The battle between good and evil
TENTH SUNDAY, YEAR B. 9TH JUNE, 2024, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Lambata Pastoral Area, Kwali, FCT. Homily by Archbishop I.A.Kaigama.
1st Reading Gen 3:9-15; 2nd Reading 2Cor 4:13-5:1; Gospel Mk 3: 20-35
The battle between good and evil
It is a very great pleasure for me to pay my first pastoral visit to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Pastoral Area under the pastoral leadership of Fr. John Oche, since your creation in 2021. Warm greetings and commendation to you all. You may be at the periphery of the FCT, but your community of faith is not forgotten by those in the urban area of the Archdiocese of Abuja.
The readings for this Sunday show that evil does not come from God; it comes from man yielding to the devil’s temptation. In 1st Peter 5 : 8 -9 we are counselled to “Be sober and vigilant. For your adversary, the devil, is like a roaring lion, traveling around and seeking those whom he might devour. Resist him by being strong in faith….”
The first reading from Genesis explains the origin of sin and its consequences for humanity. The story recounts how Adam and Eve, the first human beings created by God, disobeyed God’s command by eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam’s disobedience introduced sin into the world, marking a spiritual separation between humanity and God.
It was never God’s intention to make us suffer and endure death, but it was by our own conscious choice, choosing the falsehoods of the evil one who tempts us with worldly glory, power, knowledge, etc.
We are challenged to recognize that the fight between good and evil is still going on in our own time. When we sin, we cannot face each other openly; neither can we face God. Sin separates us from God; breaks our relationship with God, our neighbours and weakens our desire to do good.
The second reading from 2nd Corinthians speaks of the hope that sustains us in times of trial. The Lord has sent us His only begotten Son, to be the One to bridge the gap between us and Himself, and to show us all the truth of His salvation and love. Despite the afflictions we may face, we are called to fix our eyes not on the transient troubles of this world but on the eternal glory that awaits us. This message offers comfort to the countless Nigerians grappling with poverty and hunger. The very high costs of food stuffs and other essential commodities are making people move around with hungry and gloomy faces, one could say, funeral faces.
In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus confronts accusations from scribes who claim that He is possessed by Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Jesus argues that it is illogical for Satan to cast out Satan, and instead, it is by the Spirit of God that He performs miracles. Despite their readiness to level false charges against Him, Jesus remained steadfast in His mission.
Jesus explains further in the gospel that every authentic disciple of Christ becomes part of His extended family—brother, sister, and mother. Jesus came to save all who are willing to align with God’s will. Furthermore, Christ reminds us that our social status does not determine our place in His family. Instead, it is our responsive actions to God’s call that define our belonging. Becoming part of Christ’s family is through an unwavering faith and obedience to God.
Lessons to learn today:
Our first parents, Adam and Eve, are the first refugees; they are banished from their home, condemned to make do in a world that is no longer under their authority.
Adam and Eve responded ungratefully to God’s incredible love. Instead of acknowledging their wrongdoing, they began a chain of blame. They avoided taking personal responsibility for their joint choice.
Their story illustrates the reality of human free will. Despite being created in the image of God and endowed with the ability to make moral choices, Adam and Eve exercised their free will to disobey God’s command.
After Adam and Eve’s disobedience, God promised to send a Saviour who would ultimately reconcile humanity with God and restore what was lost through sin.
Despite Adam and Eve’s sin, God continued to care for them, providing clothing to cover their shame and offering hope for the future through the promise of redemption.
Jesus makes it abundantly clear that His real family is determined not by blood relationships, but by fidelity to the will of God.
The only individuals excluded from God’s merciful love are those who obstinately blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. The sin against the Holy Spirit occurs when we attribute to evil what comes through the power of God.
Even though we are to fix our gaze on eternal rewards rather than transient worldly matters; anticipating a heavenly home where we will share in God’s eternal life, we still pray for and expect a better life in this world. In Nigeria today, the cost of a bag of maize is over eighty thousand Naira. How can a family of six even with a basic salary of 100k survive? If they buy a bag of maize, they have only 13k left! What about soup, transport to work, medical needs, extended family ? Are our political leaders who campaigned so vigorously for a better socio-economic condition for Nigerians, and swore an oath to protect Nigerians watching?
A stitch in time saves nine.
