Want Success??? Stick a Covenant Behind it

What wouldn’t we do if we knew for certain that we couldn’t fail? Anything! Often we get that stirring in our hearts to change something, to take a step, to talk to a stranger, to challenge an unjust rule, to go for a persistent dream. Yet we stay stuck in our tracks because of the uncertainty of how the journey will be; uncertainty of the repercussions of our actions. Our instinct for self-preservation creates inertia unto self-depreciation. Yes the fear of the unknown is real! Jesus was brutally murdered, so too were John the Baptist and Paul the apostle. Doing that deep stirring of the Holy Spirit in our hearts has risks; especially the risk of failure, mockery and death.

Jesus has good news for us! Jesus brought us the Holy Spirit and demonstrated by his life that though there is Good Friday, the Spirit raises you to glory on Easter Sunday and establishes a lasting legacy. Your reward is with God, you need not scheme for it. Imagine, over 2000 years down the road and still talking about John and Paul. Churches and congregations, publishing houses and institutions of learning are built in their name. This is not just for religious missions, every one who has lived out their unique dream or talent has created a legacy that outlived their existence.

  A notable person is Martin Luther King  with a national feast on Jan 20th. He had only one assurance for courage beyond fears or doubt in his ability. He said “I just want to do God’s will! I have been to the mountain top and I have looked over, and I have seen the promised land. I may not enter there with you … but we as a people will get to the promised land.” It happened!!! Obama is president of the USA because this man dared to live out his dream! Thanks to Coretta Scott King, his dream partner and wife, his legacy thrives. MLK was sure of his connection with God the Father, finisher of all works, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. This is a testimony we can rely on! King didn't wait for resources, the Spirit gave him resourcefulness; King didn't wait for crowds, the Spirit gave him family; King didn’t think of the right time, the Spirit he was connected to is timeless! What about you? Will you decide to do that stirring in your heart?

In our confirmation, Jesus baptized us with the Holy Spirit, who has probably been dormant in you because you are still to engage Her power. Every sacrament is an oath of allegiance, a covenant. The Sacraments of initiation win us the right to back our dreams with our covenant. To say “God I will do your will that you ask of me, I will go for my dream and live my talents; activate my covenant with you and show me the way.” So you are ready for success? Stick your confirmation behind your dream and witness the courage to take that first step in faith, which earns a legacy and shouts “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.”

DISCOVERY: ONE CAN THINK ONESELF A BELIEVER YET GET ONE’S PRIORITY WRONG

Catholic Readings: 18^th Sunday of Ordinary Time C

“Give my share of the family inheritance!” Whose share of the Christian inheritance are you holding? When you &I became Christian, we were clothed with Jesus Christ and imbued with the Charismatic Spirit for the growth of the Church and the transformation of human society towards an existence that is truly mutually happy. You & I inherited faith to pass on; gifts to serve others; for some, great success and riches for the common good; for others, travel and exposure to bring others out of ignorance; to some, abilities to flourish your spouse; to others children in whom to multiply talents of generosity and bear fruits of goodness and mercy; What did you do with our common Christian inheritance? Hoard it? Deprive others? Or share it and build others?

I choose to interpret the gospel today that, Jesus refused to intervene civilly and become a judge but He called to the conscience of the man’s brother who was probably in the crowd, warning him that coveting all the family property and leaving his sibling with nothing will only lead to his ruin. Jewish law prescribed that the elder son take two shares while the rest was shared equally among all the other children Dt 21:17 Beloved we cannot continue to claim the name Christian or say we are followers of Jesus and then speak and live in ways that ruin others. We cannot shut our ears to the cry of those who are hurting, sit in the comfort of our homes and pretend it does not concern us.

Solomon says if what concerns us is labour for our own comfort only, it ends in vanity.  Each time we ignore or cause the suffering of another, we refuse to acknowledge their being in the image and likeness of Godde.  We may pretend to hide behind defending divine laws and divine ways. We may even pretend that we punish others in love so that they should change their ways and join our own way, but that attitude will only lead to death. Who set you as the Judge? Jesus says.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta says when we judge people we have no time to love them. Only love fulfils the law.  It is possible to worship our interpretation of “Godde’s law” rather than worship Godde. Even good things can be turned into idols because we fear losing our security should it be otherwise.

Beloved there is no lasting security in being a firstborn, no lasting security in being male, no lasting security in being rich, no lasting security in being heterosexual, no lasting security in being married, no lasting security in being educated, there is no lasting security in being chosen by Godde. The only lasting security is Christ and the new self of being a person for others, every other, no distinction.

