Graced In Wisdom Catholic Media

Graced In Wisdom Catholic Media GWCM has been dedicated to bringing insightful reflections of the weekly readings, from Father James Odoh to the faithful, throughout the world.

We are based in the diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,as we come to the close of our final liturgical year with you, we would like to take...
22/11/2022

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

as we come to the close of our final liturgical year with you, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our followers for your support in liking and sharing Fr James Odoh's homilies over the past 3 years.

We had a goal in 2019 to publish Fr James' Spirit led homilies online for Years A, B and C.

Through COVID and all of the world's joys and sorrows, we have now accomplished what we set out to achieve. Praise be to God.

We pray they have helped you in your relationship with Jesus Christ and in your understanding of the Living Word.

May you enter into Advent with patient and open hearts as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please continue to keep Fr James and all of our holy priests in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Graced in Wisdom Catholic Media 🌿

19/11/2022

The homily for The Last Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year C, with Father James Odoh

HE CRUCIFIED KING THE HOPE OF THE CONDEMNED (Lk 23:35-43)
Christ came to love but was greeted with hatred. He came to nurture his people’s life but his own tortured him to death. And who could imagine the creator being judged and condemned by his creature? Or a humbled and all-loving King being despised and rejected by his subjects? This is the situation and the experience of Christ the King.

They ridiculed or derided him; some out of hatred, others out of ignorance and still others out of lack of faith in everything he taught and did. They abandoned love for hatred, and truth for dishonesty. In them, the insanity of hatred is revealed. But Christ shows his undisputable majesty, the fearlessness of his kingship, and a peaceful acceptance of the humiliation of the cross. He was courageously royal to the point of death

The celebration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe brings to mind the true leadership character that manifests and exemplifies servant leadership. As a king, Jesus was determined to face the ignominy of the cross and accepted the unbearable death for his people.

Jesus taught great and amazing things, but his enduring love to forgive is the greatest of them. In his moment of agony, he said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Love is the strength of the king’s heart; kindness is the language of love and forgiveness flows from the aching love of the heart and the enduring kindness of the will. The loveliness of our faith is the manifestation of mercy rooted in the amazing love and the kindness of the bleeding heart of Christ. This is a reminder to be kind to everyone, tender-hearted and to forgive anyone that wrongs us as Christ forgives.

And just like Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman Emperor and Stoic saint: In this world, we will encounter a lot of unfriendly people, who will hurt, and despise us but we cannot imitate them in their wrong for the Spirit of God dwells in us. People may have uncharitable or unforgiving spirits in them but we know better because we have been born in and through the wisdom of God, we are Christlike, so we must forgive as Christ does.

The crucifixion of Jesus between two criminals was a deliberate action by the leaders of the people to humiliate Christ the King before the crowd that sang hosanna and praise at his entry to Jerusalem.

“One of the legends about the penitent thief, “tells how the holy family were attacked by robbers when they fled with the child Jesus from Bethlehem to Egypt. Jesus was saved by the son of the captain of the robber band. The baby was so lovely that the young brigand could not bear to lay hands on him but set him free, saying, ‘O most blessed of children, if ever there comes a time for having mercy on me, then remember me and forget not this hour.’ That robber youth who had saved Jesus as a baby met him again on Calvary; and this time Jesus saved him.” Jesus’ promise to the penitent thief was more than an eternity. Christ promised him to be a companion in the court of heaven.

This passage shows that it is never too late to turn to God. Though, we might be tempted to say that it is too late to ask for forgiveness or we are too old to seek mercy. Dear friends, it is never too late for God to forgive as long as we are still breathing. “It is truly true to say that as long as there is life, there is hope.

12/11/2022

Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time with Father James Odoh
THE TIDINGS OF DISTRESS THE WAY TO GLORY (Lk 21:5-19)
This gospel message rests on the fact that it has different underlying concepts that ultimately revealed human thought regarding the end time. It shows the thought on “The day of the
Lord” which brings out the Jewish concept about time.

