HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (2)

HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: THE HEALING POWER OF JESUS

BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu

HOMILY:

“And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.” Mark 1:34.

Sing: Anywhere he went, he was doing good, almighty healer, he is our helper, when the cripple saw him, they started walking; anywhere he went, my Lord was doing good, he was doing good.

In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus gave his manifesto for humanity in the following words: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Jesus did not simply come to die for us, he also came that we may have life fully even while on our pilgrimage to heaven. In John 10:10, Jesus sums up the devil’s intention for mankind by juxtaposing it with his mission for humanity: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

It is not the will of God that we should live “half-lives,” it is God’s will that we should live in health both physically and spiritually. This is the message in all the healing miracles of Jesus in the Gospels. This should boost our faith when we approach God in prayer for healing.

Bear in mind that even as Jesus was going about healing people and casting out demons, he would not even permit the demons to speak. Jesus would not allow them tell the world that God is in their midst. Jesus was clearly against cheap popularity and pride which has virtually become the hallmark of today’s healing ministers.

We may have the gift of healing but we must be careful to avoid our followers from turning us into gods as they did with Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14:8-12. Now at Lystra there was … a cripple from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and walked. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes.

It is unfortunate how many ministers have been made gods by Christians today and they seem to enjoy it and even capitalize on it. Check the necks of many Christians today, they are wearing the pictures of these popular ministers. It seems as though wearing the picture of Jesus and Mary by Catholics is idolatry while wearing the picture of the general overseer is considered as a means of attracting blessings to oneself. What a pity!

Another lesson we learn from Jesus today is the act of spending time alone with God. “And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed…” We must create time to be alone with God in other to hear his voice just like Samuel in our first reading today. God speaks to us when we make ourselves available to him body, mind and soul.

The next time you visit the Blessed Sacrament or find yourself in a quiet place for prayer, recall this story of Samuel, free your mind from all forms of distractions (thoughts, worries, fears, anxieties etc.), try to be fully present and let your whole being just focus on God. You will surely hear from God. The more we spend time alone with God everyday like Jesus, the richer our spiritual life becomes and the more powerful we become.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, strengthen my prayer life. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Wednesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Samuel 3:1-20 and Mark 1:29-39).