WEDNESDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

WEDNESDAY 19^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 9:1-7; 10:18-22

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 18:15-20

THEME: THOSE WHO GATHER IN HIS NAME WILL BE GIVEN THE MARK.

After seeing all that he saw in the first reading, it was obvious to him that it is only those who refute evils that will receive the mark of salvation and those who will receive the mark will be saved.

In the gospel, at the last sentence of it, it is stated, where two or more gather in my name, I will be with them. The church is the community of the people of God and people of God should be those who refute evil no matter the situation at hand. It is not easy to refute it but it is not impossible. The words of the last sentence of the gospel should be our consolation. If we really gather in his name, we shall be given the mark of salvation.

The problem is that some of us do not gather in his name rather we gather for something else. We place Jesus or his church as a refugee camp or even as a secondary saviour. When we must have given reverence to other gods then we will remember that he said he will be with us when we gather in his name. uka obuleka Jesu. A woman who worshiped Ugwube (A Deity) in my place. She got converted, but each time she is faced with danger she shouts Ugwube, she was asked to be using Jesus instead of Ugwube. So, when next something happened to her, she shouted Ugwube obuleka Jesu that is Ugwube! I mean Jesus. She remembers Jesus when she must have shouted Ugwube. We should not forget his name for what so ever reason. We should strive to make sure that we do gather in his name in truth so that the mark that will save us from eternal damnation will be given to us. No one who has no mark will be saved, we should always work to get the mark. Exodus account can be an example for us, the departure of the Israelites (Exodus 12:13). Thanks.

TUESDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

TUESDAY 19^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 2:8. 3:4

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 18:1-5. 10. 12-14

THEME: BE OPEN TO LIFE.

Ezekiel had not known what the scroll was before eating it, he ate it and noticed that it was as sweet as honey. Uwa bu ahia akpa. He was open to face what will come out of it and the result was very good.

In the gospel, Christ asks us to be like children who are always very much open to change in life. They do not have a rigid way of life that deprives them opportunity to change. Change in a child is always built on humility. If a child is humble, that child can adjust in any situation that he/she finds him/herself. But an arrogant child will like to maintain one even when it is causing more harm than good.

If we are humble, we will welcome changes in our situations. A lady was married to a family, her behaviour was not all that welcomed there, so she started adjusting to fit in into the family system for she knew that that will only solve the problem. It was born out of humility. If it were to be a proud one, she would have asked them to take her behaviour or leave it. We must learn how to be humble like children in order to accept situations and adjust to situations that come to us. Do not be too rigid or watertight. Be liberal to a reasonable extent. Pope Francis is a liberal Pope and we are benefiting from it. One who is not open will find it difficult to cope with life. C.P Varkey (SJ) said, “Accept what you cannot change and change what you can change”. And this can only be achieved by being open to life. Thanks.

MONDAY 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

MONDAY 19^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: EZEKIEL 1:2-5. 24-28C

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 17:22-27

THEME: MAINTAIN YOUR DIGNITY.

Sometimes we fight over our rights and at the end loose that right entirely. It is better to maintain our dignity than to stupidly fight over our rights. A man was on the high way with his motorcycle, he was on his right. Suddenly a car that wanted to overtake another car started taking or following or plying the man’s right and the man insisted that he will not run. The car hit him. As he was being taken to the hospital, he was busy shouting, I was on my right! That was no more counting that time for he was the one suffering it. After two days, he died. It is not that we should keep quiet when our right is being played upon but if the approach will not yield positive result, we should redress.

In the first reading in order for God to maintain his glory, he showed his glory to Ezekiel in a way that was very complicated. When Ezekiel saw it, he fell on the ground because it was much for him. We are expected to have some reservations for ourselves. We are not to be open to the extent that we cannot hold water, control ourselves again. Surprise people from time to time with positive things. When one provokes you in your own right, try not to act in an outrageous manner. Just give the person a serious surprise like one of my school mates did one day. We were in the refectory in the morning for breakfast. His classmate consciously poured him dirty water to know what he will do. To our utmost surprise, he just laughed and kept quit. Another of his classmate met him and asked him, are you keeping quiet? He told him, if I make noise or fight with him, will it change anything? He said that that was just the end of the whole thing. In the afternoon, that his classmate bought a bottle of drink to beg him and that ended the whole thing. Had it been they fought, their dignities would have gone but they maintained their dignities especially the victim.

In the gospel, if Peter were told beforehand that Jesus will pay the tax, he would not have believed it. It was Jesus’ right not to pay but in order not to cause trouble that will reduce his dignity, he sent Peter to go and pay the tax. In order to avoid quarrels, fights, hatred and so on, learn how to swallow some certain things. Obu ka ahuchatacha mere mgbo jiri tuo enwe n’ isi. That will give you more respect and it will add feathers to your cap of dignity. Thanks.

SATURDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

SATURDAY 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: HABAKKUK 1:12-. 2:4

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 17:14-20

THEME: MANAGE SILENCE VERY WELL.

In Igbo, we normally say, Onye gbara nkiti kwere ekwe but not in all cases. In some issues we have to keep silence not that we have accepted that but to think or that the place or the thing is not the best place or rightful place or thing to react.

In the first reading, Prophet Habakkuk is asking us, why are we keeping quiet when a wicked man is oppressing the poor and good man? If we keep quiet, we are part of the crime. We have to rebuke him in other to save the good and poor man.

In the gospel, when Jesus told his disciples men of little faith, they kept quiet till they got inside the house and they asked him in private to explain more. This is just the same with the Igbo adage that says, “Obu ichupu egbe, I gwa nwa okuko n’ onapuka. When you chase the kite away, you tell the chick that it wanders too much.

The first reading and the gospel are teaching us how to approach issues in life. When we see evil, we should not keep quiet and the gospel is teaching us how to react to many of them. When we see evil, we should be able to know the best way to follow it. Is it to keep quiet and attack it latter or to attack it now and keep quiet latter? Sometimes when things got hard for Jesus, he withdrew to the mountain and when he comes out, he addressed those challenging issues. When John the Baptist was killed, people were expecting him to talk but he withdrew into the mountain and when he came out again to face the realities, Hero said that John the Baptist was raised from the dead. When we notice that talking or acting will bring more harm, we should withdraw and look for another way but not to abandon it entirely. We must stand for justice but in a mild way. We must know how to manage issues and situations. When to keep quiet (silence) and when to take actions. Thanks.

FRIDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

FRIDAY 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: NAHUM 1:15; 2:2; 3:1-3. 6-7

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 16:24-28

THEME: GARBAGE IN GARBAGE OUT.

It is only in God that our lives is saved. Outside him, we are nothing. The first reading puts two ways of reward for us to see. On the feet of the mountain of those who bring good things and who proclaim peace, there we shall keep our feast. This calls us to always bring good things and proclaim peace always for the rest of the reading tells us what will happen to those who will not fulfill that. There will even be no one to morn them. Which means no hope.

In the gospel, Jesus is also warning us on how we should live our lives in other to get him as our reward. If any man will follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24). Again, what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and loose his soul (Mark 8:36). All these are determined by what we put in through our actions. The son of man is to come with his angels to repay each man according to his deeds (Matthew16:27). Here brought the theme to a bare ground.

What maybe your reward, my reward when the son of man comes? Will it be losing our lives or gaining eternal life? Will it be holding our lives and leaving the cross of Christ? This induction is conditional anyway, we can choose to or not but we will be repaid according to what we have put in. once you want to make it in life, you must carry Christ’s cross. That cross will fetch you and I a good reward when he comes to reward each man according to his deeds. Thanks.

THURSDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

THURSDAY 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 31:31-34

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 16:13-23

THEME: THE NEW COVENANT IS IN US.

God promised in the first reading to make a new covenant with his people and this covenant will not be like the first that needed people to be interpreting them to people rather, the spirit will write them in men’s hearts. It is the same spirit of the father that revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God that writes the covenant. We all know what is good and what is bad and that is part of the covenant. We all know that Christ died for us and that also is part of the covenant, it is the main covenant. How are we now responding to the callings of the covenant in our hearts? All these preaching, sermon, homilies, reflections and many others that we here and see all the time are not to tell us what we have not known before but to remind us of what we have known and to awaken them (if they are sleeping) in our hearts. Since you know the will of God, act according to it and you will be saved (Acts 16:31). The covenant was sealed in our hearts with the blood of Christ. Peter thought like men when he was yet to receive the Holy Spirit that awakened the covenant in him. We have received the Holy Spirit, so let us live out the covenant that is in our hearts. Thanks.

WEDNESDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

WEDNESDAY 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 31:1-7

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 15:21-28

THEME: PERSISTENCE IS A VIRTUE.

I was travelling from Nsukka to Enugu one day. I entered pick and drop bus. At a point where it dropped to pick more persons, a boy came to me to buy pear from him. I told him that I did not need it. He continued persuading me to buy it. I ignored him but to my greatest surprise, he did not go. At a point, I had to save myself that embracement and bought the pear from him. I bought that pear not because I needed it but because he persisted.

In the first reading, God said that all that will survive the tribulations will enjoy his goodness. He is also telling us today that if we persist in following him, despite all the troubles of the world that he will bless us.

We can see the practical persistence in the gospel. Persistence working and walking. Persistence personified. The woman despite that Jesus called her and her daughter dogs, she used one Igbo adage as a consolation, “Onyeocha kpoo mu ewu ma ya kwuo mu ugwuo mu”. Jesus can call her anything provided she gets what she was looking for.

