Homily For Saturday Fifth Week of Lent Year A, 1st April, 2023. (Happy New Month)

Readings: Ezek.37:21-28; Ps. Jer.31; John 11:45-57

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

STOP PLOTTING PEOPLE’S DOWNFALL BECAUSE GOD CAN TURNE IT INTO A STEPPING STONE FOR THEIR VICTORY

 

Oftentimes, we do things without knowing or understanding the full meaning of what we are doing. Because sometimes we feel or think that we can change God’s plan by frustrating the effects of others, but later to discover that we are unknowingly fulfilling the plan of God for them.. This is evident in our Gospel passage today, where we heard how the Jewish authorities were filled with rage on account of the news of the resurrection of Lazarus which increased the popularity of Jesus. So they convoked a council to discern how to get rid of him.

 

For them, this man works many signs and people are now believing in him, if we let him go on this way everybody will believe in him and the Romans will come and suppress the Holy Place and their nation. They were jealous and afraid not just of the Romans but also for the possibly of losing the temple and even their privileged position as priests. Thus, Caiaphas being the high priest, decided that it is better that one man should die for the people, than the whole nation should perish. Though being the high priest, he did not just speak, but unknowingly, was prophesying that Jesus have to die to save humanity from sin and death.

 

Dear friends, have you ever planned the downfall of someone and your plans turned out to become a stepping stones for their victory? This happens because  our actions and attitudes are often like that of the Jewish authorities. For we condemn people out of jealousy and unnecessary fear we feel because of what God is doing through them. Sometimes , we feel threatened and intimidated by people’s good deeds and blessings, because we don’t see the need to appreciate them or see the hands of God in what they are doing.

 

This is very bad and should not be see among us. The truth is that, God has a plan for everyone. God’s plan for Jesus is to save humanity, which he had promised through prophet Ezekiel as we heard him in our first reading today saying: “I shall rescue them from all the betrayals they have been guilty of; I shall cleanse them; they shall be my people and I will be their God”.

 

This no doubt is what this season of Lent is all about, calling us to prepare ourselves well to celebrate the upcoming mysteries of the Holy Week, by embracing it with openness to God’s mercy and a renewed faith and obedience to God’s will. Let us all spend some time to reflect on how we can enter into the most sacred time of this season, so that we may truly  have a personal experience of God’s presence so as to grow more spiritually and be ever closer to God our Father.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, you promised to guard us as a shepherd guards his flock, to turn our mourning into joy and to give gladness for grief. May this Holy Season of Lent remind us again of your loving mercy for humanity especially on the ugly situations of sickness, poverty, greed, corruption and sins that are  ravaging our families, societies and the world at large. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a grace filled Month.