Homily for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 16th August 2026

Readings: Is. 56:1.6-7; Ps. 67; Rom. 11:13-15.29-32; Matt. 15:21-28

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia

GREAT FAITH CAN BE SEEN IN OUR ACTIONS AND ACCEPTANCE OF OUR HUMBLE BACKGROUND

Most people in our society today, hardly accept who they are. Some people spend all their resources and energy trying to convince others of what or who they are, even when they are not, to seek recognition and approval. Some even go as far as changing their identity, just for the sake of belonging to a particular class or to obtain favour or job opportunities. This is not the case with the Canaanite woman in our Gospel passage today, who, when she approached Jesus pleading for the restoration of her daughter, was not granted it immediately because of her humble background.

For Jesus said to her ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’ But the woman persisted, kneeling at his feet saying. ‘Lord help me.’ Jesus replied, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.’ And from that moment her daughter was well again.

From this little story, it is clear that the woman was not going to give up, but kept pleading, even from her Canaanite background, to the point of Jesus recognising her great faith. The irony of this passage is that, in Israel, Jesus was trying to convince people that he was the Messiah, as he was challenged to prove it with a sign. But here in the Gentile territory, he met a woman who was convinced he was the Messiah, and he could not discourage her efforts.

For this apparent attempt to put her off was just a test, in which her great faith was confirmed by the acceptance of her humble background. Some people suggested that Jesus had been a racist and this woman changed him, but that’s not the case here, because Jesus was actually in the Gentile territory of Tyre and Sidon which are the two main Phoenician cities better known as Canaanite tribes, which is an amalgamation of different groups of people known as the Canaanites living in the land of Canaan.

Therefore, we can understand better why the woman accepted the place of a “dog” as a Gentile in relation to Israelites being the chosen children of God, to whom the message and grace of the Messiah came first. Hence she accepted that she may not be able to sit down at the Messiah’s table and eat with the “children,” but she should be allowed to pick up some of the crumbs of unmerited mercy and grace of God for the sake of her daughter.

In this dramatic gesture, she demonstrated her submission to the historical privilege of Israel as the chosen people of God over the Gentiles, as she wishes to partake of the grace that is freely given to the Gentiles, which the Jews have rejected.

This was one of the backgrounds behind Paul’s missionary journey when he turned to Gentiles because the Jews have rejected the message of Jesus as the Messiah. Just as we heard him saying in our second reading today, “I have been sent to the pagans as their apostle, and I am proud of being sent, but the purpose of it is to make my own people envious of you, and in this way save some of them. Since their rejection meant the reconciliation of the world, do you know what their admission will mean? Nothing less than a resurrection from the dead! For God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.

Therefore we have to change from being disobedient to God, and now enjoy mercy because of our disobedience, so that those who are disobedient now, are so only because of the mercy shown to you, of which they will also enjoy mercy eventually if turned back to God. For God has imprisoned all men in their own disobedience only to show mercy to all humanity”.

Therefore, the event in the story of the Canaanite woman in our Gospel passage today can be interpreted as part of the development of redemptive history, moving from the event of the Old Testament towards the missionary activities of the New Testament, of which God through the prophet Isaiah in our first reading today, made us understand this development.

This is clear when he said: “foreigners who have attached themselves to the Lord, to serve him and to love his name and be his servants, all who observe the Sabbath, not profaning it, and cling to my covenant, these I will bring to my holy mountain. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their holocausts and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples”.

 This concept truly describes the Christian understanding of the relationship between the Gentiles and Jews, and the Church as universal, that is, open to all who wish to embrace God’s kingdom. Even though the kingdom had to be fully offered first to the Jews, in fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecies of the kingdom. However, since they have rejected it, it has to be made open to all.

That is why Jesus went into Gentile territory and did this miracle for this Gentile woman in a dramatic way that is different from the other miracles in the Jewish territory, which also shows the willingness of the Gentiles to embrace the faith. And in this woman, Jesus affirms that there are Gentiles who had greater faith than the Jews who were rejecting and challenging his teachings. Hence, this passage teaches us about God’s grace that he offers to all humanity and the faith of the people who are willing to embrace his salvation.

