Be not an evil generation (HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF LENT

Homily for Wednesday of the 1st week of Lent 

Jonah 3:1-10; Ps.51; Luke 11:29-32

Theme: Be not an evil generation

No good teacher examines the students on matters he/she has not taught the students. Examination makes sense only after some period of teaching. In the same vein, God will not judge us without first making us understand that we have sinned and giving us amply opportunity to repent. Condemnation comes not just to those who sinned but those who remained obstinate in sin, while refusing God’s mercy. Thus, the existence is hell is reconcilable with God’s desire for the salvation of all men.

In the first reading, God sent Jonah to make known to the people of Nineveh that they have sinned against their God. Jonah also spelt out the consequences of their sins. Interestingly, the people of Nineveh did not deny their iniquities; they did not try to justify their evil deeds; they did not call Jonah a fake prophet or a worse sinner; they did not say: “we will think about what you have said”. They did not even try to play the blame game. If they had done any of the above, they would not have gotten to the point of repentance. Any of the above mentality will proof repentance unnecessary. Instead, they all admitted their faults and sought the mercy of God.

The reverse was the case with the crowds in the gospel reading of today. Usually when the people gather around Jesus, He will first teach before working any miracle. The teaching was to make known the mind of God and help the people realize how they must do the will of God. Now, the crowds that gathered around Jesus were not interested in the teaching aspect of Jesus’ ministry. They were only concerned with miracles. So, they were not dispose to hearing how they have offended God, not to talk of being moved to repentance.

Sometimes, we find ourselves in the situation of the crowds. In our relationship with God, we are only or mostly concerned about what God should do for us, without assessing our moral standing with the Lord. It is as if we want to merely use the Lord without having a loving relationship with Him. No one likes to be used; but everyone wants to be loved. So, if loving the Lord is not our aim, we stand the risk of being an evil generation when we come to him for favours only.

Beloved, lent is an opportunity to stop being evil in our approach to God. This means that we need to allow the Word of God purge us of our iniquities. Like the people of Nineveh, we must humbly admit our faults and sincerely seek God’s mercy. The psalmist assures us that the Lord does not spurn a broken and humbled heart.