This Sunday’s refresh is based on the following readings: Ezekiel 18:21-28; Psalm 130; Matthew 5:20-26
In Matthew 14:29-30, Peter, at the command of Jesus, started walking on the sea. Suddenly, he shifted focus from the Lord to the sea and then he began to sink.
This seems to be the story of so many people. They started well with the Lord but then they lost focus, they drifted and they drowned.
The Bible is replete with examples of such people, for instance, King Saul, King Asa, King Solomon, Judas, etc.
Our First Reading of today tells us that God is not as interested in how we started as He is in whom or where we are now. I have met many people who told me about their past relationship with God, their involvement in the Church and mission, their past devotion, zeal and fire, their sacramental life when they were young but not any more.
Dear friends, the Lord warns us, just as He warned His people during the time of Ezekiel, against backsliding, against drifting and drowning.
In the Gospel of today, He warns us against righteousness, following the behaviour of the scribes and Pharisees. We may wonder what’s the connection. Here it is – the scribes and the Pharisees lost focus. They shifted their focus from faithfulness to God to seeking praise and recognition. They were motivated by the love of power and the desire for attention.
Today, people drift and drown for the same fundamental reason – loss of focus. Many have stopped looking at the Lord and started mourning the cross they are given. The kingdoms of the world distract some and some are simply discouraged. Some are distracted by pride, love of pleasure, people’s opinion, praise and criticism.
Dear friends, may we keep our eyes on the Lord, on the goal, on the one who has called us to faithfulness. May we run as those who wish to obtain the prize.
Lord Jesus, keep my eyes on you. May I not look back to the world, may my love not grow cold and may I not fall on the way. Save me Lord from drifting and drowning.
This Sunday’s refresh is a sermon preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on March 11, 2022