Homily for Monday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II
Theme: A COUNTRY WITH THE SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY FOR 60 YRS!
By: Fr. Benedict Agbo
Homily for Monday October 26 2020
* Eph 4: 32 -5:8, Lk 13: 10 -17.
Nigeria is like this woman mentioned in today’s gospel who had a spirit of infirmity, not for 18 but for 60 solid years now. Her problem is so complicated that mere physiology and anatomy cannot define it. Neither would mere prayers and binding and casting of demons deliver her. Just as she was born, divisive tendencies broke out between the Northern and Southern leaders and her fate went into the hands of brutish soldiers who spilt the blood of innocent people in a gruesome civil war that lasted for more than 3 years. After the war, instead of healing the wounds of the war and rebuilding the edifices, education was removed from the hands of the Church and this paved the way for the corruption of the next generation of her leaders. Now these leaders are manifesting the stuff they are made of; consumerism of the nation’s rich resources and the Youths became the worst victims. They are denied the future as “leaders of tomorrow” since the old politicians (even soldier politicians) have refused to hands off.
In order to survive, the Youths have resorted to the internet, having been abandoned at home for donkey months, frustrated by ASUU strike and CoViD 19 lockdown . They try to make their money through the internet. They called them “Yahoo boys” and began chasing them about with Police (SARS). Their friends became the pop musicians who spoke their language and made them merry and gave them fun. They became their teachers and the gospel they heard especially when CoViD 19 kept them away from their Pastors and Teachers. The consequence is what we see today; a war with indefinite enemy boundaries and locations – with no identifiable war lords and commanders. Different angry groups are taking advantage of the situation to give vent to their anger and destroy people and property. The Usman Dan Fodio boys meanwhile have been hibernating in the bushes waiting for opportunities to unleash their mayhem.
Today’s 1st reading warns us that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Immorality, impurity, covetousness, extortion, bribery and corruption have filled this Country like the days of Sodom and Gomorrah and the gates of hell have been let loose by a government that does not know how to speak the language of peace and conflict resolution. Only Jesus can heal this country now like he healed the woman who had the spirit of infirmity for 18 years. As Jesus is trying to heal us, let the rulers of our synagogue, the hypocritical leaders, the legalists, not be more interested in preserving the Sabbath laws. Let them not be too quick in pressing the triggers than in addressing the ailments because they are dealing with Youths who understand the sound of violence as their comfort zone.
Besides, they haven’t much to lose again since “he who is down needs no more fall”. I hope another “French revolution” has not started in Nigeria? May the Lord heal our land with peace!
May God bless you today!
FR BEN AGBO.