HOMILY FOR THE 4TH WEDNESDAY IN LENT — YEAR A

HOMILY FOR THE 4TH WEDNESDAY IN LENT — YEAR A

HOMILY THEME: MOTIVATION

BY: Fr. Paul Karabari 

1 Peter 4:7-11; Ps.96:1-10; Luke 5: 1-11

“I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgement is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

Nothing can deter any human being with a clear purpose. A life driven by a divine plan can never be shaken by millions of unjust condemnations. However, it is one thing to be motivated by a goal but entirely a different thing to be motivated by the right purpose. In the Gospel of today (John 5:17-30), the actions of Jesus provoke the ire of religious leaders who question what motivates him to do what he does.

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In this passage, Jesus defends his actions and, in one sentence, highlights his motivation for what he does and what inspires his every thought, step, and action. He says, ‘His Father’s Will.’ In other words, because the Father is at work on the Sabbath, so also the Son must be at work on the Sabbath. Sabbath must not be devoid of work of compassion and love. We go to church without being transformed. Sabbath and good works should go together. His motivation is never power, authority, wealth, position, or status. He simply wants to bring succour, healing, and show compassion for the hurting and rejected regardless of the day of the week. God the Father gives us life every day. He works every second. Jesus has a map within the Father’s will. He is following that.

What exactly motivates us in life? It is possible to be so holy that on our way to church on a Sunday, we can never accept into our car a woman soaked by rain. A dangerous form of spirituality is certainly one created by self-motivated elements outside Christ’s. Jesus aligns himself with the Father.

We know that doing good in the world is part of being a Christian. When we are in tune with God, that love and joy naturally spill out into actions that make a difference to the people around us. Of course, sometimes that means that people see us doing those good deeds, and we do not think that Jesus would be mad at us if people happen to notice us living like him. It’s less about who sees what, and more to do with motive. Look at how Jesus talks about the Pharisees. He says that ‘everything they do is done for people to see’ (Matthew 23:5), and goes on to call them ‘whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean’ (Matthew 23:27). That is pretty clear, then. It is never the deeds on the outside that are a problem. It is the heart and the motive within. We never necessarily have to go to undercover-agent lengths to hide or deny our good deeds, but we do have to make sure that they are done with a humble and prayerful heart. If we ensure that our motivation is glory for God, not for ourselves, we will be on the right track. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God purify our intentions, bless and protect us through Christ Our Lord Amen. Good morning.

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