Homily For Monday Third Week of Lent Year A, 13th March, 2023

Readings: 2 Kings 5:1-15; Ps. 42; Luke 4:24-30

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

HOW THE DEVIL THROUGH PRIDE AND JEALOUSY DISTRACT US FROM OBTAINING GOD’S BLESSINGS

 

One of the forces that drives the world order today is pride. People can do anything to prove how powerful, influential, popular, wealthy and connected they are before everyone they encounter.

 

Hence, at any little provocation, you see them ranting: "I will show you today who am I", "by the time I finish with you, you will come to know me". I will do this, I will do that... just to prove who they parade themselves to be. Everywhere they go, they want to be highly recognized and do “eye service” by looking down on every other person. This ugly attitude is what the devil certainly wants us to have, so that we end up distancing ourselves from God.

 

The devil does not want us to be saved, and he would tempt us to be arrogant, jealous and prideful as we have in our first reading today in the story of Naaman the Syrian, who went to the land of Israel seeking for healing from the leprosy he had been suffering from. But when Naaman sought the prophet Elisha, he was told to wash himself at the River Jordan seven times, and he would be healed. But he refused out of pride.

 

This was exactly how the devil tried to prevent Naaman from finding healing, not just from leprosy but also from his sinfulness and lack of faith, by placing pride, ego and stubbornness in his heart. It was at this point that, Naaman’s servant reminded him to be humble and accept the conditions in order for him to be healed since it was a very easy thing for him to do. In the end, Naaman obeyed, humbling himself in obedience to God and was healed.

 

In the same way in our Gospel passage today, the people of Nazareth refused to listen to Jesus or believe in him because they stubbornly persisted in believing that what they had known earlier about Jesus as the Son of a mere carpenter shows that he could not have attained such power, authority and wisdom.

 

Their prejudices and ego prevented them from having faith as they hardened their hearts and minds against God. As such, the Lord could not do much in their midst, and in the end, making reference to the events of Naaman and the widow of Zarephath, he left his hometown because of their pride and lack of faith.

 

Dear friends, pride is the first capital sin, so, do not let the devil through pride and jealousy distract you from obtaining God’s blessings. For we are called today to renounce pride and embrace the courage of humility. We must entrust ourselves humbly to the Lord, because only in this way will we be able to become docile instruments in his hands and allow him to do great things through us and  in our lives.

 

LET US PRAY: Lord God, oftentimes we have failed to humble ourselves, because of pride and this has deprived us of your blessings. As we listen to your words today, may we learn to humble ourselves and so obtain your blessings and favours. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed and favourable week.