CYCLE II: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 13TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: THE ENEMIES OF THE PROPHETS
BY: Fr. Ben Agbo
HOMILY: * Amos 7 : 10 – 17, Matt 9 : 1 – 8.
The enemies of the prophets of God are usually carnal minded people. They are usually sycophants ( who like to sabotage the prophet before the rulers), gossipers ( who like to misrepresent what the prophet has said) and maverick businessmen (who feel that the presence of the prophet threatens their sources of livelihood. I know a State where a ‘big politician’ was criticized by a ‘big man of God’ in a liturgical celebration and immediately, one of the PAs of the politician stood up to challenge and even attempt to fight the man of God. They see the prophet’s activities as mere business like theirs and so, they want to do away with him because he is a complete obstacle and a bore to them ( just like they see a business or political opponent). This was exactly what happened in today’s 1st reading between Amos and Amaziah the priest of Bethel.
But there is always a big difference between Occupation ( mere business), Profession (technical skills acquired) and Vocation ( Divine calling). Amos was a herdsman by occupation, a gardener ( dresser of Sycamore trees) by profession) and a Prophet by vocation. The enemies of the prophet did not understand this and called him a traitor. For this Amos was banished but he proved Amaziah wrong by performing a miracle of judgment against him.
In the gospel, we see that ‘Rise and Walk’ means exactly the same thing with ‘Take heart, my Son, your sins are forgiven’. The former is Physical healing while the latter is Spiritual healing. But the enemies of Jesus ( the Scribes) won’t understand this because they are carnal minded. They called him a blasphemer. He also proved them wrong immediately by his miracle of healing. The Sacrament of the Eucharist/ Reconciliation is the miracle of all miracles and the healing above all healings. It is the most important thing a ‘sick man’ needs but the enemies of Christ won’t allow us appreciate this. Christ shows us in today’s gospel that we should always seek the spiritual healing before physical healing.
May God bless you today!