For them, the present age could be completely bad and incurable and needed to be destroyed. And the golden age is the age to come, and that age is meant for Jewish supremacy. But in between these different times is “The Day of the Lord. A moment of turmoil and ruin through which will come, the awaited golden age.

The passage underlines the fall of Jerusalem, which happened around A.D. 70 when the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and the remnants of the people were subjected to torture.

The nation was annihilated and the Temple was destroyed and left desolate. But the gospel also refers to what is yet to come.
It was the remark on the magnificence of the Temple that prompted Jesus to forewarn the coming disaster. However, the people thought it was impossible for the Temple’s splendour
to be destroyed to its foundation.

Jesus reveals in this gospel the assurance of his second coming. But there will be fake or false prophets claiming to be working for God, and great disorders and upheaval will take place before Christ’s second coming. Jesus was sure that he was to come again and the early Church waited for that coming and we too await his coming again. And also, the foretold persecution of the believers who will experience terrible rejection for what they believe.

The people at the time adorn and trusted in the material Temple, but we must love and keep decently our body, the Temple of the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ which is the Church we all have communion. We must not be overwhelmed by the material things of this life but be deep-rooted in Christ. The true meaning of the Church is the people of God, so, we must love and care for the people rather than adore the material and business decoy of the church.

The gospel shows some basic truths about Jesus and our Christian life: Jesus could understand the signs of time and reveals the future in the present. We may be blind to the things around us but Jesus knows and understands everything within and all things to come.
We may truly understand things when we look into them with the mind of God.

It demonstrates the honesty of Jesus. He said to his disciples about the bitter persecution they must endure for following him. Christ loved and yearned for us greatly that he offers us the hard way, however, it is the way to glory. So, have courage and endure trials.

He assured us that we will not face the trials alone. With Christ, we see the rewards rather than the pains of persecution. The cross of our Christian fellowship becomes the glory of our fellowship with Christ. Where others see and run with fear from the storm of rejection, we walk peacefully with courage and trust in God.

To walk with Christ is to have the fullness of life. We may face trials and persecutions, but we will never lose the joy and peace of Christ. Remember, the Temple was very beautiful, costly and admired but did not last but we as a people and the Temple of God are destined to have joy in eternity.

05/11/2022

Homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time with Father James Odoh
THE HOPE OF LIFE AFTER DEATH (Lk 20:27-38)

The gospel of this Sunday centred on some pertinent questions about life after death. What happens after we die? What will the afterlife be like? What is the immortality of the soul? Importantly, what is the resurrection of the dead?

In dealing with critical questions of life after death or the belief in the resurrection; came a great truth from Christ. Jesus taught from what the people knew for them to understand the revealed truth. He used the believed Old Testament to open their hearts and met them on their ground and with their ideas.

When the representatives of the governing body of the Jews (Sanhedrin) were finally silenced, the Sadducees came on to test Jesus with a question. The purpose of this question lies in two things.

First, it is about the law of marriage in Deuteronomy 25:5-6 which says “if a man died childlessly, his brother must marry the widow and beget children to carry on the line.” This particular law was likely not practised in Jesus’ time; however, it was part of the Mosaic rules and consequently, the Sadducees believed it was obligatory.

Second, it was about what the Sadducees believed and accepted as bidding. Though, the Sadducees and the Pharisees are frequently cited together, they are different in what they believed.

The Pharisees believed in the written Word of God and all the oral regulations and ceremonial rules. But the Sadducees acknowledged only the written regulation of the Old Testament; mostly the law of Moses. The Pharisees accepted and believed in the resurrection, angels and spirits. However, the Sadducees neither believe in the resurrection from the dead nor angels and spirits.

The Sadducees’ question was meant or intended as a mockery of the belief in the resurrection of the body. But Jesus’ answer came as an enduring and binding truth.

