Homily For Monday Fourth Week of Lent Year B, 11th March, 2024

Readings: Is.65:17-21 , Ps. 30, John 4:43-54

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

GOD HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON US

 

The ugly situation in our world today, may seem to most people that God has abandoned his people. It may seem as if the Church is not doing enough for its people. It may seem as if our governments and scientists have failed. But the fact remains that God is ever and always closer to us than we can ever imagine. He has always desired that we pay attention to his teaching and directives through his Church, the scientists and those of our leaders who are making sincere efforts to ensure the good of the people.

 

But the questions we need to ask ourselves are: do we really listen and hear God speaking to us through the daily activities we experience? Do we still see the hands of God in what we do? Are we really convinced of what we do with the gift of knowledge, skills and talents God has given us? Do we pay attention to the word of God we hear every day in the house of God, on the streets and through other means of communication? Perhaps we are the ones who have abandoned God and now we are confused and afraid as a result of this ugly situation that is ravaging the world.

 

Dear friends, no matter how we feel about the situation we are passing through today, we are called not to give up on God or his Church or the human agents through whom his help comes to us, for God has not given up on his people. We all need to have our ears opened so that we can hear and understand fully the message God is communicating to humanity through the ugly situations we are passing through today.

 

For God is saying to us, fear not, come back to me, have courage for the storms will soon be over. And if you turn back to me with all your heart, I will restore your land, no more will the sound of weeping or the sound of cries be heard, no more will be found the infant living a few days only, or the old man not living to the end of his days as we have it in our first reading today. And in the Gospel Jesus says to the court official: “Go home, your son will live” and the man believed him and went home. By the time he got home, his son was healed.

 

Therefore, we must have faith in God and sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him, give thanks to his Holy name. For his anger lasts a moment; his favour all through life. At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn. Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. Our world He will redeem from the ravage of corruption, greed, pride, selfishness, sin and shame.

 

LET US PRAY Lord God, you are the source of all that is good, as we listen to your words today, may you grant our hearts desires so that we may obtain the Joy of your presence in order to build our faith strongly firm in your words. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful week ahead.