SERMON/HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT 20TH FEBRUARY 2024

SERMON/HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT  20TH FEBRUARY 2024

Isaiah 55:10-11; Ps.34; Matt.6:7-15

By the Word of God…

The first reading of today contains God’s promise on the viability of His Word. The Word of God is not mere spoken words but retains its capacity to bring into being that which never existed as it was at the time of creation. It is very insightful that the scriptures opened with the tenacity of God’s Word – how the Word was used in creation. The next time man was to be “recreated” through redemption, the Word took flesh, dwelt amongst men and surely brought about man’s salvation. When the Word was to physically depart the world, it promised its ever abiding presence through the Holy Spirit. This promised was fulfilled at Pentecost and continues to be fulfilled even in our time. We dare not also forget that Jesus himself choose a profound way to substantially remain with us in the Holy Eucharist. So in the Eucharist, the Word becomes our food for eternal life.

In sum, we were created through the Word, redeemed by the Word, daily nourished and sanctified by the Word and will eventually be saved by the Word. This calls for a deep familiarization with the Word. But the Word does not save us without our cooperation. Our cooperation begins with knowing the Word, then living by it. The Word is simply God’s provision for humanity. So ignorance of the Word means ignorance of what God has done, is doing and will do for humanity. Such ignorance can draw us into faithlessness whereby we feel that God is not there for us; simply because we do not understand what is happening to and around us.

The season of lent is a time to renew our commitment to God’s Word. The bible enjoys divine inspiration to the extent that there is nothing we are experiencing in life that is not addressed by/in God’s Word. Each time we are tempted by the seemingly prosperity of the unrighteous, the Word says something about that; when we feel that we are being tempted beyond our strength, God’s Word is on that. When we feel too sinful to attract God’s mercy, God’s Word captures that too. When we are weighted down by basic needs and the precarious situation around us, God’s Word addressed that. Even when we say to ourselves that there is no God, we are well attended to in the bible.

So, in as much as God’s does not work with human expectations, His Word assures us that He is love, He is justice, He is peace. Just recently, someone remarked that given the present economic situation of the nation, you may not find anyone encouraging another; everyone is struggling to encourage themselves to survive. At such moment, we realize that the Word that created, redeemed, nourishes and can save us, is the best and most reliable companion we can have. The Word has proven to be a friend in need, which makes a friend indeed. Beloved, use this season of grace to recommit yourself to the Word. Be rest assured that by the Word of God, your complaints shall be turned into testimonies! How this will happen, you may not know; but know that the God who promised this, does not have the capacity to fail.