3RD SUNDAY HOMILY OF THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR C

3RD SUNDAY HOMILY OF THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR C

HOMILY THEME: THE WORD OF GOD AND THE UNITY OF CHRISTIANS

BY: Fr. Casmir Nkamuke

Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:12-30, Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21

On 30th September 2019, the Holy Father Pope Francis, in his pastoral letter “Apperuit Illis” instituted the 3rd Sunday of the Ordinary Time of the Year as the Sunday of the Word of God. This reminds us that the Word of God is invaluable to the life of every Christian. The readings of today emphasise the value of the word of God and the need for unity among believers.

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In the first reading, the Word of God was read to the Israelites from morning till noon. Discovered during the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple, the scroll 📜 contained all that the Lord has commanded his people to do and to avoid for their salvation. It also contained the assurance that God will not abandon his people. The Israelites cried because they realised that their unfaithfulness to their covenant with God may have cost them the rewards God promised to their ancestors. Ezra however urged them to celebrate and make merry because, despite their unfaithfulness and sins, God loved them and has not abandoned them.

Using the analogy of the body and its many parts, St. Paul admonishes Christians to work more in unity for the growth of the Church which is the body of Christ. Every member of this body is as important as the other and of inestimable value. All members of the Church ought to have one goal– the growth of the Church. There is no room for the pursuit of personal fame in the Church. All we do is for Christ’s sake and to God’s glory. The exact meaning of each biblical text is also properly understood when attention is paid to the unity of the whole Scriptures.

In the gospel, Jesus presents himself as the fulfilment of all the laws and prophets of the Scriptures. The Word of God does not only condemn and exhort, it also encourages and liberates. Christ brings good news to the poor, liberates the captives, gives sight to the blind, and frees the oppressed. Christ is God’s Word made flesh. Anyone who nourishes himself with the Word of God gets the support and strength he needs to overcome the challenges the world present. Rejecting and undervaluing the word of God deprives us from the joy of God-experience.

Beloved in God, the rate of division and pursuit of selfish interest in our society is on the increase. Of more concern is that the Word of God, which should unite us, is being used to justify divisions and egocentrism. We are reminded today that we gain more and achieve more when we work for a common goal than when we strive for selfish interests. We are also reminded that no member of society is less human than the other. Whether one is poor or rich, healthy or sickly, influential or not, we all share a common patrimony in the image of God.

The Word of God is alive and active. It exhorts, condemns, encourages, and comforts. We should form a habit nourishing ourselves with the word of God by reading at least one chapter of the Bible every day. In the bible, all truth necessary for our salvation is contained. We should also nourish ourselves with the catechetical teachings of the Church, which are drawn from the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Traditions. In the words of St. Jerome “Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of God!” Buy a Bible for yourself and your friend today.

May the good Lord who assures us of our liberation today give us reason to be cheerful and make merry after many years of oppression, exploitation, and insecurity occasioned by bad governance. May we realise each day that God is with us and that His promises will always be fulfilled in our lives.

Happy Sunday

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