Homily For The Third Sunday Of Lent Year B.

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Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:8-11; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25.

“LENT: A SEASON OF SELF-PURIFICATION!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·      Jesus Christ as a man, will probably go down the history books as one of the most radical persons who ever lived. He did things that left his followers and close associates wondering if he was truly the son of God, his ways and designs were unpredictable.

·      On this Sunday, Jesus in like manner takes his disciples by surprise with his actions in the temple in today’s gospel reading (John 2:13-25). He drove out the money changers and upturned the tables of those who were engaging in buying and selling in the temple. He sent a strong warning, “Take these things away; you shall not make my Father’s house a house of trade” (Jn. 2:16).

·      Jesus was not afraid, to tell the truth, or to confront the powers that be, with the sole aim of inspiring conversion in them. He knew the consequence of his action that it might lead to his death. However, the mission of the father supersedes all fears and anxieties hence, his zeal is to do the will of his father.

·      Friends in Christ, in the purification of the temple, Jesus reminds us of our duty during this Lenten season and even beyond to always purity ourselves and keep ourselves clean because we too are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19).

·      During this season which calls for sober reflection and meditation on our spiritual progress and relationship with God, we must then ask ourselves the areas in our lives we need to turn the tables and drive out some useless and stupid habits to be clean and at peace with God.

·      We need to turn the table of lies, wickedness, fornication, adultery, gossip, masturbation, stealing, insensitivity, greed, avarice, etc. We must make cords of spiritual renewal to drive these vices out of our lives to remain clean and focused on God.

·      In the second reading (1 Corinthians 1:22-25), the Jews demanded signs and the Greeks sought wisdom. But there is no sign of wisdom greater than the son of God dying to save mankind. To the worldly-minded, these things do not just add up or make sense. We must remember that God’s ways are not our ways and our wisdom is but foolishness in his sight and his weakness is stronger than man.

·      Dearly beloved in Christ, when we purify ourselves of all the inclinations to sin and their stubborn habits, a vacuum is created in us which if we do not fill up, then our sins come back to hunt and to further expose us to danger and recklessness.

·      The first reading (Exodus 20:1-17), now gives us a guide on how to live a better life. How to embrace God and to shun sin. We must hunger to know and to keep God’s commandments. The commandments should be our guide and manual of the Christian life to fill the vacuum created by our self-purification.

·      The Ten Commandments are the summary of what God expects of us as Christians. It is further summarized into two which are the love of God and the love of neighbor. So, now that we have come before God to be purified and made holy, we must not go on living our lives in a vacuum but fill our lives with the light of God’s word and commandments.

·      During this Lenten season if we want to live right and live holy which is what God expects of us, then like the Psalmist we must go to God in repentance and humility and say, “Lord, you have the word of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68). And that word is the commandments of God.

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

·      Happy Sunday!!!

 

 

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