CATHOLIC HOMILY FOR THE 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (3)
CATHOLIC HOMILY FOR THE 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
THEME: We are Missionaries to the Modern World
BY: Fr. Chibuike Uwakwe
CATHOLIC HOMILY FOR THE 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
THEME: We are Missionaries to the Modern World
BY: Fr. Chibuike Uwakwe
HOMILY: Since the creation of the world, God has never ceased to make Himself present among His people. He has used and still uses Patriarchs, Kings, Prophets, Apostles, Priests and other ministers to make His presence felt in the world. In a special way, He is also making Himself present in the world through each and every one of us whom He has sent into the world. In the gospel reading (Mk. 6:7-13), Jesus made himself more present among the people by sending the Twelve apostles to them. Today, he has also sent you to the world as he did to the twelve. Your mandate remains the same with The Twelve; to evangelize the people and make things better for them, but through various approaches; as medical doctors, engineers, teachers, lawyers, labourers, priests, etc. He has given you the authority over every obstacle and has charged you with the responsibility of making the world a better place. Thus, we are missionaries to the modern world.
The rhetorical questions for us today are: How do we fulfill our mission in the world? How have we made the presence of Christ who has sent us into the world felt among His people? How have we contributed to the alleviation of people’s problems and made the world a better place to live? Do we work in a manner that depict our collaboration to work for the good of humanity after the mind of Christ who went about doing good? Have we preached the Good News through our life styles? As students, farmers, health workers, traders, priests, religious, seminarians, etc, what motivates our mission among the people of God? Are we like Amaziah in the first reading (Amos 7:12-15) who thinks that our mission or vocation is solely to earn money? Unlike him, let us be disposed like Amos to see our work or vocation as a calling from God and so be disposed to co-operate with His divine will for humanity.
Beloved friends, no matter how difficult your calling or work may be or how despondent you may be, the second reading (Eph 1:3-14) assures you that God chose you to do that even before the world was made. For this reason, He chose us in Christ as His adopted sons and daughters. He gave us the free gift of His beloved through whom we receive forgiveness of sins and the riches of God’s graces. So be assured that you can always find help and grace from God through Jesus Christ when you are in need instead of taking undue advantage of your work/vocation. Be sincere in your business deals and do not charge more than what is fair for your services. Some of us try to take advantage of strangers or those who are not familiar with our businesses to sell substandard products at the cost of the original.
Lastly, to my dear seminarians on apostolic work especially those beginning theirs on this Sunday, God is also addressing you directly in today’s readings. Like Amos in the 1st reading, be reminded that you have not called yourselves; rather, God has called you to go and prophesy to His people. Let the people be your target and not the bread that comes from the people. They have prepared to receive you so be prepared to work for them. The second reading reminds you that God’s grace is always available for you. Through this grace, we all have been redeemed and you have to cooperate with this grace in helping our people appreciate and live out the Good News of salvation. The gospel reading reminds you of the missionary nature of your work. Do not expect the whole world to welcome you, rather, be disposed for obstacles on the way which you will surmount by the grace of God. Therefore, do not be afraid. Do not entertain the people but preach repentance. Also, remember to keep behind all useless anxieties, worries and possessions that would distract you so that at the end, you will come back with success stories. May the Good Lord bless and crown your efforts with success. Amen. God loves you. Happy Sunday.
Fr. Chibuike Uwakwe