We sing regularly “Mmiri mara mu ebe mu n’ eso Jesu” but we do not live it out. There is always a reward that follows those who persisted till the end. “The one who will remain steadfast will be given the unfading crown of glory” (1Peter 5:4). Let us ask God to give us the grace to be persistent in good things despite the situations we may find ourselves. Thanks.

TUESDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

TUESDAY 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 30:1-2. 12-15. 18-22.

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 14:22-36

THEME: DO NOT DOUBT, HAVE FAITH.

I have come to realize that the major problem we have on earth is the lack of faith in God. That people do this bad thing and the other may be the lack of faith in God. The Israelites lost faith in God and started going the wrong way that God got angry with them. God is also today promising them and us his mercy and redemption. The problem now is, do we have faith to accept it? That many temptations win us today is on the basis of lack of faith. Peter filled with faith walked on the water but as soon as he lost faith and focus, he started sinking. All those who touched his garment with faith were healed. Where is your faith and my faith? We have faith in the Lord but just like Peter, when a little challenge comes, we fall off.

A man who was born and brought up in the Catholic Church was faced with an illness. At a point, the illness refused to be healed. People were telling him that this is no longer a thing of prayer and meditation. He should look for a diviner (Dibia). Oria agbaro aka. Refusing for sometimes, at last he yielded to their suggestions. After all said and done, the diviner could not also heal him. He died in the sickness despite what the diviner did. Had he known, he would have not involved himself in that. Have faith in God and he will visit you in due time. Thanks.

MONDAY 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

MONDAY 18^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 28:1-17

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 14:12-21

THEME: TEST THE SPIRIT.

There are many spirits working in the world now. Many people are now claiming to be called to the service of the Lord. How do we know these false ones? They have sweet and convincing mouths that it is very difficult for us to know the difference. How can we tell the one sent by God?

This appeared in the first reading where Hannaniah appeared as a prophet sent by God to his people. He told them what they wanted to hear and they were happy. Is it not the same with what is happening today in our own world? These days they tell us what we want to hear and we will clap and jump for them and follow them.

The words of the prophet can never favour everyone, it must pain some. Jeremiah knowing that Hannaniah was lying reminded them of the already existed true prophets but they ignored that because they have heard what they wanted to hear. We will be told the stand of the church and God from time immemorial but because the present person is telling us what we want to hear, we will abandon God and the church and follow the person.

The gospel is showing us the type of prophet we should follow. We should follow one who has compassion for his people. Instead of asking the people to get him what to eat and drink and sow seeds for all those he healed, he rather fed them from what he and his apostles had. The church and God are calling us today to test if the spirit is taking from us the little we have or is it giving us what we do not have. Test every spirit before you believe in it (1John 4:1). Thanks.

SATURDAY 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. By Tobe Eze

SATURDAY 17^TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B.

1^ST READING: JEREMIAH 26:11-16. 24

GOSPEL: MATTHEW 14:1-12

THEME: REMAIN IN TRUTH, THE APOINTED TIME IS NEAR.

Like in the responsorial Psalm, “At an acceptable time, O Lord answer me”. At the accepted time, the Lord answered Jeremiah and saved him from the hands of those who wanted to kill him.

At the acceptable time, the Lord answered the whole world by sending John the Baptist to prepare his ways for him. When John completed his works, he used his blood to wash the way for the Messiah to come and take over.

A story goes thus. A son of a certain man died. His best friend came and as he was consoling him, he told him that if this one did not happen, greater one may have happened. That man that his son died said in his heart that that his friend has hand in the death of his son. After the burial and funeral. He called that his best friend to thank him and his family for their support during burial and funeral. After cooking everything for the family, he poisoned the food to kill the whole family for he thought the man was responsible for the death of his son. When the family came, as they were about to pray and eat the food, a man ran inside there and told the family that their first son who was to graduate that year had accident and died at that spot. The man as usual said, if this did not happen, greater one would have happened he left with his family without eating that poisoned food. At that point, it became clear to that wicked man that his friend was innocent. If John the Baptism did not die, what would have happened?

Sometimes many bad things happen to us and we start to question God and his existence. It maybe that the Lord is waiting for the appointed time to do it for us. Jeremiah thought that that was his last time but God rescued him. Herod and Herodias thought that killing John will end the truth but that was the beginning of it. Herod out of fear said that Jesus was John, that he has been raised from the dead to life again. God’s ways are not our ways, he has plans of better things for us. John said he will decrease so that Jesus will increase (John 3:30), it was not just mere saying, it is also applied to us today. We suffer in other to increase. Let all that we pass through do not take us away from the truth (Romans 8:32). We were, we are and we will continue to be more than conqueror if we remain in him. Thanks.