Jesus is Godde who turns us back from sin and mortality to happiness and immortality; Jesus is our dwelling place, Godde who has proved a sure refuge from generation to generation, Jesus is the one in whom the work of our hands bears fruit for eternity, Jesus is the one who justifies, glorifies and sanctifies every person who trusts in Him irrespective of who or what they are.

Beloved the Christian who still covets the human dignity, the peace, or the inheritance of another is headed for eternal death. May the Lord this day reveal to us the shortness of our life that we may be wise and set our priorities right; May the Lord this day remove our veil of ignorance that we may know what really pleases Godde; May the Lord increase our faith that we may have no fear to share the good things of the earth with one another; that our lives may testify that in every age the Lord is our refuge. Be blessed as you make the necessary changes that the Holy Spirit inspires within you. Amen.

DISCOVERY: IMPORTUNATE PRAYER IS GRACE TO MOVE MOUNTAINS

Catholic Sunday Readings : 17^th Sunday Year C
Jesus wasn’t bluffing when He said that He came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. To fulfil His word He gave us one commandment, just one precious key LOVE GODDE and LOVE NEIGHBOUR. Do this and you will have life to the full. Yet today many of us experience powerlessness to make our lives happy and powerlessness to touch the lives of those around us with goodness. Beloved whether you like it or not you need Money to be Christian to yourself and to others; you need Money to be able to LOVE GODDE and LOVE NEIGHBOUR. Scripture says in Ecclesiastes 10:19 “Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything”. Have no Money and Mountains stand in the way of your abundant life. A lot of sins and debts come from the lack of money. What is the Mountain that is blocking your way today? What is the mountain that is keeping your pocket and your bank account empty? What is the mountain that puts your honour of identifying and living as Christian at stake today before others? Name it! Name it! Name it!

Money is useful but it makes a false god! 30 pieces of silver brought a cross for Jesus, but Jesus turned the cross into our salvation, our provision and our satisfaction. Beloved in our second reading Paul says your baptism, infant or adult, connected you to this power of the cross; Your baptism connected you to the Holy Spirit, the power of Godde to raise you up so you can stand over mountains; Your baptism empowers you to call Godde, Father; to call Godde, Mother and connect to all the parental love, bread, wine and wealth that you need to be a true Christian to others in need.
 
‘I am baptised’, you may say, ‘so how come mountains still block my way’? Beloved, because you do not know how to pray! Admit it! Admit it! Admit it to Jesus! Lord, teach me how to pray! If you knew how to pray we wouldn’t be having this discussion, we would just be singing praises of thanksgiving for answered prayer. If you knew how to pray you wouldn’t be looking for TB Joshua and other prophets and prophetesses to work miracles for you when the Holy Spirit is dwelling in your bones; If you knew how to pray you wouldn’t be obsessed with getting money when you have the Trinity with whom comes every good thing; If you knew how to pray you wouldn’t be anxious and worried, having ulcers, gastritis, crisis, high blood pressure, confusion, indecision, weeping, sulking, complaining, blaming, scapegoating, fear of difference, hating, for whatever need you ask you would be given, whenever you seek, you will find and as you knock the door will be opened! So admit it, you and I more often than not, do not know how to pray!

Say it with me; “Lord, teach us to pray!” I am tired of living a half-life, “Lord! Teach us to pray,” I am tired of feeling miserable for myself & for my future “Lord! Teach us to pray!” I am tired of blaming others for my lack of success as years pass me by, “Lord! Teach us to pray!” I am tired of people-pleasing instead of Jesus-pleasing, “ Lord! Teach us to pray!” I am tired of my fear that you will not answer me, “Lord! Teach us to pray!” I am tired of my fear that you will stand-me-up when I need you most, “Lord teach us to pray!” Teach US, not Teach Me; Teach US, because prayer and answered prayer is a communion of Self with Godde and neighbour. Abraham could have said, Yes! Lord, they are a wicked people, an evil and inhospitable generation; wipe them off the face of the earth so You and I can have peace. But No! Abraham used intercessory prayer, importunate prayer; called on Godde’s justice, ‘ will you punish the innocent with the wicked?’ and on Godde’s Mercy ‘Spare the entire city for the sake of the innocent.’ Beloved, Godde has spared us for the sake of innocent Jesus. Importune Prayer is the master key! Importune Prayer unlocks the power of each person of the Trinity within us and moves mountains. Importune prayer engages the other to do justice and show mercy and come to your help for free.
 
