23RD THURSDAY HOMILY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
23RD THURSDAY HOMILY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
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)
Tough challenges for us today through St. Paul and Our Lord. We are called to imitate God’s generous mercy and forgiveness. God, from whom and in whom we receive life and existence, created us in His own image. Our commitment to mercy, forgiveness, and subordinating our ego to His will for the sake of others reenact that image.
ALSO RECOMMENDED: 23RD THURSDAY HOMILY OF ORDINARY TIME
Our Lord, Jesus, through whom we are and exist, already exemplified the imitation of God for us, and demands that we follow his footsteps by dealing mercifully and prayerfully with enemies and those who persecute us; by refraining from rash judgment and condemnation, and by raising our behavioral levels above and beyond known societal conventions. St. Paul’s warning against scandalizing others with our freedom and knowledge must be taken seriously, despite being convinced that there is no sin in what we are doing. Summarily, we must treat others as God treats us; because God would treat us according to how we treat others. Our measure of others’ worth defines God’s measure of what we deserve. The motif and drive for these demands rest on love: God’s love for us and our reciprocal/corresponding love for God and neighbor. Such love builds and never tears down. We celebrate the Holy Name of Mary today: the Angel taught us to call that name reverently and we do so daily as we pray the “Hail Mary!” That name encompasses the entire identity of Mary as Mother of God, Mother of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, Mother of the Church, faithful servant and handmaid of the Father, first disciple of her beloved Son, etc. Mary’s Name and what we honor today is who God made her in the history of salvation and her role in the mystery of the Incarnation. We thank God always for Mary’s YES to God; let us also imitate her faith, open heart, obedience, love, kindness, dependability, and stewardship by saying YES to God daily in all that is demanded of us. May she continue to intercede for her children, who honor her ceaselessly.
Lord, teach us to be more like you daily. Amen.
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer; Pray for Us.
FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>
Dear friends in Christ, Your support for the past 12years has kept us going. We ask you to support us with your donations to enable us to upset our “annual bills”. Our priests are willing to offer Holy Masses for your Private Intentions. May you Click on “Next”, or the “Donate” button to get started. God bless you!!!
