Readings: Kings 18:20-39; Psalm 16; Matthew 5:17-19.
Greetings of peace dear family of God’s people.
Our first reading is so dramatic and very intriguing. It is an account of the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. A contest that revealed that Baal was a fraud and the God of Elijah is the true God.
The Prophet of Baal prayed with patience, passion, energy and devotion, they even cut themselves to attract its pity, sadly it amounted to nothing because Baal was only an imaginary god, its prophets had faith and zeal but they didn’t have a real God.
Elijah did not have to pray for more than one minute, God responded powerfully.
Let us ponder on these three messages from today’s reading;
I. All religions are not the same
Some people say that all religions are the same, it does not matter who or what you worship. From the encounter today, we have seen that it matters who you worship; if you worship a god or goddess of your creation like many religions today, it is futile and it cannot lead to salvation.
Only the God of Jesus Christ is the true God, He is the only real God who saves. This was the message of St Paul to the Athenians in Acts 17:16-34.
II. God answers prayers:
Elijah called upon God and God answered Him. God is in heaven watching the drama between Elijah and the prophets of Baal and I guess He was also laughing away. When Elijah called, He responded immediately.
Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in heaven, He does whatever He pleases.” That is, He is real and able, nothing is too hard for Him and He neither sleeps not slumbers. He is always available (Psalm 121:4) and He listens to all our prayers.
Someone told me yesterday, “Father, I always pray for you but I don’t know if God listens to my prayers.”
Dear friends, we have a God in heaven that listens to us and He answers prayers.
III. Righteousness makes a prayer more efficacious.
Elijah tried to live righteously before God and God honoured his prayers. He prayed a short prayer and received an extraordinary response.
Even though, God answers our prayers and doesn’t treat us as we deserve, however, the prayer of a righteous person, someone who tries to be faithful to God and live obediently, someone who is God-fearing and honours the Lord by his/her life, the prayers of such people avail much (James 5:16).
Why? Jesus tells us in today’s gospel that such persons because they honour God; they are honoured and considered great in the kingdom of heaven.
Sermon Preached by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Okami on June 10, 2020.