiting with stones in their hands. The law of Moses commanded it, and they were ready to obey. But Jesus uttered those magic words “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw stone at her.” (Jn. 8:7). With that, the woman was brought back to life from the brink of death. She was grateful to Jesus and praised him with every fiber of her being. Oh “No one has ever loved me like you do.”

5.     The second is the leper in today’s gospel. We heard the prayer of the leper and also heard those magic words again from the lips of Jesus: “I do will it. Be made clean.” (Mk. 1:41). And “The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.” (Mk. 1:42). Then Jesus warned him sternly, ‘see that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest.’ Jesus rescued the leper from isolation, disgrace, pains, distress, rejection and emptiness. Mark Links captured the situation thus: “The leper’s life was a living hell. People hated the sight of him, and he, in turn, hated the sight of himself.” The Psalmist describes his wretched condition. “Those who know me are afraid of me; when they see me in the street, they run away…I am like something thrown away.” (Ps. 31:11-12). But the Lord removed from his mouth, the words we heard from Job last week, “I shall not see happiness again.” (Job 7:7). Instead, the leper would say “I waited, waited for the Lord, who bent down and heard my cry. He drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of the swamp, set my feet upon rock, steadied my steps.” (Ps.40:1-4). I can imagine the leper, now made clean, saying “No one has ever loved me as you do.”

6.     Today is Valentine’ day, technically called, lovers’ day. Jesus is the one lover we all need, who will never disappoint us. We are fragile people living in a broken world. But like St. Paul in the second reading, we know that “We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair…and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed…For this reason we never become discouraged.” (2Cor. 4:8-9,16). We seek to fall in love with a lover who loves us more than anyone else. We are lepers excluded from the community because of our sins. We must show ourselves to the priest in the sacrament of reconciliation so that he may restore us to wholeness and reconcile us to God and to one another. God bless you!

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

 

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary time Year B - February 14, 2021

Homily of Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 2021

 Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11; 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45

 The Book of Leviticus is so called because it deals with concerns of priests. At that time, priests were of the tribe of Levi. The book deals with ritual and spiritual rules and regulations. The first reading is about some regulations concerning the disease of leprosy and the responsibility of priests. It was the responsibility of the priest to declare a person leprous and unclean. Anyone declared leprous by the priest “shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp.” The leprous “shall keep his garment rent and head bare, and muffle his beard;” and shout “unclean, unclean” should he come by people (Leviticus 13:44-46). By so doing, the leprous alerted the people to give way so as not to be made ‘unclean.’ Leviticus 5:3 instructs, “If someone, without being aware of it, touches some human uncleanness, whatever kind of uncleanness this may be, and then subsequently becomes [unclean].”

 Leprosy was a dangerous disease. It mercilessly chops off part of the body; toes, fingers, ears’ blades, lips, eyelashes, and so on. It hardens the parts of the body it affects in such a way that it renders medication ineffective. No wonder it was a dreaded disease among the Jews, as we see in the first reading. But in the gospel of today, Jesus treated the leper differently. We read, “A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged him and said, ‘If you wish, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, ‘I do will it. Be made clean.’ The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.” People during the time of Jesus were amazed at him and said, “A new teaching with Authority” (Mark 1:27). We are all spiritually leprous. Our sins spiritually deformed and disfigured us. Our sins sometimes harden our hearts that the word of God is unable to penetrate us. We are all unclean. But Jesus treats us with pity. We need to learn from the leper and come to Jesus. He will touch us, forgive us, and heal us. Let us bring to Jesus all our illnesses and afflictions. May Jesus be moved with pity, touch and make us whole. Amen.

 We pray with this song:

Touch me one more time, O Lord;

Touch me one more time, O Lord;

I need the forgiving touch of the Master;

I need the forgiving touch of the Lord;

Touch me one more time, O Lord.

