HOMILY FOR THE 21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.

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Isaiah 22:19-23; Psalm 138:1-3.6.8; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20.

“WHO DO YOU SAY I AM? FROM IMPRESSION TO PERCEPTION!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·      We live in an era where a lot of people are masking and claiming to be who they are not. In this era, it is difficult to know who God is and let alone worship him in spirit and truth. It is an age of false prophets who pretend to be acting and speaking in the name of God. 

·      The challenge that comes with false prophecy is that they are so good at imitating that which is real. They go the extra mile to look like the real, but they are not. Their motive and passion are materially oriented, and the children of God are caught in the crossroad trying to decipher which is false and true.

·      If the Lord himself was accused of using the powers of darkness to cast out demons, then we must understand that it is possible and that many modern preachers may fall into that category of false prophets (Matt. 12:27).

·      Today Jesus put this fundamental question before his disciples in the gospel reading (Matthew 16:13-20), “Who do you say I am?” At face value, it is an embarrassing question for the disciples. They would have questioned themselves thus: you mean that we did not know who you are before we decided to follow you? 

·      The answers these disciples gave to Jesus confirmed Jesus’ suspicion that we could be with Jesus daily and worship him weekly at Sunday masses like this and still not know him. Some thought he was Elijah or one of the prophets. It took an inspired Peter to answer correctly. In truth, proximity to Jesus does not mean intimacy with him.

·      Today Jesus challenges us to move from an impression of Jesus to a perception of him. Perception has to do with personal encounters, personal touch, and personal experience of him. No wonder Scripture says: “test and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8). 

·      The truth remains that most of us became Catholics not by conviction or personal conversation. Some of us became Catholics by natural inheritance because our parents are Catholics or by marriage. Only a few became Catholics through a personal faith journey and experience 

·      Whether we fall into any of the above categories, today the Lord challenges us to take a stand and own our faith. This is exactly what our separated brethren mean when they ask us “Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour?” 

·      Today we must seek to know Jesus and to walk with him in a more personal and intimate way moving from a generic impression to a personal perception. There are enormous benefits that come from knowing God personally.

·      When we come to know God and confess our faith in him, he strengthens our commitment and assures us of his presence. Knowing that he is ever-present around us, the gates of the underworld will never prevail against us.

·      Saint Paul tells us in the second reading (Romans 11:33-36), that the ways of God are not our ways, but seeking to know and love God, he begins to unravel himself to us leading to his ultimate glory.

·      Moving from a generic impression to a personal perception leads to the true and deep worship of God. And this worship comes from the conviction that leads to conversion. Once we get to this stage, we have a lot to gain for it.

·      In the first reading (Isaiah 22:19-23), Eliakim found favour with God because he sought to know God personally. He did not allow the long tradition of claiming ownership of God by the people of Israel to becloud his hunger for God.

·      Dearly beloved in Christ, we must also seek to know God personally, we must crave a personal touch from the master and let his transforming presence envelop and transform us, then praying and asking for favours becomes a conversation between a loving father and a child.

·      Today’s message is also a direct call on us for a deeper reassessment of who we are, not the impression we give to people, or what they feel about us but through a life that glorifies God. Remember life is not all about people’s opinion about you but who God says you are and the position you give God in your life!

·      Today, let us pray that the Lord will fill us with hunger for him. To seek to know him better every day and to seek him in spirit and in truth, so that like the Psalmist we can exclaim “O Lord, your merciful love is eternal; discard not the work of hands” (Ps. 138:8).

·       May the good Lord bless his word in our hearts, through Christ our Lord, Amen!

·      Happy Sunday!!!

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