Everything that we have Comes God: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday Breakfast with the Word: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Isaiah 22:15, 19-23,  Romans 11:33-36, Matthew 16:13-20

 

Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the saints that became devoted to God and Christianity after abandoning a life of luxury. In order to raise money to rebuild the Christian church, Francis sold his horse and some clothes from his father’s shop.

His father upon hearing this dragged Francis before the local bishop. The bishop told St. Francis to return his father’s money but He stripped off his clothes, and along with them returned the money back to his father, declaring that God is ready to provide for Him, for everything comes from Him. He declares that God is now the only father he had. And there was no record that He returned back to the father.

Secondly, when the disciples of John the Baptist came to Him and complained that the man He testified about was baptizing on the other side of the Jordan and everyone was going to Him. To this, John replied that  “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven”. The above postulations point to the fact that it is God that gives.

 

In today’s gospel, instead of praising Peter for answering well and being full of wisdom like we would have done if we were Peter, Jesus told Him that such knowledge was never from a human agent but God the Father. Even in the second reading, Paul re-emphasized this by saying that “everything there is, comes from God, caused by God and exists for God.

 

 

YOU MAY READ: NEVER GIVE UP ON GOD

 

Shebna’s Situation

 

In the first reading, we see God reproving Shebna in a harsh manner, promising to snatch away his post and appointing Eliakim son of Hilkiah to be his replacement. Shebna was one of King Hezekiah’s chief assistants. While Eliakim son of Hilkiah was the palace administrator. Shebna was both a steward and the secretary (2 Kings 18:18, Isaiah 37:2).

 

He made himself a powerful tomb, which was a great display of power and wealth at that time. This is because Isaiah had prophesied that the people of Judah and Jerusalem would be carried away into exile, but Shebna didn’t believe it. He built this elaborate tomb to himself in Jerusalem, as if to say, that He will never be carried away in exile.

 

He used his position as a scribe and learned man to cause problems. In the following verses of that first reading, God asked Him “What do you have here, who gave you permission to build yourself a tomb here (Isaiah 22:16). As if to say that Shebna took laws into his hands and thought of Himself as a god and owner of His position. God then threatened to remove Shebna because of His pride.

 

2. By removing Shebna who once thought himself great and replacing Him with Eliakim God reminded the people that authority and power come from Him. But sometimes when we gather much knowledge and rise to certain positions, we forget that what we are and what we have are nothing if by the grace of God.

 

We arrogate power unto ourselves and act any way we like. Paul says “what do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Corinthians 4:17). When we know that whatever we think we have or know comes from God, we will thread humility in everything we do.

 

The Encounter at Caesarea Philippi

 

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi He asked His disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of man is?  

 

1. Jesus is famous and well known for his healing, teaching, and miraculous works. The implication of this question is to know who is this man that has been working miraculously in their midst. Do they truly understand where He came from? Who was it that the crowds thought they were following, that they were coming to hear?  

 

2. They answered that “some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets”. The key point in this answer is that the people mentioned were also key figures in the Jewish tradition. A sign that they saw Jesus only as a mighty prophet but they don’t truly understand who He is.

 

3. Many today understand Jesus only as a healer, miracle worker, one who gives money, this is why we hear such names, like Oluwa dey, na Baba God, Oluwa bu Eze, etc yet some people who call these names will never spend time in communication with God. 

 

4. Some also understand Jesus only as a mere figure who cannot have any influence again in present-day situations and this is why when problems come, they run away elsewhere looking for solutions. Some took Jesus only as somebody that never existed and what the Europeans just implanted into their minds as a way of mental slavery. This is why many today will tell you that Christianity is a scam. How we truly know God will surely affect how we worship him.  

 

5. When we understand that whatever we are is from Him we will always come to Him.  It is good also to understand who we are and what is the cause of our existence. It is good to ask what truly defines my life as a Christian? what does a Christian mean? Understanding these will help us to live by example. We will never be proud of what we think we have.

 

To His Apostles

 

YOU MAY READ: IN THE MIDST OF STORM

 

Jesus later pointed the same question to his apostles: Who do you say that I am?”

