Peter ESANMAH

 

Fr Bonaventure in his homily at Holy Trinity, Aba Panu asked all: “Are we gather as brothers and sisters in faith, drawn together by the timeless truth that God does not rule over us as a distant king with iron chains, but as a loving Father who invites us into a relationship built on trust and freedom? He has given us laws not to bind our hands, but to guide our steps; not to limit our lives, but to lead us to fullness of joy. Through Moses and the prophets of old, He spoke to His chosen people; through His Son Jesus Christ, He speaks to us now – revealing not just what to do, but why we do it.”

 

Fr Bonaventure explained that the first reading emphasized human freedom. God places "fire and water" and "life and death" before us; whatever we choose will be given to us. Hence, God makes it clear that whatever choice we make in life has its consequences. If we choose to obey his laws, we shall be happy. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

 

He explained further that what Jesus meant here is that He has come to tell us the true meaning of the law. For Jesus, there were foundational principles behind every commandment – RESPECT and REVERENCE. Reverence for God and respect for our fellow human beings. Reverence for the holy name of God and for God’s sacred day. Respect for parents, for the gift of life, for property, and for another person’s good name. Behind the Ten Commandments – indeed, behind all of Scripture – lie these two great pillars: reverence for our Creator and respect for our neighbors.

 

Fr Bonaventure said the law was never meant to be a cold list of rules to be checked off. It is a map that leads us to the heart of God, showing us how to live in harmony with Him and with one another. When we embrace this truth, obedience becomes not a burden, but a joyful response to the love God has shown us.

 

The Priest gave us the practical application to follow:

 

- Each day, take a moment to reflect on one commandment and ask: “How does this teach me to honor God and care for others?”

- When you encounter a difficult teaching, seek to understand its purpose rather than just following it out of duty.

- Share the wisdom of God’s law with others not through judgment, but through the example of your life.

 

Fr Bonaventure said In the Greek language, there are two distinct words for anger that help us understand Jesus’ teaching:

- Thumos: This is like a flame that blazes up quickly from dry wood and just as quickly dies down. It is anger that arises in the moment but passes away without leaving a mark.

- Orgē: This is deep-rooted anger – the kind we nurse and keep warm in our hearts, refusing to let it fade off. It is this persistent, bitter anger that Jesus warns will bring us before the judgment seat.

 

Fr Bonaventure said Jesus is teaching us profound principles of forgiveness and sacrifice:

 

Sacrifice cannot atone for a deliberate sin – no offering, no matter how costly, can make up for harm we have caused or bitterness we hold onto.

Effective sacrifice includes confession of sin and true penitence – our worship is only meaningful when our hearts are right with God and with others.

 

Fr Bonaventure further explained that we should think of how many families in our communities are torn apart because of unforgiveness – brothers and sisters who have vowed never to speak to each other again. You may bring twenty million naira as an offering to God, but that sacrifice cannot be accepted if you refuse to let go of resentment. Reconciliation and forgiveness are the keys that unlock the blessing of God in our lives.

 

The Priest said reconciliation is a divine act that releases the giver from bitterness and restores broken relationships. It is what makes families stand strong through storms. Forgiveness is not about pretending the hurt never happened – it is about choosing to stop holding it against the person who caused it.

Fr Bonaventure explained the benefits of Forgiveness:

 

It brings freedom and liberation – just as Jesus forgave those who crucified Him, Stephen forgave his stoners, Paul found freedom from his past, and Nelson Mandela emerged from prison without bitterness. We see this too in Genesis 50:20, when Joseph said to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”

It brings grace and peace – the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 reminds us that when we forgive, we open the door to restoration and celebration.

It brings understanding, cooperation, and happiness – where there is forgiveness, walls come down and communities thrive.

 

 Lastly Fr Bonaventure said in our world today, where promises are often broken and words are used to deceive, Jesus calls us to a higher standard of integrity. Our word should be trustworthy enough that we don’t need elaborate oaths to prove it. Honesty and integrity should mark everything we say and do. When we make oaths to emphasize our truthfulness, we risk putting our trust in our words rather than in God, who sees the sincerity of our hearts. A life lived with integrity means that people know they can count on us – whether we are making a business deal in the markets of Lagos, promising to help a friend, or committing to our families.