31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C By Tobe Eze

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

FIRST READING
Wisdom 11:22—12:2

SECOND READING
2 Thessalonians 1:11—2:2

GOSPEL
Luke 19:1—10

THEME: REPENTANCE AND EFFORT

Today’s readings are pointing towards chances God gives his children to repent and come back to him And to see our efforts in life. In the first reading, God gives teaches us how to live our lives. He shows example how we should treat our so called enemies. Through our sins we are automatically enemies of God but he still gives us chances to come back to him. HOW MANY TIMES DO WE GIVE OUR ENEMIES CHANCE TO COME BACK TO US? It continues to be, pay back is not sin. In Igbo, onye mere onye mere ya na obughi njo. In Christianity and Christ's teaching, paying back evil with evil is sin. In the gospel Zaccheaus who was dwarf both physical and spiritual made effort which in turn made him very tall spiritually. From Zaccheaus we should know that heaven helps those who help themselves. He made effort, what is expected of us now is our efforts. If God enters your house (your heart) salvation will not leave their again. Effort is too necessary in our lives. A STORY: Emperor Akbar was in the habit of putting riddles and puzzles to his courtiers. He often asked questions which were strange and witty. It took much wisdom to answer these questions.
Once he asked a very strange question. The courtiers were dumb folded by his question.
Akbar glanced at his courtiers. As he looked, one by one the heads began to hang low in search of an answer. It was at this moment that Birbal entered the courtyard. Birbal who knew the nature of the emperor quickly grasped the situation and asked, "May I know the question so that I can try for an answer". Continue Reading

Akbar said, "How many crows are there in this city?"
Without even a moment's thought, Birbal replied "There are fifty thousand five hundred and eighty nine crows, my lord".
"How can you be so sure? asked Akbar.
Birbal said, "Make you men count, My lord. If you find more crows it means some have come to visit their relatives here. If you find less number of crows it means some have gone to visit their relatives elsewhere".
Akbar was pleased very much by Birbal's wit.
MORAL : A witty answer will serve its purpose. Others did not even try making effort, but you have seen the out come of effort. MAKE EFFORT AND GOD WILL SUPPORT YOU. THANKS AND HAPPY SUNDAY.

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