Jesus teaches us in the gospel that prayer is formula, presence and encounter: ASK, SEEK, KNOCK. In the parable ASKING is specific in audience, demand and number; SEEKING engages Known and trusted opportunities and others; KNOCKING persists without shame, caring less about human pride. Jesus adds to call on Godde’s Charity in addition to Godde’s justice and mercy. This is importune prayer and it connects to the power of the persons of the Trinity; it empowers you to climb over mountains, it provides for your talents and career to fill your pocket and account; it makes rock solid your relationship with Godde; it cures all PGIs – poverty generated illnesses; it gives the testimony of miracles wrought at your own hands; it keep you praying for your needs and those of others.
 
It is best beloved to take some time now and look back into your own history for when a flimsy moment of faith, trust, prayer, research and request got you your heart’s desire. What better example of the power of importunate prayer and Godde’s fidelity to you. Beloved, Jesus is the fidelity of Godde, Jesus is your surety of answered prayer, Jesus is your ticket for a full life, Jesus not money, is Godde’s promise for a fulfilled purpose, for fulfilled dreams. Beloved as I preach to you today I preach to myself. Let us dare to trust Godde’s word today and call on Jesus on this day confident that we will sing thanks with the psalmist saying ‘Thank you Lord for on the day that I called you answered me’. Be fired up and blessed as you believe! AMEN

 

DISCOVERY: DIVINE APPOINTMENT IS THE ESSENTIAL TO ENGAGE MISSION

CATHOLIC READINGS : Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time YEAR C
What is the one purpose for which you are decided to give your all?  For which no criticism, no rejection, no labour, no striving, no pain, no suffering, no sacrifice is too great to deter its achievement. What is the one mission assigned you from the day of your birth that you find is truest to your nature and worth pursuing despite the odds? Maybe to tend the sick, to speak for the oppressed, to show hospitality to travellers, to defend the rights of refugees, to educate the young, to provide for the poor, to preach the gospel… This is your divine vocation, the exercise of which accomplishes your divinisation in Christ and shows forth the glory of Godde. It is core to your salvation necessitating all your energy and might though a lonely path, full of thorns.

The story of Martha and Mary is commonly interpreted as Jesus favouring contemplation over action; attending to Godde, over attending to the world; listening over service; Mary over Martha. But think about it would Jesus exclude service to neighbour from service to Godde? Would Jesus compare two persons to say “you are better than s/he is?” That would be the sin of the Pharisee (cf LK 18:11). So what does Jesus mean when he says “Mary has chosen the better part?”

There are a lot of good opportunities for service that compete for our attention-to make more money, to gain favour with one’s family, to show oneself an expert, to secure legacy, to make others comfortable, to attain a position, to impress one’s spouse, to be loved by one’s children… Often times these distract us from finding and living out one’s unique mission. At other times we find the vocation of others more attractive and want to divert into it rather than take the pain to chart the virgin terrain of our own mission. Jesus meant that Mary, of the choices she had, including joining her sister’s vocation, she chose to follow her own of theological pursuit, of engaging discourse on Godde. A vocation traditionally reserved to men, which her religious sister did not see as Mary’s ‘proper place’. Jesus refused to push Mary away from what had been divinely stirred up within her to please the status quo. Jesus cautioned Martha that her preoccupation with her sister’s ‘right’ vocation constituted worrying about “so many things” and distracted her from her own vocation of hospitable service (cf John 12:2) Martha who later on will testify, " I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, He who is coming into the world."(cf Jn 11:27) is no less a faithful believer and disciple than Mary. Jesus does not compare persons but points you to make a decision to do that which is YOUR mission. This is doing justice; to yourself, to the Church and to Godde. This is carrying out the individual apostolate that Vatican II’s Apostolicam Actuositatem speaks of, to be formed by theological training.

Our first reading points significantly to the fact that the divine covenant of being a primordial exemplar of faith in Godde is made to women also no matter how imperfect they may be considered, in the person of Sarah, our Mother in Faith, whose name changed from Sarai (Gen17). Had it been simply a promise made to Abraham, Ishmael would suffice as Abraham had requested (Gen 17:17-18)! And thus the Lord asks “Where is Sarah your wife?” as to ask “where are the women?” On one hand it confirms that the same vocation extends individually to both genders and on the other it points to a fact that while concubinage may bring forth legitimate children, only Matrimony comes with a divine promise of mission inspired in both spouses which they must pursue together. This is carrying out the family apostolate that Vatican II’s Apostolicam Actuositatem speaks of, to be formed by theological training.