Christ could be saying; do not liken heaven to this world. Life in the kingdom of God is completely different because we will be different. It would save a lot of misleading inventiveness, and there will not be any hopelessness if we stopped speculating on what and
how heaven is like and leave things to God alone. He who created and knows all things in love will behold all things in love at the end of time.

Because of the Sadducees’ lack of belief in the resurrection of the body, Jesus said; “Moses himself implies that the dead rise again, in the passage about the bush where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob (Exo 3:1-6).” It is unthinkable then that Lord is the God of the dead. So, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob must still be alive. Accordingly, there is life after death.

Jesus, our saviour and redeemer died and came back to life, after which he ascended to the Father. Therefore, we who are following his footsteps though may die but will rise to new life; for where the good shepherd had gone, we will follow. Life after death is revealed to us through Christ and is inherent to faith in God who is both the beginning and the end of all who believe and hope in him.

29/10/2022

Homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time with Fr James Odoh

CHRIST: THE GUEST OF EVERYONE (Lk 19:1-10)
The town of Jericho was one of the richest and most significant towns in the time of Jesus because of its rich nature. It became one of the greatest taxation centres at the time. And the tax collectors were very rich and influenced but seen as sinners because of the rapacious way they acquired their wealth. Zacchaeus was already at the peak of his profession and was very rich however, he was hated for his job.

It is believed and known that Christ loved the company of everyone. He neither discriminates nor despises anyone. He loved and wished to lead all people to God the Father.

Zacchaeus never allowed himself to be frightened, that welcoming Jesus into his home could jeopardise his tax collecting career. He was wonderfully excited by meeting with Jesus and welcoming Christ into his home.

This reminds us that our experience of Jesus is always exciting, and importantly, a moment of truth and a time for a great decision. We too should long for him and be willing to receive him into our homes or hearts. Christ’s coming to our hearts or home is a new adventure and, an adventure of healing and joy.

Zacchaeus before meeting Jesus was very affluent but he could be an unhappy person. Possibly, he was lonely, for people would not want to be friends with any tax collector. He was an outcast among his people. He however found a friend in Jesus, who would welcome anyone.

Though Zacchaeus was Despised and hated by many, he was embraced by the aching love of God as he longed to accept Christ. The tax collector resolved to see Jesus and would not allow anything to stop him. He was courageous to associate with the crowd to see Jesus. He would do everything not to miss the opportunity.

After meeting with Jesus, Zacchaeus made a remarkable decision to show that he has changed. And Jesus gladly pitched his tent with the tax collector, for he let go of his vice and accepted the virtue brought by Christ. The tax collector was happy to make restitution for all his wrongs. He was happy to do better than necessary and showed by his deeds that he was a changed person.

Dear friends, a testimony is completely insignificant except if it is backed by actions that assured its honesty. Jesus demands not just mere words but a change of life and good deeds.

In the end, Jesus says; “The Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.” To be lost in this context does not mean damnation or being doomed. For a thing is lost only when it is out of its proper place and in the wrong place. And when the thing is found, we take it back to its rightful place. So, a person is lost when he or she wanders away from God; but found when he or she goes back in obedience to God and takes his or her rightful position.

In everything, we are called to accept Christ, “The Divine Self-Giving” from the depths of our humanity. An acceptance of Divine Charity with a sacrificial love that fills the heart with joy.

22/10/2022

Homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C with Father James Odoh
PRIDE-A VICE THAT DESTROYS (Lk 18:9-14)

To be wise and humble is not about using words to exalt, praise and speak about ourselves. It is to listen and to understand the small things that matter to all. It is always good to be strong but never to be rude, to be proud but never to be arrogant. It is also beautiful to be humble and to never be timid, and to be gracious and to never be weak.

Some may call you weak, crazy and fearful just because you are kind and supportive. Just be conscious that life is a pilgrimage not a competition and everyone has something good and beautiful to offer.

The gospel brings to light that the Pharisee and the tax collector or publican went to the Temple to pray. This is going into the presence of God to communicate with the Lord. This could mean, being with the Lord and being reconciled with him. We should always try to be
at one with God, to be at peace with the Lord and filled, justified by God.