Dear friends, we must stop wasting valuable time trying to prove who we are not; let us first, in faith, humble ourselves and accept who we are; then work hard to improve who we want to be in relation to our faith in God. Let our faith in God help us to accept our present condition in order to look forward to who we will be in the future.

For when we accept who we are, God brings out the best in us and places us where we truly belong. So, whatever we want to do, let us have faith in God and in ourselves, and be determined, because faith, determination, sacrifice and persistence are the secrets of any success in life.

Therefore, tell yourself today that you can get that which you desire; when you plan for it and work persistently for it, you will begin to see a different face in the things you do. The truth is that people are rewarded in public for things they do for years in private. So, let us learn from the Canaanite woman who accepted who she was and was determined with faith to achieve her dream through humility and persistence.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the Canaanite woman accepted her humble background with great faith in your Son Jesus. As we humbly make a leap of faith today, with determination, sacrifice and persistence towards our dreams in life, may you grant our hearts' desires. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed Sunday.

Homily for Saturday, Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A. 15th August, 2026. Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 

Readings: Rev. 11:19;12:1-6.10, Ps. 45, 1Cor. 15:20-27, Luke 1:39-56

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING THE REALITY OF LIFE AND DEATH THROUGH THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY

Following the ugly events we hear and experience in our world today, especially the killings, hatred, betrayals, greed, and social and economic injustice all over the world, there is this constant fear of what becomes of us when we die. Where are we going when we die? Is death the end of life? Is there another life after death?

The answer to these questions is found in today’s solemnity: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The solemnity where we celebrate the mystery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, body and soul, into heaven. An event which shows the triumph of life over death and good over evil.

For since Christ’s divine body did not undergo corruption, it follows that his mother’s body, which forever contains a cell component of his Divinity would not be allowed to experience corruption, but would be taken into heaven and be reunited with Christ. For as we know, a particle of God is God's entirety. And the Psalmist says: that you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your Holy one know decay (Ps. 16.10).

Thus, on 1 November, 1950, Pope Pius XII proclaimed as Dogma that the Virgin Mary “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”. This truth of faith as known by Tradition, was affirmed by the Fathers of the Church, and was an important aspect in the veneration of the Mother of Christ. This Dogma appears as an act of praise and exaltation of God’s grace in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It also emerges for the honour of her Son Jesus and for the joy and exultation of the entire Church.

Little wonder, our readings today help us to understand better this mystery. For in our first reading we heard of the revelation of the victorious power of God, who through a woman has overcome the evil that threatened to destroy humanity. Telling us that the salvation, victory, power and the kingdom have now been won for us by our God, for the authority of his Christ has come.

And St. Paul, in our second reading, made us know that Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of all who have fallen asleep. For death came through one man and in the same way the resurrection of the dead has come through one man. Just as all men die in Adam, so all men will be brought to life in Christ.

Meanwhile, in our Gospel passage, we heard Mary’s glorification of God’s power and victory, for God through Christ has remembered his mercy for humanity as he had promised to Abraham and all his descendants forever.

Therefore, through this, Mary’s Assumption into Heaven, we understand better that even though our daily lives may be marked by trials, persecutions and difficulties, our death is not the end, but the entrance into life that knows no death, for we are made to share in God’s Heavenly Kingdom.

So, the Assumption reminds us that Mary’s life, like that of every Christian, is a journey of following, following Jesus, a journey that has a very precise destination, a future already marked out, for our complete victory over sin and death, for us to be in full communion with God.

Dear friends, how can this solemnity of the Assumption of Mary help us on our journey towards our heavenly kingdom? How has this solemnity helped us to answer the question about life after death? What message is God passing to us in this solemnity?

In this solemnity of the Assumption, we find the message of faith and hope: that in God there is room for humanity, God is humanity’s true home, and in us there is also room for God. Hence, Pope Benedict XVI says that one thing is certain, that is, our hope in God: that God expects us, God waits for us, we do not go out into a void, we are expected, God is expecting us.

God is expecting humanity, for as we pass to the other side of life, we will find the goodness of our Blessed Mother; we will find our loved ones; we will find eternal Love, Christ our Saviour. For he is waiting for us, since we are made to share in his glory. And this is our greatest joy and the great hope that is born from this solemnity.