St Paul exercises ministry by private divine appointment as an Apostle of Christ and a minister of the Church. He did not see, hear or follow Jesus during Christ’s earthly life, Paul was not at the last supper, nor did his apostolic office come from being chosen and anointed by any of the 12 apostles or their successors, hence he was often called an impostor. Paul as concerns vocational mission, challenges you and I to take seriously the indwelling of Christ in the believer via the Holy Spirit and the stirrings She produces within us-the Sensus fidei. Paul exhorts to fidelity to toil and strive in our mission in the church even in the face of the rejection of our unique mission by the church or by loved ones in this we complete Christ’s afflictions. It is common story of the saints that the Church first persecuted them and asked them to stop and years later approved and even canonised them: Joan of Arc, Padre Pio, Thomas Aquinas, Suppression of Jesuit order…

Jesus assures that Godde does not inspire unrealisable desires; Jesus declares that your choice shall not be taken away from you; Jesus calls you to engage with single devotion that which you have discerned as your calling, Jesus calls you to trust and engage your mission. So beloved, choose to do your mission, choose the better part - walk blamelessly, do the right thing and speak your truth from your heart that as the psalmist says, you may always abide forever in the presence of the Lord. Be Blessed and fired up as you believe!

 

DISCOVERY: THE NEW COVENANT IS NOT AS THE OLD COVENANT

14th SUNDAY YEAR C Catholic Readings

R/ Cry out with Joy to the Lord All the Earth

What is your discernment on women in ordained service in the Catholic Church? We have Rev. Fathers (and I do not mean Rev. Brothers) who show us Godde’s Fatherly care, don’t we need Rev. Mothers (and I do not mean Rev. Sisters) who show us Godde’s Motherly care? For Godde’s word today in the first reading from Isaiah is that: As a mother comforts, so Godde will comfort you! To stand side by side with Psalm 103:13 - As a father pities his children, So Godde pities those who fear Godde. The people of Godde are so far out of touch with this significant Divine Motherly care via the ordained service of women that allows the faithful to suck of the milk from Holy Mother Church’s (New Jerusalem) comforting breasts; to drink deeply from the abundance of her glory, where All are welcome! A Motherly care that is appropriate for a people poor, sinful, afflicted, Jew and gentile alike, trying to organize themselves as the faithful of the Lord. Finding this in the last chapter of the book of Isaiah is symbolic, in that it is in these latter days that the Universal Church is confronted with the challenge to include all; to be concerned about the inclusion of women in ordained service to the people of Godde. It is at the hand of ordained women that peace overflowing like a river and wealth from all nations will come rushing; it is at the hand of ordained women that the faithful will find nursing and fondling, a new evangelisation; I dare say, it is the Lord who speaks! What does Jesus say about this?

Only Luke takes the time to point out the apostleship of the 70. ‘Apostle’ means one who is sent, commissioned, with the crucial difference that such a one carries the same power and represents the name and stance of the sender. Such as the male priest comes in persona Christi capitis, the female prieste would come in persona Christi corporis. How does a head without a body make Jesus Christ? Luke understandably concentrates on the 70 as a gospel primary for gentile Christians to take up their faith fully, we are in majority, a gentile church. Whereas Mark sets out to embolden Christians in persecution, John writes to Jew and Samaritan, and Matthew writes for Educated Jews hence the latter focuses on the significant Mission of the 12 to the 12 tribes of Israel.  Luke stresses that those sent to us by Jesus are the 70, in pairs: no racial, no gender, and no status distinction. Luke is a gospel of pairs often pairing male and female characters and stories, a gospel of the activity of the Holy Spirit, a gospel of social justice, a gospel of women’s activity, and a gospel of Jesus who is prophetically anointed, who is Lord and saviour, who excludes no one. 

Every church prays the prayer for vocations, for more ordained workers to tend to the harvest, yet reject the women as the Lord’s answer to our prayers and leadership would not even discern with them. Nor are treated well many male servants already working in the vineyard, often deprived of the hospitality, food and rejoicing that is due the worker who comes without purse, bag or sandals. However Jesus assures us in these matters of ministry that ‘Satan will fall like lightning!’

