HOMILY FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B (7)

HOMILY FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: REDEMPTION, ABSOLUTE GIFT

BY: Fr Joseph Nyarko Asare

HOMILY:

(2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23/Ps 137/Eph 2:4-10/Jn 3:14-21)

Israel failed to heed to warnings from God through his prophets. They sinned continually until they lost the protection of God. As a result, Israel was conquered, humiliated and led to captivity. There, they couldn’t remobilize themselves to fight back for liberation. If they have tried, they would have been crushed and completely destroyed.

Israel needed a Divine intervention. Like the time of Moses, Israel needed someone from outside to join, lead and ensure their deliverance. From his greatest generosity, God stepped into the chaotic situation in a shocking manner. An offshoot of their enemy became the bearer of the liberating news. Cyrus, the Persian king, declared liberation and the rebuilding of the Temple of God in Jerusalem.

From the sin of our first parents, human beings became more powerless than Israel in Babylon. We needed a saviour and there seemed to be no way out. When it was as if we were condemned without a remedy, God stepped into the scene to offer a cure.

God loved us and saved us by donating his only begotten Son. With Jesus in the scene, a great light has been provided for humanity. Ours is to believe, i.e., decide to turn to the light and remain there. A choice not to accept Jesus and his word is self destruction and self condemnation. You do not deserve that fate.

PRAYER POINTS
~Thanksgiving to God for the gift of the Most High
~For the heart to open up to the light of Christ
~That we will lead others to the loving Lord

(Rev Fr Joseph Nyarko Asare of the Catholic Diocese of Obuasi)