This reality makes us victorious over death and the evil of this world. Therefore, we should not be afraid, for God has made us victorious over sin and death to share in Christ's glory. Let us then entrust our Christian journey to Mary's Motherly intercession since she is the consolation and hope of the people still on this journey of faith.

LET US PRAY. Heavenly Father, we thank you for knowing how fragile our lives are in this passing world, so you gave us the message of faith and hope through the mystery of the Assumption of Mary. As we celebrate this mystery, may we be filled with the joy of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful weekend.

Homily for Friday, Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year A, 14th August 2026. The Memorial of St Maximilian Kolbe

Readings: Ezekiel 16:1-15.60-63, Is. 12:2-6, Matt. 19:3-12

Fr. Emmanuel Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING GOD’S REAL INTENTION ABOUT MARRIAGE AND CELIBACY.

The idea of secularism and individualism in our society today has placed in the minds of the youth a distorted image of what marriage and family life entail and truly represent in society. This is because many young people today find themselves in a state of radical instability and seek guidance to help them answer the fundamental questions of life. Today, there are different notions and understandings of marriage, especially among the youths.

Marriage among today's youths is often a matter of choice and contract, which is suitable only when it serves their personal interests. Marriage is seen as a business which anybody can engage in or disengage from at any time. Commitment, sacrifice and partnerships for a whole life are far from their understanding of what marriage truly represents. The fact remains that Marriage is the basis of every human family and indeed the basic cell of every community.

Little wonder, in our Gospel passage today, when the Pharisees engaged Jesus on the notion of divorce in marriage and its controversy. Jesus referred them to the fundamental principle of marriage when he said, Have you not read that the Creator from the beginning made them male and female and that he said: This is why a man must leave father and mother, and cling to his wife, and the two become one body? They are no longer two, therefore, but one body. So then, what God has united, man must not divide.’

Addressing the issue of divorce, Jesus said ‘It was because you were so unteachable that’s why Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not like this from the beginning. Now I say this to you: the man who divorces his wife, except for unchastity, marries another, is guilty of adultery. And he who marries a divorced wife commits adultery.

 Here Jesus emphasised the real intention of God about marriage and celibacy, that they are two forms of life that help us to value human sexuality as a gift from God. He ruled out divorce by placing men and women on the same level; no longer could a man opt to divorce his wife, except for extreme unchastity. Today there are lots of problems in families due to a lack of understanding of what marriage truly means.

It is quite interesting to realise that social, economic and political factors were major determinants that shape the youth’s present understanding of marriage, as we see the youths giving importance to changing trends in marriage such as: single parent, inter-caste marriage, living in relationship or cohabitation, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender marriages, etc. Hence, marriage for them is more of a social phenomenon than a spiritual union and physical companionship.

Meanwhile, today the prophet Ezekiel in our first reading reminds us that right from conception God gave us life; at birth, he protected us; then we were stark naked, he spread the corner of his cloak over us to cover our nakedness. Now we are old enough for love; he showed us love and adorned us with beauty, ornaments, silver and gold and then he made a covenant with us to be our Groom and we, his lovely bride.

But we abandoned and divorced him by trusting in our own beauty and gifts which he has given us and using them to play harlot and lavished our harlotry on things of this passing world that take us away from God’s purpose for us. Yet God still remembers the covenant he made with us, he is not ashamed to forgive us. All he wants is for us to come back to him now that we are still alive, for he is a merciful and faithful husband who loves us, his bride.

Dear friends, today we are called to embrace the will of God and his teaching concerning family life and the issue of divorce. We should not let the trending ideas of disordered personalities in our world mislead us. Rather, we should value and respect the sanctity of marriage. We should hold on to the true meaning of marriage, which has to do with love, commitment, trust, sacrifice and partnership for a whole lifetime.

So, let us learn from the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe, whose memorial we celebrate today, for he heroically offered his life in place of another man who had been selected for execution, seeing how the man was filled with despair over the welfare of his wife and children. Maximilian, being a priest, chose to die in place of this man so that he could be united once again with his family. What a great lesson and example for us to value the gift of love that God has given to humanity in the sacramental union of marriage.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we have always failed to listen to and follow your teaching; as a result, there are lots of problems in our families due to a lack of understanding of what marriage truly means. As we listen to your teaching today, help us to value our vocation, whether marriage or a celibate life, and to constantly struggle to fix the problems in our families. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.