Christ through the gospel shows two different kinds of people. The self-righteous or self-exalted people and the humble or simple hearted kind of people.

The Pharisee did not go to the temple to pray to God but stood arrogantly and with unadmiring pride before God to praise himself, judge the publican or tax collector. He presented himself in the physical temple but never allowed God to be present in the temple of his heart. What the Pharisee said about himself could be true but prayer is not a competition or pride. Prayer is living life with God.

However, the tax collector who was ridiculed and seen as a sinner stood a distance away, and with a humble gesture and with a broken heart, bowed his head; and sincerely offered undiluted prayer to God. He did not judge anyone but said: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” He was truly humble. It was this prayer from a broken heart, desiring the compassionate love of God that touched the very heart of God and was acceptable to God. For God is close to the broken-hearted (Ps 33:19).

The publican was never boastful or arrogant but humble. He never exalted himself but recognised the sublime and divine presence of God and longed for God’s mercy. This asserts humility to be the foundation of prayer. If we can recognise our weaknesses then, we will know our need for God.

True prayer is setting our lives in the way of Christ. We will humbly and happily ask God to have mercy on us if we set our lives in the “footprint” of Christ and besides the kindness of God.

The gospel teaches that prayer must be offered in humility. A proud and arrogant person cannot honestly or naturally pray to God. Pride blinds the heart and makes the proud person not see his or her failures and his or her need for God’s desiring love.

Anyone who despises others cannot justly pray, because, prayer is never meant for self-exaltation and ridicule of other people. We all have our brokenness or failures or suffering or sorrow to bear. So, we only need to approach God’s throne of mercy with our humble
humanity.

15/10/2022

Homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary time Year C with Father James Odoh
PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER AND UNWAVERING HOPE (Lk 18:1-8)
The gospel passage tells of the reality of seeking justice or persistence in prayer. It also shows why we should never give up or lose faith in times of trials or temptations. It is a call to have an unwavering character in faith.

The judge is possibly not a Jewish judge since all Jewish disputes were taken to the elders in the council. But there will be at least three judges in line with the Jewish tradition when a case is before an arbitrator; one chosen by the plaintiff, another by the defendant and the third chosen as an independent judge. The judge mentioned in the gospel could be one of the paid judges appointed by Herod or the Romans’ authority, who would normally pervert justice.

The widow represents the defenceless and the poor who have no means to bribe or pay their way to get any help for justice. There was no hope of getting justice or fairness since she has no resources of any kind.

However, she got persistence as her weapon to firmly continue to seek the justice she deserved.
And the Judge who neither fear God nor respect any human was afraid of being worried to death. He could end up having no peace of mind, getting sleepless nights and down with depression. So, the woman, in the end, got the justice she was seeking.

This story does not equal God to the unjust judge but presents God as completely different from the judge. Jesus says; if such an arrogant, greedy and perverse judge could by such unwavering persistence of the widow be touched and changed to give the woman justice, how much more will God, with aching desiring love will grant us our humble and sublime needs?

That in truth does not mean, we will get everything we ask in prayer from God. A good father will always refuse to give to his child whatever will hurt the child. But will always give to the child whatever will help or be good for the child at the right time.

Only God knows everything in time and space and all things beyond the physical. God alone sees the whole of life and understands all that revolves around our lives. And in the end, only God knows what is good for us.

The gospel points out the need for trusting faith, which is nurtured in prayer. So, like the widow, we should persevere in prayer and wait for God’s time. Never get tired in prayer or waver in our faith, but hope God’s will be done.

Prayer must last as long as life. Our prayer must start from the sunrise to the sunset of our life. It must never be a part-time conversation with God, but a life-journeying communication
with the God of mercy. Just as we breathe every moment so we should pray every time.

The widow was helpless around the unjust judge. But she never gave up and hoped in getting justice. She persisted in her desire. So, dear friends, we should persevere in our prayer to God
to vindicate us against the trials and troubles of this world. Our perseverance in prayer will deepen our faith and strengthen our hope.