 Touch me one more time, O Lord;

Touch me one more time, O Lord;

I need the healing touch of the Master;

I need the healing touch of the Lord;

Touch me one more time, O Lord.

 It was the priest that declared a leprous unclean (Leviticus 13:8); and it was the priest that declared a person clean when the person was healed from leprosy (Leviticus 13:17). In the gospel reading of today, Jesus said to the man he healed from leprosy, “… go, show yourself to the priest …” (Mark 1:44). These passages are not mere coincidence. The passages are some of the biblical foundations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We show ourselves to the priest at the Sacrament of Reconciliation in humble obedience to Jesus. And the priest, in the name and authority of Jesus and the Church, declares us ‘clean.’   

 On our own part, are there people we treat as if they are lepers? Are there people we despise, ostracize, exclude, and discriminate against? Are there people we label ‘unclean’ and avoid them? We cannot be desiring to be close to God while we resentfully distance ourselves from fellow human beings. We cannot be praying to God and asking for forgiveness and healing while we refuse to do the same to fellow human beings. Jesus says in Luke 6:38, “For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” We are challenged, today, not to belittle anyone, or treat anyone as if the person is inferior and worthless. St. Paul advises us in the second reading, “Avoid giving offense, whether Jew or Greek or the Church of God” (1 Corinthians 10:32). Jesus sets an example for us to imitate.

 Fr. Martin Eke, MSP

Fr. Augustine Inwang, MSP - Homily for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary time Year B - February 7, 2021

 Readings: Job 7:1-4, 6-7; 1 Cor. 9:16-19, 22-23; Mk. 1:29-39 

He Took Our Infirmities and Bore Our Diseases

1.     Last Sunday I reflected on the plan that Jesus had in the execution of his mission. The driving force of his success was his relationship with God through prayer. Healing people drained him of his power and so he had to get charged after every ministry of healing. This is how Mark recorded it. A woman who had been sick for 12 years pushed through a crowd to touch Jesus. When she did, she was instantly healed. “At once,” Jesus knew that power had gone out of him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” (Mk. 5:30).

2.     Today’s Gospel is a continuation of last Sunday’s. Here we see a typical day in the life of Jesus. He preached with authority in the Synagogue, cast out demons; left the Synagogue and went with his companions to Peter’s house and healed his mother-in-law; more sick people came to him and he healed them all. He barely had time to eat, for though Peter’s mother-in-law got up after her healing and served them, Jesus’ attention must have been on the sick people he had to heal. It is clear that the healing took place at night. “When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.” (Mk. 1:32). Since it was still Sabbath, it was not until sunset, when the neighbors could bring their sick to Jesus. Transporting them on the Sabbath would be an offense against the Sabbath. He must have been tired and hungry; and he could have spent the remaining part of the night and the following day sleeping. But no, not Jesus. “Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.” (Mk 1:35).

3.     In the morning, his disciples found him at prayer, and told him “Everyone is looking for you.” His answer was: “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose, have I come.” (Mk 1:37-38). Jesus saw a great urgency in fulfilling his mission. He wanted to reach as many people as possible and so he must be on the move. Not even fame or cheap popularity could slow him down. He had places to go and people to teach and heal. There was no time to waste on frivolities. No wonder Pope Paul VI wrote in his Apostolic Exhortation, ‘On Evangelizing in the Modern World’: “Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity.” The Church must evangelize if we are to keep our identity as Christians.

4.     Paul picked on this theme in the second reading: “If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it!” (1Cor. 9:16). Our Baptism imposed a duty and responsibility upon us to intentionally preach the gospel to everyone. In doing this, Paul reminds us to expect no reward but preach without compulsion. It is an obligation arising from the divine mandate: “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt. 28:19-20). Christ assures us of his presence while we carry out our mission. We do not necessarily have to preach the gospel in Church alone, but we can be more effective preachers by our way of life. We may be the living gospel for people to read and see by the way we relate, by our speech, by our charity, by the power of our examples and for standing up for the truth and defending same at all cost. We need no appreciation for the doing what is right. It is always right to do the right.