Homily for Thursday Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 13th August, 2026

Readings: Ezekiel 12:1-12, Ps.78, Matt. 18:21-19:1

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

WHY WE MUST LEARN TO FORGIVE PEOPLE UNCONDITIONALLY FROM OUR HEARTS

In the Gospel of Matthew 6:12, we have the prayer our Lord Jesus gave us as a pattern of all prayers and as a fundamental principle of Christian life. In this prayer, there is a portion that points out something so important. This portion says, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespassed against us. ”

By this prayer, we are making a covenant and commitment that will be a standard by which we are going to be judged as regards our relationship with others and with God. But oftentimes we are not conscious of these principles, especially when we have to face the difficult moment of forgiving a grievous offence.

Thus, Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus, being conscious of this fact, asked Jesus in our Gospel passage today, saying: ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy times seven.

And he illustrated his answer with an example of a servant who owed his master a great debt that he and his generation cannot pay. But when he pleaded for mercy, the master forgave him all the debts. However, this same servant found a fellow servant who owed him as little as one hundred denarii, he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him and even when he pleaded for mercy, instead of forgiving him, he put him in prison according to the norms of the law until he had paid his debt.

This unforgiving servant did to his fellow servant what the master could have done to him, but did not. When the master heard how he treated his fellow servant, he said to him: “You wicked servant! I have forgiven you all your debt because you appealed to me. Were you not bound then to have pity on your fellow-servant just as I had pity on you? And, angry, the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debts.”

Jesus then said, this is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.’ For God will apply the principle he has given us in our Lord’s Prayer, which will automatically put us where we properly belong based on how we have related with others.

In this story, we see the extreme estimate of the debt the servant owed his master: ten thousand talents. Even if he and his family had to work their whole life, they would never have been able to pay that debt. Because a denarius is a day's wage for a common workingman. While a talent is 6,000 denarii, or 20 years of daily wages. That means he would need to work 6,000 days to earn one talent and we are talking about ten thousand talents.

So, that’s a huge amount compared to the hundred denarii his fellow servant owed him; in fact, there was no comparison between the two debtors at all. However, this will expose to us the ugly attitude of unforgiveness and also help us to understand that our debt before God is so huge and countless that we cannot be able to pay it.

Dear friends, we must learn to forgive people, but having experienced the infinite mercy of God, how are we dealing with our unforgiving attitude? Are there people we have vowed not to forgive? Have people hurt us so much that we can’t forgive them? Have we offended people and cannot be humble enough to ask for their forgiveness? Do we think that our sins are so huge for God to forgive? Are we finding it difficult to forgive those who have offended us?

There is no doubt that forgiving a grievous offence can be very difficult, but when this is done, it is like recovering a lost treasure that contains: joy, peace, freedom and healing. And today Jesus is asking us to learn how to forgive others always and unconditionally from our hearts, so that God will also forgive us always and unconditionally.

For we heard the Lord in our first reading today saying through the prophet Ezekiel: Son of man, you are living with that set of rebels who have eyes and never see, ears and never hear, for they are a set of rebels; they will surely go into exile, into banishment.

Therefore, we must never refuse to forgive or reject an offer of reconciliation in our relationship with God and with our fellow human beings and if this becomes difficult, bring it to Jesus in prayer as you contemplate his patience, humility and mercy.

LET US PRAY: Almighty God, today you have made us realise how unlimited your mercy is, as you exposed how huge our debts are in comparison with the little debts of forgiveness others owe us. As we make it a habit to forgive, from the debt of our hearts,to all those who have offended us, may we experience the hidden treasures that forgiveness brings. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a grace-filled day.

Homily for Wednesday Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 12th August, 2026

 

Readings: Ezekiel 9:1-7;10:18-22, Ps.113, Matt. 18:15-20

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Onyia.

UNDERSTANDING THE RIGHT PATH TOWARDS FRATERNAL CORRECTION AND RECOLLECTION

As humans, we are not perfect because of our contingent nature, so we are likely to offend one another in any relationship we find ourselves in. As a result of this, one of the major challenges we face in most relationships today is the ability to properly correct and reconcile with one another, especially when one is straying from the norms set up for the good of the relationship.

