The letter to the Hebrew we just listened to sounds very much apocalyptic in nature. Some of those apocalyptic concepts are: flaming fire; blare of the trumpet; heavenly Jerusalem; gathering of Angels in thousands; glad assembly; a register in heaven with names; God and Judgement, mediator of the new covenant. This is to mention but a few.
A critical examination of this particular text reveals that it is not only apocalyptic in nature but much more, it is a contrast between the Old Testament and the New Testament.ย This contrast highlights in particular the occasion when the first commandment was given to Moses on Mount Sinai and the new covenant made possible by Jesus Christ, the mediator.
The passage before us this evening evokes some kind of anxiety and discomfort. In this regard, this passage is to be understood against the backdrop of Deuteronomy 5:23. Deuteronomy 5:23 tells how people of God were so afraid to hear the voice of God. They often preferred that Moses communicated to them whatever God would tell him.
However, a closer look at these apocalyptic concepts not only evoke fear but simply emphasise the joy we shall all experience when we shall see God face to face, on the day of the Lord, at the time and day of glorification, at the culmination of all seasons, time, and ages. Prophet Isaiah says, โOn this mountain the Lord of Host shall prepare for us a rich banquetโ (Isaiah 25:6).
The book of Hebrew describes the moment thus: โWhat you have come to is Mount Sion, the City of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem where millions of Angels have gathered for the festival. The book further emphasises, โYou have come to God himself, the supreme judge.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I am sure the above picture painted about the New Jerusalem is not a bad one. Who among us here will not want to live in the City of God? If we desire to live or even visit big cities of the world, why would anyone not desire to live in the city of God? In this City, everyone is a first born son. In this City of God, there is equality. There are equal rights, privileges and mutual opportunities.
The social atmosphere as described here tells us about the joy of being in Godโs presence and the beauty of heaven. Being in the presence of God is such a joyful and graceful moment to which we should remain grateful to God. At this moment, this hour of adoration prefigures that heavenly moment in the City of God. It is a moment of encounter with the divine, our Lord Jesus Christ. I invite each of you to open up your heart to this divine reality as we adore him in the Blessed Sacrament. Those who truly open up to him receive true peace, reconciliation, forgiveness of sins, and ultimately the grace to courageously face the challenges of this world.
I am trying very hard not to talk about death. People donโt always want to hear about the hour of their death. However, the reality is that if we desire this heavenly City of God, we must also accept the fact that there is a passage without which we cannot partake of this heavenly comfort. The process and access to this heavenly comfort is nothing but dying to a new life in Christ. It remains true to say that, Life here on earth can be very comfortable for many of us, but there is a better place in the City of God for each and every one of us.
This is the strong message the book of Hebrew teaches us this evening. This is the reality we are encouraged to accept because if you are 50 years and above, for instance, there is hardly a guarantee that you may live in this world for the next 50 years. It is correct to say that you have indeed spent the better part of your life already. This is the simple logic for the sages, the wi
Brothers and sisters, let me on a lighter note but with all seriousness seize this opportunity to make a confession and prayer request to God. The confession is that as a matter of fact, two weeks to this Conference, as a new Bishop to the Conference, I knew Fr. Banjo was going to call me and request either I preside over this evening’s benediction or read the communique because this has been the custom for new bishops as a way of liturgically welcoming them to the CBCN. So, when Fr. Banjo eventually called as I anticipated and asked if I would be disposed to preside over this benediction, I was quite pleased.
However, after going through the reading we just listened to, I saw that it was very apocalyptic in nature with very strong concepts of heaven, and city of God. And as you all know, I have just been ordained Bishop. Today I am exactly two months and eleven days old. I am still learning how to take off my skull cap, when to put it back on my head, when to let go of the crosier and when to expect it back, when to be told to stand and sit liturgically, and that I haven’t ordained any priest yet. Then I asked myself, do I desire this heavenly city now? The answer was, NO! not NOW.
At this point I was truly lost in my thoughts. I said to myself, But if God wants you to experience this heavenly City now, what will you do? I replied, I will beg God to grant me more years. Then another thought came, but if God insists it’s now, what will you do? I replied, I will still please further and request humbly of him to find out from my other senior brother Bishops in the province, perhaps someone may just be more prepared for the heavenly experience than myself.
While I was thinking of all of these, I also had sympathies for the Nuncio and the rest of you bishops. Will you want to begin yet another tedious process of scouting for a new bishop for Katsina- Ala Diocese at this point in time?
Let me seize this opportunity and request of you to pray for me that God will grant me good health of mind and body, Amen.
In all, St Paul reminds us in Romans 14: 8 โ None of us lives to himself and none of us dies to himself, if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord, So then whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lordโs.โ
Finally, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is instructive to note in all seriousness that what matters in life is good neighbourliness, sincere love of God and love of humanity. Surely, the fundamental principles of the Catholic Social Teaching provides for us a sure guide for this heavenly home. We must work towards respect for one anotherโs dignity and action towards the lost, wounded, disadvantaged, those disconnected with family and friends, the poor and vulnerable.
We need also to intensify our efforts to working towards a society that safeguards the common good of all, and in solidarity with others even as we must be disposed to support one another in love to attain one’s full potentials. it is encouraging to also work towards ensuring that the next generation is better than our present age in order to enhance their participation, and comfort in the world they find themselves.
Like the psalmist, we say, Lord, โteach us to number the shortness of our days that we may gain wisdomโ (Psalm 90:12).
As the new week begins, we ask God to bless the work of our hands, Amen.
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