 

1. If we were to read that verse literally it would say something like, “But you, who do you say I am?”  let us not forget that these are his disciples, the people he has chosen. He is equipping them for the work ahead to be witnesses to the ends of the earth.  It’s absolutely paramount that they know who Jesus is, that they know Jesus’ identity in order to teach and evangelize effectively, for “No one gives what he doesn’t have”(Nemo dat quod non habet).

 

2. Peter answered that Jesus is the Christ the son of the Living God. This answer alone is enough to strengthen our faith in Him. If we truly know that Jesus is God and whatever He says is from God, we will keep His word, we will spend time with Him, we key into our daily program a time with Jesus.

 

3. In the second reading, Paul says that the wisdom and knowledge of God are rich. Every wisdom according to Job 12:13 comes from God and in 1 Corinthians 1:24, Paul referred to Jesus as the wisdom of God. 

 

When we understand that every wisdom comes from Him, and His wisdom led us to wherever we are, and every solution we try to put in, we will not boast of the little we have but in every humility approach him for more wisdom to succeed. 

 

 

4. At the beginning of St. John’s gospel, John says, In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:1-3).

 

This indicates that He made us who we are, He gave us positions and authority to serve him, but sometimes man forgets this and thinks he came into the world by his power and hence makes himself a god. Man forgets he will also go back as he came. 

 

 

5. Despite everything that happened to Job, one truth that strongly kept his faith is this “it is God that gives and takes away” (Job 1:21). Understanding Jesus, is also an awareness that In him, there is life. He is the light that no darkness could overcome( John 1:4). Even the life we have is given to us. To understand this is to tread with caution.

 

6. When Peter answered Jesus, I was expecting Jesus to clap for Him or praise Him. Jesus would have said “wow Peter, you are too much, you are a great man, Peter you can think”, etc but Jesus rather referred him back to the source of knowledge.

 

This is a reminder that whatever we think we possess or have, let us not forget the source. True knowledge comes from God. But sometimes when God gives us knowledge, we allow what we know to mislead us, instead of helping us.

 

Conclusion

1. In the gospel, Jesus told Peter “You are Peter and on this rock, I will build my church. And the gates of the underworld can never overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven: whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

 

The use of the key here signifies authority and power. The church makes reference to this, as the source of their authority through Peter.

 

This also points to the fact that the authority of the church comes from God. No one wakes up and starts building a church that will definitely trace its origin to Him or wakes up and begins to do whatever he likes. Every law, teachings, etc must have an apostolic background. 

 

2. it is God that uplifts and humbles (psalm 75:7). He removed Shebna and appointed Eliakim, in the Gospel, Jesus vests His authority on Peter and to the church. So do not use where you are or the position you occupy to do whatever you like. Always know that he who gave it to you must one day take it from you.

 

3. It is good also to note that in the presence of God we are nothing. Shebna is the same kind of man Jesus spoke about in Luke 12:16-21, in the parable of the rich fool. At last Shebna’s beautiful tomb, the glorious chariots became nothing.

 

When we lose the fact that we are nothing before God we continue to acquire wealth and do everything to be at a certain position, but towards the end, we come to understand that no earthly authority lasts forever.

 

When God has given you a chance to ascend a particular position, use it, and work for Him that generation upon generation will remember you.

 

 

4. Finally, it is good to sometimes pause and ask ourselves who we think we are. Understanding that we are mere creatures, understanding that no one lives on earth forever, understanding that your beauty, possession, positions amount to nothing when it comes to God, understanding that you will one day live this earth as you came will help us to be humble.

 

If you are a Christian; understanding your call as a Christian, understanding what Christianity really stands will make us live in love rather than hatred, it will save us from substituting salvation of souls over the quest for materialism and power.

 

Whatever we have, wherever we are, whoever we are going to be would have been given to another person but it came to you, do not think you are so special. Everything is by his grace, So stay faithful, remain inspired and be blessed.

May God bless you dearest. Happy Sunday