CYCLE II: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (2)

CYCLE II: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: OUR GOD IS LOVING AND CARING

BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU

HOMILY: READINGS: HOSEA 11:1-4.8-9, PSALM 80, MATTHEW 10:7-15

The first reading portrays God as a good father who LOVES, TEACHES, CARES, LEADS AND FEEDS his children. It further shows God as a loving father who wouldn’t abandon his children ‘come what may’. In other words, God is depicted here as one who hates sin but loves the sinner and would never GIVE UP ON HIM/HER. What a wonderful God we have; one whose heart “recoils within and whose compassion grows warm and tender. A God who wouldn’t unleash his fierce anger on his sons and daughters (Hos. 11:8-9). This gives me reason to understand why Pope Francis opined during the Extraordinary Year of Mercy that “The name of God is MERCY”.

As parents, guardians, tutors or elders, we know how recalcitrant, rebellious, rude and ill mannered our children or young ones can be. There are situations when we even disown others, a consequence of their disobedience. Now, can we imagine how heartbroken, pained and disappointed God is everyday second d to the unresponsiveness of his ultimate creature, man to his love? Can we picture how merciful, kind, loving and patient God is? God never forsakes his own (Ps. 94:14); even if a mother forget her infant, God will never forget us (Isa. 49:15). Now we understand why he sent his only Son into the world so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life (Jn. 3:16).

Beloved friends, when you’re thinking about divorcing your wayward spouse, remember that God doesn’t divorce us who are obviously wayward. When a father or mother considers disowning his or her disobedient child; he may want to remember that God never disowns his own. Rather, he nurtures, chastises and re-admit his fallen children. In a nutshell, we may want to remember in whose image we have been made and strive to be perfect as he is (Mat. 5:48). Today simply is a call to imitate God’s love.

When we imitate God’s loving nature, we will gladly advance the mission and ministry of the twelve apostles by bettering the lives of the sick, assisting the aged and weak; working for the common good of all and so on. When we strive to imitate God’s love then charity is no longer burdensome, it becomes a source of joy. We may do well to selflessly go about our lives having but one goal in mind – INSTANTIATING GOD’S LOVING KINGDOM HERE ON EARTH; HELP THE POOR AROUND YOU.