5.     In the first reading, Job is experiencing pains, sickness and deprivation through no fault of his, he had always done what was right. (Read the book of Job chapters 1 and 2). Job’s situation begs the question, why should good people suffer. In his pains Job reacted: “Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of a hireling? So, I have been assigned month of misery, and troubled nights have been told off for me. If in bed I say, “when shall I arise?” Then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.” (Job 7:1, 3-4). Don’t we feel this way when confronted with the trials of life either, in ourselves or those around us? Sometimes when our parents are incapacitated, or when someone we love, a spouse, a child or a parent becomes ill or dies. It could be when we are hurt mentally, physically, or emotionally. Like a broken marriage, a broken heart, or when betrayed or disappointed by those we loved or are let down by family or friends. When this happens, we feel like saying with Job, “My days are swifter than a waver’s shuttle; they come to an end with hope. I shall not see happiness again.” (Job 7:6-7).  And so how can we be missionary disciples, preachers of God’s word and love. We feel that we are so broken and therefore, we have nothing to offer ourselves or anyone. Yet in our brokenness, we must preach the gospel with our lives.

6.     St Pope John Paul II showed the whole world how to endure sickness and death by the way he accepted his pains and identified same with that of Christ. He was effective in his brokenness and became the wounded healer, who healed us through his sickness and death. For it is the wound of our Lord that heals and gives us the power to preach his gospel. St. Bernard tells us, “Through the wounds of Jesus I can taste and see the goodness of the Lord. It is there in the wounds of Jesus, that we are truly secure; there we encounter the boundless love of his heart.” Christ taught us the greatest lesson on forgiveness as he was dying on the cross when he forgave the penitent thief and prayed for his murderers: “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” (Lk. 23:24). Our pains and our brokenness should not prevent us from preaching the gospel but should make us effective ministers of God’s word.  Because Jesus took our infirmities and bore our diseases and by his wounds, we have been healed. It is our life of prayer that will keep us united with Jesus who is our strength even in time of sickness and pain. May we not be afraid of sharing the love of Jesus with those we meet even in our brokenness. God bless you. Amen.

 

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

 

Fr. Emmanuel Megwara, MSP - Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B - February 7, 2021

DATE : 7/2/2021, the Fifth Sunday of the Year (B)

 EVENT : Mass of the Sunday (Solemnity)

 COLOUR:Green

 READINGS : Job 7:1-4.6-7; Resp. Psalm. 147:1-2.3-4.5-6; 1Cor. 9:16-19.22-23; Mark 1:29-39.

 THEME:  FIND YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

    Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Fifth Sunday of the year, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Find Your Purpose In Life". Beloved in Christ, life is like a clock that continually ticks. Everyday that passes substract a cubit from your estimated life span. Every breath that you inhale and exhale makes your organs to age. Every decision that you make takes you closer or farther from your purpose in life. Every action you carry out either helps to fulfil or mar your purpose in life. Thus, like the popular Nigerian slang have it, "there is no time to waste at all". Hence, the best time to have begun to pursue your destiny is many years ago. The second best time is today, and now. However, how can one even pursue and fulfil his/her destiny, if they are not even aware of what their purpose in life is.

      During one of my counselling sessions with some young fellows in my parish, I asked them what they intend to become in life and what they intend to achieve in this life. Immediately I posed this question at the them, they all began to scratch their heads and to look at the ceiling. Then I realised that all the while, they have been merely existing and following the normal course of events in life (eating, schooling, sleeping, waking, playing, socialising, attending church, and doing menial jobs to sustain themselves). They have not really given a conscious thought to their lives and what their purpose is. No wonder, the Ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, rightly said, 'An unexamined life is not worth living'. Thus, life begins to take a new shade of meaning when we live for something we can die for.

