23RD THURSDAY HOMILY FOR ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B

23RD THURSDAY HOMILY FOR ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: BE KIND TO THE UNKIND

BY: Fr. Paul Karabari

1 Cor 8:1b-7, 11-13 (Gal 4:4-7); Psalm 139:1b-3, 13-14, 23-24; Luke 6:27-38 (1:39-47)

‘Do good to those who hate you.’

A good life is not always an easy life. What it requires may run against what our instincts want. The Gospel of today (Luke 6:27-38) contains a message we should keep to our hearts. We must learn to avoid strife. Strife wreaks havoc in relationships. It often stems from an inflated ego and leads to comparing, competing, and condemning. James points that out: ‘Where…strife is, there is…every evil work’ (James 3:16). So be a strife-spotter! The moment it rears its ugly head, uproot it! ‘Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many’ (Hebrews 12:15).

ALSOM RECOMMENDED: 23RD THURSDAY HOMILY FOR ORDINARY TIME

We must try to live in harmony with others. Is that always easy? No, but the sooner you learn to do it, the better things will go for you. When God prompts you to ‘turn the other cheek’, or ‘take the short end of the stick’, draw on His grace and do it. Pray: ‘Lord, give me Your wisdom in this situation.’ He will.

‘The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and…good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness’ (James 3:17-18).

When we have been criticised or offended by someone, speaking well of them is usually the last thing we want to do. If we have been hurt by their words, we can often want to retaliate with our words. But, unsurprisingly, this is not what we are being called to do. Jesus tells us to ‘Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.’ It takes character, compassion, and courage to be able to do this. At times, it may seem almost impossible. But with God’s help, we can be the bigger person in the situation.

The Scripture says, ‘Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.’ (Proverbs 10:12). When you hold on to resentment, it feels like there is a war going on inside you. You are in a battle with yourself, as well as others. And the more you fight, the more ground you lose. Arguing just drains you of energy and leaves you more hurt and angry. You are in a no-win situation. You struggle with who is right and who is wrong. You spend so much time trying to out-do, out-shout, and out-manoeuvre others that you lose your peace and joy. End the conflict now! Refuse to live this way another day. Don’t allow someone’s actions to determine your reactions. ‘Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’ (1 Peter 5:8). Don’t become Satan’s next meal. Let the love and peace of God fill your mind so much that it overflows to others; including those who have upset you.

Stop and think: Do you really want to be like the person who hurt you? What would Jesus do? You know! He would turn the other cheek ( Matthew 5:39). ‘But,’ you ask, ‘what about the wrong done to me?’ What about it? It is not for you to impose judgment. There is only one qualified judge; let Him handle it (see James 4:12). Ask God to help you to release your anger, turn the other cheek, and forgive the one who has done you wrong. Pray this simple prayer: ‘Lord, I am angry. Help me to let it go. I choose to be merciful. Thank You for giving me the grace to forgive the person who hurt me and to follow You through Christ Our Lord Amen.

While we can’t control how other people act towards us, we are responsible for our own actions, and we can choose to meet all unkindness with respect and kindness. We can choose to be kind without expecting kindness back. Even one kind word can change someone’s day. ‘Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up’ (Proverbs 12:25). GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May God have mercy on us, heal our world, bless and protect us all through Christ our Lord Amen.

FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>

Dear friends in Christ, We have been sustained by your Charity for the past 11years. Here we are saddled with annual bills. Please, be kind to us with your donation. Click on the “Donate” button to get started. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!