HOMILY FOR 2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER – YEAR B (DIVINE MERCY)
HOMILY FOR 2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER – YEAR B (DIVINE MERCY)
HOMILY THEME – The Syndrome: True worship is ONLY in the Heart-“UKA DI NA OBI
BY: Fr. Justus Oruma
(a) I usually find the Easter Messages panacea or cure to the exaggerated concept in the Igbo language; “Uka DI na Obi” (True worship is only in the Heart), exaggerated in the sense that some use the concept to play down on the need of PRESENCE in the Church/Worship and commitment to Faith and Common Good; they stay far off and pray on their own, and that suffices, no need going to Church or for community prayer. This syndrome gradually builds pride and selfishness. Note that The very first instruction of Jesus to His disciples after the resurrection was about gathering together as a group or as a congregation; “go and tell my brothers to gather in Galilee, THERE they will SEE Me” (Matt. 28:10). From this, the early Church has the tradition of gathering together, forming a group that is one in heart and soul (Acts 4:32) but Thomas failed this time, he was not physically present.
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(b) “United in one heart and soul” speaks about presence in its entirety and commitment to one another for common good. Man is present in his entirety in body and soul for man is complete and entire in body and soul. It is in this entire presence that we can know the needs and feel the pains of one another, build one Faith and love, have a common goal and work for a common good, assist one another, “bearing the burden of one another” (Gal. 6:2). So, will no body lack in the necessary good, unnecessary hardship is therefore alleviated. Let the early Church be our example in the Family, Church, and government. There we “see how good and pleasant it is when brothers live in unity” (Ps 133:1). If everyone plays the exaggerated “uka di na obi” everyone would be on his own (selfishness), everybody stands aloof, there would be no commitment, no unity in the Family, no government, no community, no Church, no Sacrament. The Exaggerated “Uka di na obi” is a threat to unity and common good. Willingness is important. Presence is very important too. Faith comes by hearing (Rom.10:7), seeing, touching- as did Thomas seeing and touching the wounds of Jesus and exclaimed, “My Lord and my God”. Be present!
(c) Had Thomas been present when Jesus visited the first time, he could not have doubted. Thus, his ABSENCE in the community or congregation was the ultimate cause of his doubt and the crisis of his Faith. Experience shows that those who doubt like Thomas and criticize unconstructively the Church and her Faith so much are the ones who usually do not go to Church, who are usually ABSENT in the Church and who have shown little or no commitment in the Church and Faith. Faith and common good is build as a community with presence and commitment, “with one heart and soul”. Be present in your Family, be present in the Church and community. Be committed to your Faith with others “with one heart and soul” for grace, common good and understanding. All the Sacraments of the Church are given in physical presence. The recipient of the Sacrament must be physically present. No sacrament is given in absentia. God loves it when we gather together to celebrate the Sacrament as the disciples did today. In gathering together “with one heart and soul” and commitment for the common good, we see Jesus. “where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst” (Matt. 18:20). This approves common good and dispels selfish interest. May His Divine Mercy keep us away from working for selfish-interests. At best we can say, “Uka SI na obi” – (True worship comes from the heart) and not “Uka DI na obi”. The later is a limitation.
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