      The first reading of today is taken from the historic account of Job's reflection on the meaning of life, and the purpose of our daily toils and suffering. The book of Job is probably the oldest literature in the Old Testament. It's language is a very archaic Hebrew, and it makes no mention of the Torah (the law), of the prophets or any reference to the patriarchs. Thus, it is believed to predates the Pentateuch, hence, written sometimes between 2100 and 1700 BC. The book is a reflection on the vanity of human toils, and the Sisyphean nature of human existence if not lived with a definite divine purpose. From Biblical exegesis, the portion of Job which we read today, falls within the wider context of Job 2:11-31:40, called 'Job's dialogues with his friends'. However, more precisely, the pericope of our text this Sunday, Job 7:1-4.6-7, falls within the immediate context of Job 7:1-21, called, 'Job's reply to Eliphaz'. Here, Job weighs the drudgery nature of life. Ruminating on the routine of daily, weekly, monthly and yearly life. He sees no purpose in a life of boring routines, more than leading to the grave. Thus, without the presence of God in a man's life, the human life becomes a meaningless struggle. Hence it is only God that can bestow a meaningful purpose to a person's life.

       This is very true, if we consider the words of St. Paul in the second reading of today, 1Cor. 9:16-19.22-23. According to Paul, God has bestowed a pleasant burden of purpose upon his life, and it is a responsibility incumbent on him to accomplish. For to fail in fulfilling this God given task, is to risk the reward of eternal life. Beloved, when you discover the burden of purpose that God has placed on you, I can assure you that nothing else will count as meaningful to you except to accomplish that which is given to you as a responsibility.  And no matter how difficult it is in the eyes of men, you will keep receiving grace to carry on and find happiness in doing it.

    Look at our model, Jesus, in the Gospel of today Mark 1:29-39. He knew the divine burden of purpose placed on him. He knew that his purpose is to it bring healing to the sick, to release those bound by demons, to restore sight to the blind, to free the oppressed, and to preach the Good News of God's salvation to all. Hence, he never relented, never got tired, never rested, never stopped. But hear what Scriptures recorded that he said, 'Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns, so that I can preach there too, because that is why I came.’ And he went all through Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out devils'. He knew his purpose in life and he lived it to the fullest.

     Beloved, Now I ask you, what is your purpose in this life? What divine plan is at work in your life? Can you point at any task that you are living for? Have you realised the responsibility which God bestowed on you? Do you think your presently life is meaningful to God and to men? If do die today, what unfinished business would you miss? I pray God will remove every Sisyphean struggles in our lives and put a meaningful striving in us.   

        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 find and purpose in life and give me the grace to live it out.....

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. ⛪

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B - February 7, 2021

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

Job 7:1-4,6-7

1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23

Mark 1:29-39

WE ALL HAVE A DUTY TO ALLEVIATE SUFFERING

Life as we all can testify, is full of ups and downs. One is happy now, and  the next moment one is crying. Sometimes we look at other people and think that things are going very well for them. The grass on the other side is not always as green and perfect as we think, until we get close to it.

In the first reading of today, we hear the story of Job which is a very popular one in the bible. Job had everything going well for him, but at a time, he lost everything and began to suffer. The chapter we read today reflects on the issue of human suffering. Everyday of our lives, we struggle to meet the basic needs of life. We work to be paid at the end of the month, we work and sweat in our own private establishments so as to have more from what life has to offer.

Though suffering is part of human nature, it is not the plan and will of God that we should suffer. This is why Jesus, as a human being during his time on earth, did everything possible to save many people from suffering. We see it very clearly in the gospel reading, how Jesus went about preaching and curing all those who were sick. We see how Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew and cured Simon's mother in law of her fever. That evening, all those who were suffering from one ailment or the other were all brought to him, and he cured them all.

