YEAR II: HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 6TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)

YEAR II: HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 6TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: ACTIVE VS DEAD FAITH!

BY: Fr. Ben Agbo

HOMILY: * Js 2 : 14 – 26, Mk 8 : 34 – 9 : 1.

Nigeria would have been a different country if half of our Christian population had an active faith. But unfortunately many of our Christians, especially our leaders have a dead faith ; a faith in God without good works. Inspite of our number, it makes us operate like rolling stones gathering no morse. St James argues in today’s 1st reading that a faith without good works is dead. Active faith should be accompanied by good works like in the case of Abraham whose faith in God made him prepared to sacrifice his only son in obedience.

The gospel makes it succinctly clear that it is sacrifice that punctuates our faith. Self denial is the prerequisite mark of true discipleship. Anybody who would be a Christian must be prepared to sacrifice his/ her money, time, pleasures, children, wife, etc. Whoever is ashamed of identifying with the Word of God cannot call him/herself a Christian. Martyrdom is the highest display of faith. Because the early Christians were prepared to die for their faith, they could not be intimidated by the powers that be. Tertulian had to affirm that ‘the blood of martyrs is the seedbed of Christianity’. If today, Christians are not ready to die for their faith ; if our bishops and priests are afraid of persecution and will not speak truth to power ; if our Christian politicians and members of the judiciary would not stand firm on the part of truth, if partisan politics continue to becloud our vision and make us live on lies ; then Islamization and Fulanization are knocking on our door.

May God bless you today!