CYCLE II: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)

CYCLE II: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: ‘EAT’ AND LIVE BY GOD’S WORD

BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU

HOMILY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT CLARE VIRGIN AND MARTYR
READINGS: EZEKIEL 2:8-3:4, PSALM 119, MATTHEW 18:1-5.10.12-14
Beloved in Christ, time and again we, today’s Christians have heard the word of God preached to us; yet, all too often, we don’t savour its sweetness either because we don’t assimilate and incorporate it into our whole being or we don’t obey it. This being the case, it becomes a discomforting thorn in our flesh. Ordinarily, the word of God gives life (Prov. 3:1) and he/she who finds it has life and health (Prov. 4:22) because his words are spirit and life (Jn. 6:63). However, to the man or woman who wouldn’t live by this word in stark obedience, to the child of God who wouldn’t allow this word permeate his innermost being, to the sinful and worldly minded; the word of God proves to be difficult, stringent, discomforting etc.

Today therefore is an invitation to make God’s word part of us and savour its riches and sweetness. It is a call to obey it come what may so as to reap its fruits. When we understand God’s word properly, we wouldn’t have issues with being humble as children, we wouldn’t despise or treat inhumanly, the little ones, the weak, less privileged, poor, old and sick. We would understand that the aforementioned are dear to God’s heart and welcoming and treating them well means serving God.

Saint Clare, a contemporary of Francis of Assisi, Foundress and superior of the Poor Clares loved God’s word, lived and died by same. She followed Jesus’ way of the Cross by living a very austere life; a life that was full of works of piety and charity. Of her was written: “Clare was noble by birth, more noble in spirit; virgin in body, most chaste in mind; young in age, advanced in judgement; constant in doing good, espoused always to divine love, wise and at the same time humble, famous by name, more famous by her life and most famous by her manners.” She lived in perpetual poverty but was rich in spirit. She prayed everyday for the sick and often cured them with the sign of the Cross.

May God’s word be a lamp guiding our steps and the light of our souls.

EMULATE SAINT CLARE, LOVE AND CATER FOR THE POOR