08/10/2022

Homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C with Father James Odoh

THE TRAGEDY OF THE LACK OF GRATITUDE (Lk 17:11-19)
Life is a divine and natural gift that is given to us freely and should be lived without any barrier or boundary and with a grateful heart. However, human inclination and the desire for power make us redefine the essence of life, relationships, traditions and cultures to the point of building walls when we should mend bridges. And creating unnecessary barriers in the name of religion, race and colour and allowing the very thing meant to unite us to divide us.

Jesus in the gospel of this weekend was around the border between the Jewish community and the Gentiles’ village. There, he met a group of lepers of both Gentiles and Jewish origins, who invoked his mercy on their pitiable situation from a distance, as they would have been excluded or banished from their families or communities. They were Isolated, a cut-off from other humans or families that defines the lepers as less human.

The Jews indeed had nothing to do with the Gentiles, but the great reality of life has brought them together, without any of them thinking less of the others. A shared misfortune had wrecked the ethnic or racial and religious barriers. They forgot their nationality and race but only remember they are people in need.

It is believed that in a moment of a natural disaster when the earth is taken over by a flood or other terrible calamities, the wild animals and humans will seek shelter or refuge on any tiny bit of higher ground, and there will be a peaceful congregation of animals and humans who are ordinarily enemies and will normally do anything at other time to kill each other.

Our common need for God should be something that unites us peacefully, but the very God that should unite us is what, out of our human self-serving and the quest for power has caused great division. Religion should have been a great bridge of unity but it has been used enormously to build walls and destroy unity.

The passage also shows the lack of gratitude. The ten lepers, in desperate need and ached for healing got the cure they longed for; but the majority of them never came back to offer their thanks except for the Gentile (The Samaritan). Mostly, we ask for one or more things in our prayers and through life situations but never bother to offer simple gratitude for the freshness of the air we breathe.

Often, we are ungrateful to our parents. Our parents had given everything, even their very life. But they become a nuisance when they are aged. And some of our young ones are thankless, unappreciative and unwilling to care for them as they are aged.

A friend, a doctor or a teacher or a pastor may offer a great deal of life to save us which is incredible to pay back. But the tragedy is that some never try to show any appreciation.

We pray desperately in a moment of an aching need , but never have a minute to thank God after granting the need. Thanksgiving to God replenishes our lives. An appreciation for the natural air refills our hearts with joy. A simple prayer of Psalm 103: 2 or the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) covers everything. Could you spend a minute to say this prayer only, and just once a day? Gratitude is a nurturing habit that brings joy and nourishes both the giver and
receiver.

01/10/2022

Homily for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C with Father James Odoh

THE WAY OF CHRISTIAN LIFE (Lk 17:5-10)
Reason leads many to wonder, and marvelled at the work of Christ has caused the apostles to seek faith. However, faith cannot depend on reason since it rests on God’s omnipotence. Faith is an act for which divine grace is unconditionally indispensable and given to us through Christ. This is how we know the truths we are destined to believe.

The apostles wanted Christ to increase their faith. Christ’s answer: “Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey you.” This means, if our faith is as tiny as the mustard seed it could help us remove or walk through any mountain of temptation or sickness or any difficulty of life. Faith can help achieve astonishing triumphs over life’s challenges.

The gospel demonstrates the apostles’ yearning for trusting faith to yield to God and believe in professing the saving work of God through Christ. They wanted a life-changing trust in God’s self revelation, Christ our saviour. This is a call for all to respond to the self-gift of God, through a personal relationship with Christ. Faith helps us to completely adhere to God. It impels our will to love and trust in God.

Christ teaches that faith makes what seems impossible possible. When we wish something to be done, it will be done but we must approach such things with Christ and trust in God’s will. This is faith incarnated in our lives and nurtured through prayers. Incarnated faith goes beyond the thoughts of our minds and the words of our mouths. It is found in our handiwork or deeds. It is called: faith in action.