In our Gospel passage today Jesus gave us the practical steps we need to follow to correct and reconcile with one another to build a stronger relationship when he said, ‘If your brother does something wrong, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the Church as a community; and if he refuses to listen to the Church, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.

Here, Jesus calls for fraternal correction in any relationship we find ourselves in, for we are responsible for one another, and these steps and stages give room for reconciliation. This fraternal correction must always be inspired by real charity which is one of the spiritual works of mercy. However, this is never an easy task, especially when one has to bear the sacrifice of forgiveness because forgiving a very grievous offence is one of the most difficult things to do.

However, forgiving a grievous offence is like recovering a lost treasure that contains: joy, peace, freedom, a healthy mind and healing. But how often do we seek to recover this lost treasure in our lives caused by unforgiveness? Hence, Jesus today calls us to persistently seek reconciliation until we gain our brothers and sisters back whenever they have offended us.

If they refuse to be reconciled, we should pray for their conversion, for that is how Jesus taught us to treat the pagans, the tax collectors and sinners. For in all our proceedings, we should seek direction in prayer, knowing that God manifests his mercy when he transforms people and leads them to conversion, as he changes us and turns us from selfish and rebellious individuals into truly loving persons.

Dear friends, it is our duty, obligation and responsibility to ensure in a fraternal charity that our fellow brothers and sisters, friends and neighbours, colleagues and collaborators are corrected and guided whenever they are in need or go astray. Every one of us has the responsibility to strengthen our relationship and be a good example for one another as we work the path towards our salvation.

This is exactly what the vision of the prophet Ezekiel in our first reading is addressing, for Ezekiel saw what happened when the glory of God departed from the Temple and the city, because of the sins of the people which brought about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple of God by the Babylonians, as seen by Ezekiel who was then in exile in Babylon. However, God, through this vision, showed how his grace and mercy will be made present among the people who embrace his call for repentance, reconciliation and fraternal correction.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are rebellious and proud people; we lack the courage and disposition to accept corrections; help us to correct one another in fraternal charity as we also learn to accept corrections when corrected. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a favourable day.

Homily for Tuesday Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 11th August, 2026. The Memorial of St Clare of Assisi

 

Readings: Ezekiel 2:8-3:4, Ps.119, Matt. 18:1-5.10.12-14

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

TRUE GREATNESS IS FOUND IN THE HUMILITY OF LITTLE CHILDREN

Human life and activities are always competitive and comparative in nature; that is why we are often anxious to recognise or be recognised as the strongest, wisest, cleverest, richest. We will always want to know the most beautiful, the most handsome, the most talented, and the greatest in virtually everything. Little wonder, the most lucrative business and adventures are found among those activities that are competitive, such as sports, entertainment and politics, because greatness gives more ego to our status.

This competitive and comparative way of life is what the disciples of Jesus displayed in our Gospel passage today, when they asked Jesus, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? For they were curious to know which one of them. But Jesus showed them the way to identify greatness and one who has such a quality by offering them two strong images: that of the humble child and a dependent sheep.

Here, Jesus surprised his disciples by linking true greatness to that of humility and simplicity of little children and also showed how children can be the subject of a parable that reveals the vanity and deception found in some great persons. Because children are docile, humble, teachable, loving, forgiven and dependent.

Thus, Jesus explains that in the kingdom of heaven, true greatness is found in humility, and children serve as a symbol of humility, as they are dependent on adults for everything, just as we also are dependent on God. Little children serve as a concrete symbol of the simplicity which is a condition for entering the kingdom of heaven. So, in children we find these great virtues of simplicity and humility. Hence, parents should encourage their children to participate in activities where they display these virtues.

Meanwhile, in the parable about the lost sheep, Jesus presents to us the images of a dependent sheep and a caring and loving shepherd who searches for the wandering sheep. For he invites us to embrace true greatness in humble service to others, especially the weak and the vulnerable, as we imitate God who never abandons anyone even the lost "sinners".

This is exactly what the prophet Ezekiel demonstrated to his people who were lost as they rebelled against God and needed to be brought back to God as we have it in our first reading today, where the Lord made him great by offering him the scroll to eat and then said Son of man, go to the House of Israel and tell them what I have said.’

