Eucharist: the true bread from heaven
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY, YEAR B, AUGUST 1, 2021, OUR LADY QUEEN OF NIGERIA PRO-CATHEDRAL, HOMILY BY ARCHBISHOP I. A. KAIGAMA
Readings: Ex. 16: 2-4, 12-15; Ps. 77(78): 3-4, 23-25, 54; Eph. 4: 17, 20-24; Jn. 6: 24-35
It is my pleasure to worship with you members of the 8.00 am Mass in the Pro-Cathedral. You may wonder why my attention since assumption of office in the Archdiocese of Abuja has been mostly dedicated to those parishes and pastoral areas in the peripheries. The simple answer is that they need more attention. I have come to discover to my surprise that there are two Abujas: the Abuja of the glamorous city and the Abuja that has so much to do to catch up with the modern reality of a state capital. The excitement I see when I visit people shows that even in their material poverty and social deprivation, they are hungry for spiritual and pastoral services.
Last Sunday, the people ate the bread that was multiplied from the five barley loaves and two fish supplied by a little boy, and the people wanted to make Jesus king by force, because He satisfied their hunger. They misunderstood the fact that the miracle was meant to ignite their faith in Jesus. Hence, the warning from Jesus, “do not work for food that cannot last, but work for food that endures to eternal life” (Jn. 6:27).
Today we continue our reflection on the Eucharist “the true bread from heaven”, from which the Church draws her life. Jesus is the Bread of Life who nourishes us, satisfies us, and gives strength to our feeble bodies, without which there is neither Christian life nor growth, neither grace nor strength.
The Israelites in the desert revolted against Moses due to hunger and forgot all the great things that God had done for them: how He separated the Red Sea and defeated the Egyptians in order to save them, etc. Often times we repeat the mistake of the Israelites by murmuring against God in times of great difficulty. “God is good” only when things are going well. But when we are faced with hardships, pains, and sorrows, we forget all His goodness and either refuse to acknowledge His greatness or choose alternative gods such as money, drugs, power or engaging in fetish or criminal activities. We must count our blessings at all times, and not follow Jesus only because of perishable benefits; follow Him because you love Him and want to deepen this love by knowing and understanding Him better. St. Paul tells us, the kingdom of God does not consist in eating and drinking but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (cf. Rm. 14:17).
Many want a God who acts like a magician. Little wonder, many Christians today tend to shun those preachers who tell the truth about genuine gospel values, such as dignity of work, honesty, justice, truth, morality repentance, charity, etc. They prefer those who market the “prosperity gospel,” and engage in superficial worship that calls on God only when there is a need, seeing God as a judge or a policeman or a generous farmer who provides meat, watermelons, onions, cucumbers, etc.
Dear friends, we may be going through hard times in our nation but we must be careful not to complain inordinately. It is one thing to ask God for a favour, it is quite another thing to act before Him as if He owes us a debt to be paid back. We must re-examine our motive for following Jesus. If we follow only for ephemeral desires, these desires will prevent us from appreciating the goodness of God, and will hold us in spiritual bondage.
It is not uncommon today that most people move from one church to the other, from one religious house to another in search of signs and wonders, miracles, breakthroughs, favours, etc, and not because of their faith in God. They tend to forget to count their blessings and blame God for their misfortunes. Our relationship with God must not be based on how many material things He is able to provide for us but our genuine desire to serve Him.
In the first reading we see a protest to Moses by the people in a peaceful and non-violent manner, thus demonstrating the right attitude of tackling social problems. God heard their cry. There are millions of Nigerians with grim hope to earn their daily bread because of unemployment. It is however no excuse to take to criminal or violent actions that threaten commercial or agricultural activities and peaceful coexistence. We must use all peaceful means to appeal to Government to do what is necessary and Government must respond quickly so that the large poor populations may not be forced into unending illicit or criminal activities. Corruption in the distribution of resources must be eliminated.
We recall that the Federal Government had flagged off the 774,000 jobs, with each participant expected to receive N20,000 for three months, to be paid through their bank verification numbers, to eliminate fraud and/or double. What impact has been made? Let us know the identity of youth beneficiaries and the quality of help rendered to them.
We must cultivate a new and better way of living honestly and justly. When Nigerians pray, let it not be about a litany of physical needs, but also for honesty to take roots in the hearts of both the poor and privileged Nigerians; so that we are able to discharge our duties honestly with a very strong sense of charity and fairness.
The Eucharist teaches us to live as God’s wants. May we gain from it the grace to overcome temptations to sin and crime and to enjoy the peace and progress that comes from knowing and following Christ.