Deducing from Paul, if the sign and seal of membership to Christian apostleship is Circumcision, then yes, a rule of a male-only priesthood makes sense but if it Baptism which includes females as males then such a rule obstructs the Holy Spirit.  By Paul, circumcision-the divinely ordained male-only rite as a sign of election for the paschal sacrifice and the covenant- is done away with by the Cross of Christ. Under the Christian dispensation, under the economy of the gospel, the uncircumcised, women and gentiles, have full admittance to being the Israel of Godde, the New Jerusalem, the New Church as is seen in the having of European and black men as deacons, priests, bishops and popes (the Gospels have Jews only as 12 apostles).  To continue to cling to a male-only priesthood is to follow the Judaisers, despair of the Holy Spirit’s direction in the search for a certitude of identity and get lost in the spiritual deficiency of the Levitical priesthood, missing the benefits of the new priesthood of Jesus Christ as says Trent on the Sacraments: If anyone says that these sacraments of the New Law do not differ from the sacraments of the Old Law, except that the ceremonies are different and the external rites are different, Anathema sit! (Canon 2, Decree Concerning the Sacraments)

Our readings today encourage us to trust ourselves to the gradual unfolding of divine revelation in every human century; to have the faith to walk alongside Jesus with our progressing understanding of the great things that happen when Godde in Jesus, mixes with us; from a personal scale to a communal and global dimension. Thus the psalmist asks us to rather stand in awe and praise and offer thanksgiving (Eucharist) at the terrible deeds Godde does, until we are able to embrace as well a cosmic dimension of salvation, so as to cry out with joy to the Lord together with the whole earth. Be blessed and fired up as you believe the Word! Amen.

TexT	Isa 66:10 -14	Ps 66:1-7, 16, 20	Gal 6:14 -18	Lk 10:1-12, 17-20
Whole Thrust	·  Trito-Isaiah. Jews are home but none of Is 40-55 miracles occurred. A poor people re-organize, in exile 70 years, others have taken their place.	·  Cultic celebration in temple, Remembrance of YHWH’s help and intervention. A Song, it invites to unite in praise & thanksgiving.	· Relying on the rules & practices of a religion is to enclose oneself in a system. Contrarily, Faith is to give oneself to God its symbol is the cross.	·  For wealthier gentile Christians (audience) becoming complacent; to challenge them to put their faith into practice more fully.
Subject Matter	· Last chapter of book. Prophet heralds: YHWH comes to save Israel & Strangers alike; to Give Birth to a New Jerusalem; A Messiah comes with  YHWH’s Spirit to deliver the Gospel to the poor.	· Crux: ‘How terrible are your deeds.’ The public, personal proclamation of divine saving might, recalls the story of Israel’s exodus.	· Last Chapter of book. Paul exhorts both men & women to glory only in being a new creature–transformation by renewal of the mind– caused by Christ’s cross	· Jesus, in gear towards Jerusalem, after the 12’s mission (for Israel) now appoints 70 (for all nations) to heal the sick & reconcile sinners– Jesus’ major actions according to Luke
Word— OT Treasury	·  Mother (cf. Is 49:15); as divine (Wisdom 7:11-12, 21-30) · Comfort (cf. Is 40: 1,2) - The coming of the Word and the New Jerusalem—Community of believers; The coming of a comforter like a mother.	·  How terrible -Answers come as great acts of power (Ps 65:5);Affects heaven & earth (Jg 5:20-22);  Involves divine appearing (Is 2:19) brings novelty that ear has not heard(Is 64:3) is of Truth (Jer 10:10)	·  Circumcision -Male-only rite; sign of covenant & consecration (Gen 17:10-12); linked to obeying divine voice (Jos 5:1-5), sign permitting partake in paschal sacrifice (Ex 12:44);  Circumcision of heart, inward Purity (Ezek 44:7) linked to put away pride (Dt 10:16)	·  70 - Other translations say seventy-two maybe 70 in pairs ·  70 elders to assist Moses to govern (Num 11-24-25) ·  70 Elim Palm trees Ex15:27 Israel’s 2nd camp after exodus · Palm (Tamar) grows from within. Victory symbol. Name given women for tree’s 360 uses, uprightness & beauty (Gen 38:6, 2 Sam 13:1, 14:27)
Themes	· The Divine in Maternal Images—Holy Spirit? · Divine word/promises bring consolation · All are Welcome · Divine Prophecy	·  Divine might & mercy ·  Tie of Personal and communal salvation · Cultic Thanksgiving (Eucharist) ·  Nature & providence	· Cross of Christ · Sign & seal of membership · Female circumcision · The Law of the New Creature · Peace & mercy	· Apostleship · Being Rejected · Emptiness for Ministry · Lamb among wolves · A Jesus Campaign · Presbyterate Theology