HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR 24TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR 24TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: MAN CAN’T CHANGE GOD

BY: Fr. Paul Karabari

Isaiah 50: 5-9, Ps. 116, James 2: 14-18, Mark 8:27-35

‘But who you say that I am?’

At various times and at different stages of our growth, we have been taught and told who God is. It is expected that our relationship with Him would be built on such a knowledge. However, it does appear that every individual has conceived who God should be in their life and not necessarily who He really is. In the Gospel passage (Mark 8:27-35), we see Peter moving between Who Jesus really is and who he wanted Him to be. This is a critical matter of faith, and it represents our own perception. It is our own story. We create the god we desire. A god that suits our cultural and religious beliefs and expectations. We even have ‘denominational gods’. We have the ‘God of Chosen’, the ‘God of Fr Peter’, the ‘God of Miracle Ministry’, etc. These are gods that tackle realities differently.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR 24TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

Jesus asked an important question: Who do people say the Son of Man is?” There were answers according to their different perceptions. He turned to the twelve with the same question. Peter answered correctly with the help of a Divine Spirit. Jesus went ahead to explain His mission and destiny, and Peter brought out the pre-conceived idea of who Jesus should be; an idea that already gained cultural, socio-religious supports. Such a Jewish theological view that even had the approval of Satan; a Christ that must avoid the cross. When the devil takes hold of the belief system of a people, freedom may become an illusion. Because only God liberates.

Most times, our search for God is a search for the god we have created and boxed up with our expectations, and not the true God who exists in Himself and by Himself. In other words, we have our expectations and feel that ‘Our God’ must be a God that meets these expectations. If it doesn’t, then we continue with the search. People change church not because God has changed or no longer God. No. They change church because the god they created, like Peter in the second part of the Gospel, doesn’t meet their expectations.

We impose our will on God. And each time we do that, we are creating a room for the Devil to use us. Ideally, we shouldn’t try to use God, God should use us rather. But so many of us use God. Peter cleverly wanted to use Jesus to meet his own Jewish expectations. But God had already designed the mission of the Son to suit His purpose. He wasn’t going to be a warlord with a sword in His hand. He was going to be a Servant-Saviour. In fact, He was going to be well-equipped with pain and suffering, humiliation, and rejection; an obvious disdain to short-cut people. We have to know that the presence of pain doesn’t necessarily exclude the presence of God. Thus, the suffering-servant in the First Reading (Isaiah 50:5-9a) consistently reminded himself of the God who helped him even in the face of shame.

By taking Peter and his brothers to the region and city built about 1100 feet above the sea level that harboured the temple to other gods before He asked such an important question, Jesus challenged them to know the difference between the true God and other gods, between who He really is and who they had conceived Him to be.

Knowledge provides access to hidden things. What is not known is hidden. What is known comes to light. We may be introduced to the way of God. However, it is the Spirit of God that gives us deeper knowledge of God. What we know should be in agreement with our heart condition of faith. We must grow our faith with action. Peter almost created a gap, and that was a room for the evil one. We make ourselves vulnerable when we desire faith that is convenient as against the advise St James in the Second Reading (James: 14-1 8). That is a dangerous form of spirituality. The devil likes such a short-cut.

Here, we must understand that our common enemy is the evil one. It is not Peter, not James, not Ngozi, nor Francis. It is Satan. You would expect Jesus to say to Peter, ‘Stop following me if Satan can use you.’ But He identified and separated him from what had used him. We must always be on alert against the ancient foe who moves everywhere looking for the ruin of souls. The devil is our enemy, not our brothers and sisters. Do not be counting many enemies. Know how it works and be at peace with one another.

We can only overcome when we have a firm foundation set on a deep relationship with God. And this can not be borrowed. It is a personal decision, a deliberate effort, an act of the will. We can end up making choices that leave us in bad places spiritually and emotionally if we don’t have a good relationship with God. A good relationship gives us insight into the workings of God around us.

Whatever that is behind you can not stop you. It is what is in front of you that causes obstruction. Whatever that is not of God in our lives shouldn’t be ahead of us. It should be behind us. Jesus should take the lead in our hearts and lives. We shouldn’t run ahead. Let us allow Him to lead us. No matter what you do, there are things that will always be outside your control. Such things are only controlled by God. Have faith, build a relationship with God, and let His will be done, not your own will. You won’t live a happy life if you want to control God’s will or impose yours on Him. What is designed by God is designed by God. However you think or feel about it, it is absolutely irrelevant. To key into His plan is the sure path to happiness and fulfilment. Man can’t change God. GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy on us, heal our world, bless and protect us all through Christ, our Lord Amen. Happy Celebration

FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>

Dear friends in Christ, Your support for the past 12years has kept us going. We ask you to support us with your donations to enable us to upset our “annual bills”. Our priests are willing to offer Holy Masses for your Private Intentions. May you Click on “Next”, or the “Donate” button to get started. God bless you!!!