St Paul in the second reading of today, makes us to understand that saving people from suffering is a collective effort of everyone. Many people are in a position to eradicate suffering, but they do not do so. Some people may not have experienced what it truly means to suffer. It is important that we sometimes experience darkness, so that we will appreciate light. We live in a society where evil thrives more in the midst of suffering. We seem not to have the care, love, compassion and mercy towards people anymore. We may think that we do not have anything to offer to alleviate the suffering of those around us, St Paul makes us to understand that everything has a contribution to make to make others happy. As a preacher of the word of God, Paul did so without asking for a pay. Indeed, true preachers of the word of God cannot be paid in material terms, we can only do our best to support them; their reward is more of a spiritual reward. To assist those who are suffering is not only about money or material things, not everyone has money to offer, one's gifts and talents can also be freely given. Jesus alleviated suffering by his healing ministry, and St Paul preached from place to place to make people know more about Jesus and be healed. Be a source of healing for someone today by contributing meaningfully to their lives. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Martin Eke, MSP - Homily for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary time Year B - February 7, 2021

 Homily of Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, 2021

 Job 7:1-4, 6-7; Psalm:1-6; 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39

 There was a belief among the Jews that suffering was punishment for sin and sinners. Jesus’ disciples revealed this belief when they asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2). The first reading is from the Book of Job. The book was a spiritual treatise written for the Jews to correct the wrong belief that suffering is punishment for sin and sinners. It is a story of an upright man, Job, who went through terrible suffering yet he remained faithful to God. The story teaches us not to conclude that suffering is punishment for sin and sinners, but to remain faithful to God during all trials and temptations as Job did. Job received double reward from God for his faithfulness. “The Lord even gave to Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10). The story, also, teaches that there is double reward for faithfulness. Many people lose their faith during trials and temptations, either by seeking ungodly solutions to their sufferings; or by getting angry with God and separating themselves from him.

 In the first reading Job lamented, “So I have been assigned months of misery, and troubled nights have been allotted to me. … I shall not see happiness again” (Job 7:3, 7). Many people, due to their distress, can identify with Job’s lamentation. It is helpful, also, to identify with Job’s faith. Job 13:1 says, “In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with wrong.” Rather, Job made a profession of faith, “Though he slay me, yet I will trust in him” (Job 13:15). Like Job, let us persevere, keep faith, and trust in God; and wait for double reward.

 St. Paul, in the second reading, addresses another kind of faithfulness; and that is faithful stewardship. He uses himself as an example, “If I preach the gospel, [there] is no reason for me to boast, … and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. …  [and] when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge …” “To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all …” (1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23). We are all called to imitate St. Paul’s faithfulness and perseverance in our  stewardship.

 The second reading brings to mind this piece by an unknown author:

 Some people have a job in the Church and others are invited or seek out for themselves a ministry in the Church.

If you are doing it just because no one else will, it is a job. If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it is a ministry.

If you quit because someone criticizes you, it is a job. If you remain in spite of someone’s remarks or opinion, it is a ministry.

If you will do it as long as it does not interfere with other activities, it is a job. If you are committed to staying, even if it means letting go of other activities, it is a ministry.

If you quit because no one thanked you or praised you, it is a job. If you stick to it, even though no one recognized your effort, it is a ministry.

It is hard to get excited about a job. It is impossible not to get excited about a ministry.

If your concern is success, it is a job. If your concern is faithfulness and service, it is a ministry.

If God calls you to a ministry, please do not treat it like a job.

 In today’s Gospel, Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law who had fever; and cured many who were sick with various diseases, and drove out many demons. Jesus did all the miracles as the result of the faith in him. “Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.” “When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons” (Mark 1:29-34). Here is faith in action.

  Let us, therefore, “immediately” tell Jesus about our “fever;” and “gather at [his] door” bringing all our illnesses and possessions for he is our savior and healer. May the words of today’s Psalm fulfill in our lives: “The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem, and gathers the dispersed of Israel, healing the brokenhearted, and binding up their wounds” (Psalm 147:2-3). Amen.

 Fr. Martin Eke, MSP