CYCLE II: HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (2)

CYCLE II: HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: Who does your soul look for at its sober moments; does it seeking for unity?

BY: Rev. Fr. Callistus Emenyonu, cmf

HOMILY: READINGS: Songs of Solomon 3: 1-4, Ps 63, John 20: 1-2, 11-18

The Church celebrates the Memorial of St Mary Magdalene today. She was famous in the scriptures because much have been ascribed to her even some that are guess work and some that are not even true of her. She has been said to be the woman of whom Jesus cast out seven Demons. She was said to be the woman caught in adultery and many other stories attributed to her. Suffice it to say that her past history is irrelevant to her present saintly state where she is now a celebrity and as one that the Church asks for her intercession. Her life gives eloquent testimony of how a sinner can repent and totally turn to God becoming a useful instrument to reckon with. The readings of today speak about her especially the song of love of the first reading that portrays the heart of Mary Magdalene towards Jesus Christ.

Beloved, like Mary Magdalene every strenuous effort must be made to persistently look for God. Our life and soul must sing the love music that the song of songs of Solomon sang in the first reading. God must be the object of our love and being so, we are not to have peace or rest when he is not with us or far from us. For our happiness and peace we must seek union with him and strive to be with him always. A true and fervent search of the soul must go for God remembering the famous saying of St Augustine that our souls would not find rest until they rest in God. This is truly so as you see the persistence and devotion with religiosity that the (subject), person of the Song of Songs searched for him. People are to know who really their soul, heart and whole being longs for.

We should not hide it from the knowledge of people around us and people we encounter that this is our object of search in this world. We have to seek assistance of people in finding him where we know we cannot get to him by ourselves and easily too like the persona of the love poem did. He asked: Have you seen him whom my soul loves? Beloved, we cannot be wearied, discouraged, tired or disappointed for not discovering and possessing him easily or for long. What matters is that he would be found and union with him made at last because of our true and persistent search. Let the love we have of him keep us restless till we find him, that inner desire must motivate us and be our driving force as a man ceaselessly goes after his lover or fiancé. No matter the distance of her habitation and the stress we go through, we never give up till we find her and become united with her, so shall our longing for God be. We must be troubled when everything about him and getting to him goes amiss. We like Mary Magdalene must weep that he cannot be found and that a foul play has been made obstructing our discovery of him.

Beloved, like Mary Magdalene, we must search for him till we meet the angels who would help us reach him. Invoke the angels for assistance to get to Jesus and ask them where he can be found like Mary Magdalene did: Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. There is nothing that love cannot make us to do for the one we love. Mary Magdalene has the strength of love to carry alone the dead body of the stout and huge Jesus to a place of honour and dignity. Not even death could separate her from Jesus who she loves. As you look for Jesus do not allow your desperation or anxiety blind you and make you not to recognize him when you see him. Mar’s desperation, tears, anxiety and troubled heart blinded her from recognizing the one she loves and sought. Recognise his voice whenever he calls you. He has a name which is so keen to his heart and he calls you by that at the hard moments of your anxiety.

Be disposed and hear him when he calls. Mary Magdalene recognised him and answered “Raboni” and you should do same because he is the master of your life. When he finally comes to you, he would send you on a mission and so do not hesitate to be his disciple by reaching out to his brothers and sisters out there with the message of joy and salvation, of hope and blessing. Be a Mary Magdalene for those in pain and disappointment and in fear; those who locked themselves up due to circumstances of life and those who feel hopeless. Restore their joy and tell them to wait for Jesus who would soon make a visit to them. Be this messenger of hope.

Let your soul thirst for God like dry weary land at dawn and at noon, at day time and at night. Let his loving mercy that is better than life meet you as your lips speak of his praise. God be the strength of your people who earnestly search for you and make yourself available to those who sincerely look for you, Amen.

Rev. Fr. Callistus Emenyonu, cmf