This is similar to that of St. Clare of Assisi, whose memorial we celebrate today. She was a woman of great faith and humility, who was known for her great piety, love for God and humble service to the poor. And together with other women dedicated themselves to God’s service through prayer and holiness as they founded the religious order of the Poor Clares, as a group inspired by the life of St. Francis of Assisi.

Dear friends, let us learn to be humble like little children even in the midst of our competitive and comparative nature. For today we are reminded that true greatness is found in humility and in humble service to others. But this is exactly what many of us are lacking. Because most of us are so proud, greedy, and selfish, as we are deeply attached to the pleasurable things of this passing world

This, of course, prevents us from seeking true greatness that leads to the heavenly kingdom. And as a result, many of us are lost sheep, but Jesus, the good shepherd, is searching for us and guiding us on the path towards reconciliation and redemption, so that we may find the path towards the salvation God has offered to all humanity.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are lost, for we are so much engrossed with the competitive activities of this world, seeking to be great in things that are passing away, grant that, we may embrace true greatness rooted in the humble service of our neighbours, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you. 

Homily for Monday Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 10th August, 2026. Feast of St. Lawrence

 

Readings: 2 Cor. 9:6-10, Ps.112, John 12:24-26

Fr. Rev. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

HOW TO YIELD A RICH HARVEST OF HEAVENLY THINGS

The way people are so engrossed with acquiring the things of this passing world at the detriment of things that edify the soul makes me wonder if we are actually learning anything from the lives of those who have passed away from this world.

Have we taken time to reflect on where all of us and the beautiful things of this world will be in the next ten, twenty, forty, eighty and hundred years for those who are strong? I believe the answer to this question will leave a deep silence in our souls as it exposes the foolishness of human greed and selfishness.

Little wonder that Jesus, in our Gospel passage today, tells us that unless a wheat grain falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Here, Jesus is telling us that the only way to save our lives is by total detachment from the things of this passing world. We must sacrifice the pleasurable things of this world for the sake of the heavenly kingdom because they are not going to follow us when the time comes for us to leave this world. For attachment to things of this world is a distraction from the things of heaven. But when a soul dies to the things of this passing world, it yields a rich harvest of heavenly things.

Therefore, what are the things I value so much that need to die for me to live more fully in Christ? Because, like a wheat grain, we must sacrifice by dying to the things of this world to yield fruit that will sustain us for eternity. Hence, we need to ask ourselves today, what does God require from us in this world? Why are we in this world, and where are we going from this world?

Dear friends, all the Lord wants from us is to serve him, to love him and to love our neighbours as well. And Jesus says in our Gospel, If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. For if anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.

This is exactly what St. Lawrence, whose memorial we celebrate today, did. Lawrence was one of the deacons of Rome and, as such, was greatly involved in the many important decisions and works in the very heart of the Church in Rome. During the persecution, St. Lawrence was confronted by the Roman prefect, acting on behalf of Emperor Valerian, who demanded that he surrender all the properties and material wealth of the Church.

Lawrence assembled before the Emperor all the poor, the infirm, the sick and the destitute and presented all of them before the Roman prefect as the true property and wealth of the Church. Then, the Emperor was filled with anger; he ordered that Lawrence should be arrested, imprisoned, and eventually martyred by being roasted alive on a gridiron, which was made even hotter by the anger of the prefects.

As they were burning him, he joked and asked his torturers to turn him over since he was "done" enough on that side. The deacon cheerfully offered himself to the Lord Jesus. Tradition has it that most people in Rome became Christian as a result of the faithful life and the death of this one humble deacon, who let the seed of his life die to yield a rich Heavenly harvest.

Today the life of St. Lawrence is a great encouragement to us, calling us to the sacrificial life of love for God, the poor and the Church. And St. Paul, in our first reading today, tells us about the great rewards awaiting all those who had been generous in giving and loving the poor and the needy.

For the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide us with all the seed we need and make the harvest of our good deeds a larger one, just like St. Lawrence, who showed us a great example by his great generosity, love, and genuine concern for the poor and the Church.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, Today, we saw in St. Lawrence a great example of how to live, and how to die faithfully to the Gospel. As we reflect on his life, may we come to love you more and strive to detach ourselves from the negative influence of pleasurable things in this passing world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a blessed week.