Follow Jesus (HOMILY FOR SATURDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY

Homily for Saturday after Ash Wednesday 

Isaiah 58:9c-14; Ps.86; Luke 5:27-32

Theme: Follow Jesus

Jesus saw Levi the tax collector in today’s gospel reading and perceived his deep yearning for transformation and peace. Levi may have had the good things of life since tax collectors were generally well-t0-do at that time. But there was a vacuum that material acquisition could not fill. Anyone who had eyes were able to see Levi but only Jesus could perceived his true situation that was not apparent. But then, notice that Jesus could only help Levi when he (Levi) obeyed the command: “follow me”. If Levi had not followed Jesus, the consequent great feast in his house would not have happened.

Beloved, as Nigerians, we are presently in the situation of Levi. Maybe ours is even worse because our predicament is obvious and glaring. It is true that we are surviving but amidst so many troubles and uncertainties. Today, as we go to the polls to vote, let us listen to those words of Jesus: follow me. To follow Jesus means to walk in the right path; to cast our vote for the right persons; to vote in truth. If we do not vote according to right conscience today, it means that we have told the Lord that we do not want to follow Him. Not to follow the Lord is to embark on a journey that leads to nowhere; a journey of no return. It means to go wayward like the prodigal son.

While Jesus dined with Levi, the Pharisees and the Scribes came criticizing him for eating with sinners and tax collectors. They aimed at getting Jesus out of the midst of sinners. But they did not succeed. Since Levi has done his part by following Jesus, Jesus took it upon himself to answer every other critic. Similarly, as we go out to vote, we will some Pharisees and Scribes who would want to discourage us from voting the right persons for some nefarious reasons. Like Esau, we may be tempted not to see any big deal in selling our birthright for mere porridge.

Beloved, no amount of money is worth jeopardizing your future for. Just know that if you vote in misfit, you will also share in the sins of their bad leadership. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Do your part and leave the rest to God.

Have a blessed day