“It is not an intellectual deeper knowledge of God but a total surrendering to God, a leap and risk by which we reject all security except God” (Kierkegaard).

The gospel also shows the need for an exciting humble service. However, it does refer to the master as a tough task-master, unsympathetic to the labourer’s or servant’s tiredness and
accepting service without gratitude. Accordingly, “Christ did not come to be served but came to serve and gave up his life as a ransom for many (Matt 20:28).

Gratitude or thanksgiving is a way of transcending the self. An active and positive response of appreciation in recognising the goodness of others. Freedom to act graciously to a favour
received, especially to God.

The passage shows that God is never indebted to anyone. It is trustingly true that we cannot do more than what is requested of us and in the end, the best we can do is only to do our best in every responsibility given to us.

To seek faith, we must be people of goodwill, which include prayer and humility. This is seeking God’s light and direction to approach life and all the beauty in creation with a meek heart and the trustfulness of a child.

The apostles’ ability to seek faith is a conscious desire to seek and know God. Faith is always personified in form of belief, celebrated in worship and incarnated in charity.

24/09/2022

Homily for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time with Father James Odoh

THE SIN OF THE MAN WHO NEGLECTS THE NEEDS OF THE POOR (Lk 16:19-31)
The gospel of this 26th Sunday centred on the well-thought story, with unique and inspiring lessons, that riches or wealth could be blessings from God through our effort. Riches or wealth are not bad in themselves as they are meant to help us through life’s journey. When the misuse of wealth and making riches take the core place of God, it tragically closes our hearts towards the needs of others.

We could notice that the poor man is called Lazarus but the rich man’s name was never mentioned. This depicts that, Christ might be teaching from the book of life that contains the name of Lazarus but the rich man’s name is nowhere to be found.

Another thing that we should remember is that the rich man was buried but it was never mentioned that Lazarus was buried. It is a fact that rich people’s burial is always popular, solemn, and remarkable and many people love to participate. But who cares when a poor person dies? It could be the reason Lazarus’ burial was not mentioned since no one would take notice of the poor person’s death. But, whether a solemn and popular funeral or a private
and unpopular funeral, none of these matters to the deceased.

We must know that around the time of Jesus, there were no cutleries. The people would eat by hand; however, rich people would clean their hands with the hunks of bread after every
meal before proper wash, and the bread was thrown away. It was these hunks of bread that Lazarus would use to feed himself. The name Lazarus could simply mean: “God is my helper.” He was a helpless beggar, who lived in the hope of feeding from the scraps that fall from the rich man’s table. Precisely, Lazarus was waiting for the hunks of bread to be thrown away for him to eat. The rich man’s
sin was not that he asked Lazarus to be removed from his house or he should not eat the bread that was flung away. It was that he neglected to understand the pain of his fellow human.

It was naturally okay for the rich man to see Lazarus in pain and grief and do nothing. He lacked the heart of compassion. This is the sin of those who take no notice of the pains and unavoidable needs of others. Not that the rich man did something but he just did nothing in the face of the terrible need of the poor.

There in the gospel is a “great gulf” between the rich man and Lazarus so that no one could move from one side to the other. This symbolises the irreversible truth of life after death. There is no second chance after death. We only have the opportunity of a second chance while alive.

The rich man asked if Lazarus could be sent to his brothers to warn them so that they may not end up in a place of torment. Abraham’s reply shows that miracles are not necessary remedies for non-belief. For example; Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha was raised from the dead, yet, the leading Pharisees did not believe in Christ. They wanted to kill and put Lazarus back to death.

Dear friends, the best gospel to be preached is the Good News of kindness. Kindness touches the very heart of God and brings healing and joy to mankind. It is the message of compassion to act in the time of needs. Your situation may be that of the rich man or Lazarus or different from these two. However, whatever your situation may be; remember you are soaked within the wounded love of God. So, we must show kindness in the face of the needs of others.

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