💖 HOMILY - NOVEMBER 3 💖

First Reading - Philippines 3:3-8

Gospel - Luke 15:1-10

The arrival of internet, social media and mass media have made the information accessable to all. The more information a persone has, the more recognized he or she becomes in the society. In the midst of surplus informations, we are invited by the readings to transcend the information of Jesus to the knowledge of Jesus or intimacy with Jesus.

The first reading reminds us that the knowledge of Christ is of supreme importance. Paul, speaking to the Christians in Philippe, reminds them that worship of God in Spirit inspired by the knowledge of Christ qualifies the real worship in contrast to the empty ritualistic practice (referring to the circumcision which was endorsed by some) which is void of the knowledge of Christ. He cites his own example that in his ignorance he best qualified as a circumcised Jew, as an ardent observer of the Law and as a suppressor of the aberrations of Judaism in the budding Christianity. However, he acknowledges that so-called the religious zeal of him paled before the knowledge of Christ. He realizes that knowledge of Christ or intimacy with Christ is more advantageous than empty practices of faith. Therefore, Paul exhorts the Christians to be stepped in the knowledge of Christ to experience the great advantage of it.

The gospel passage cites two beautiful parables of joy narrated by Jesus in response to the accusations of the Pharisees and the scribes because the sinners and tax collectors flocked to the company of Jesus. The parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin bacon to the same theme of joy on account of restoration. The restored sheep and the restored coin are the symbolism of the restoration of a sinner from his sinful life to a holy life. Jesus extends the examples to show that the sinners, when converted to God, bring great joy in heaven. Jesus shared the company of the sinners and tax-collectors (known as public sinners) leading them to the life of restoration through repentance. It is worth remarking that in both cases or the parables the initiative comes from the shepherd and housewife respectively. It shows that we do not save ourselves and the repentance is a favour of God.

Dear friends, the grace of knowing God and the grace of being converted to God are intimately connected. The knowledge of God doesn't mean some information about God but being intimately connected to God. Paul shares the same experience in the first reading; the experience of being connected to God. This gives him understanding that anything without Christ, which also means the religious practices or pieties, count nothing. This also challenges us to examine ourselves; whether our religious practices or pieties are inspired and motivated by the knowledge of Christ or not? We need to examine our actions; do they make us feel of the great advantage of my spiritual life? The thrust of the message of Paul is that the knowledge of Christ inspires everything towards what is advantages for the soul.

The grace of the knowledge of Christ also leads us to a change of life too; it's a complete U-turn to God. Jesus shows through the parable that his purpose on earth was to seek out the lost ones so that they come to know God. As a matter of fact, Jesus continues to seek out the lost ones through the Sacraments, His teachings, the Church and the scriptures. The purpose of the life of Jesus was to restore people to God and this is ultimately manifested in his own sacrifice on the cross. As members of the Church, the gospel reminds us that, in imitation to Jesus, we should work to bring the souls to God. It's a great responsibility entrusted to us.

May God assist us to grow in His knowledge day by day in order to renew ourselves in Christ.