24TH TUESDAY HOMILY OF ORDINARY TIME: YEAR A
24TH TUESDAY HOMILY OF ORDINARY TIME: YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: TRUE LEADERSHIP
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali
Today, the Church commemorates two friends in the service of Christ and His Church, St. Cornelius, Pope and Martyr, and St. Cyprian, bishop, and martyr. Pope Cornelius (251- 253), a Roman, was the twenty-first Pope during the reign of the Emperor Gallud and Volusian. He opposed Novatian, the first anti-pope, who believed that apostates who repented could not be forgiven. Helped by St. Cyprian, St. Cornelius confirmed his papal authority. He was beheaded in exile at Civitavecchia, Italy, in 253 AD. Sts. Cyprian and cornelius are mentioned in the Roman Canon (Eucharist Prayer I) of the Mass.
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Today’s readings present certain aspects of what ministry is all about – servant-leader. St. Paul in the first reading (1 Tm. 3: 1-13) gives advice to his colleague and protégé (Timothy) on how to choose and recognize those who are to be servant-leaders within the community at Ephesus. The offices for service mentioned here are: “episcopos” – “bishop” or “overseer”; “diaconoi” – “deacons”, “servants” or “ministers”; and “gynaikas” – “women” leaders. Despite having different roles to play in the life of the faith community, to be chosen, they all must be dedicated, faithfully living out their Christian faith, moderate in all behaviour and of good repute in their family life. The words of the Psalmist corroborate this: “He who walks in the way of integrity shall be in my service” (Ps. 101: 6). Of what “standing” am I as one called to serve?
In the gospel (Luke 7: 11-17), Jesus gives an example of what true leadership is all about in His compassionate raising of the dead son of a widow in the city of Nain.
Dear friends, we are all called into service of one another. Jesus was deeply moved with compassion, that is, identified with the pain and suffering of this widow. How do I respond to the misfortune or suffering of others?
I pray as we journey in life today, we will serve as channels of divine visitation by being compassionate towards others in our dealings. May the integrity of life be our guide to Christian living. Have a compassionate-full day!
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