CYCLE II: HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 24TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)
CYCLE II: HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 24TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: LOVE, THE ANTIDOTE TO THE WORLD’S POISON
BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU
HOMILY: MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CORNELIUS (POPE) AND CYPRIAN (BISHOP), MARTYRS.
READINGS: 1CORINTHIANS 12:31-13:13, PSALM 33, LUKE 7:31-35
The world is poisoned by hate, vice, evils of corruption, terrorism, manslaughter, character defamation, wars etc. The only antidote to these poisons is love. God is Love Himself (1Jn 4:8) and his creatures cannot but love and so, heal our sickened world.
Can we talk about the fact that the expedience of love in our society today is unrivaled? A careful gaze at the various facets of our society will make us wonder if love is really existent. I say this with utmost conviction because of the raging injustices, wars, hatred, animosity, terror and etc. prevalent in today’s world. The menaces of wars, dissensions, evils etc. existent in our world today are pointers to the fact that love is absent. That governments of the world care less about the welfare of their masses; that employers, land owners/lords, masters etc treat those under them with discord and wickedness only affirms that love is lacking. The need for this simple yet all important gift, love, cannot be overemphasized. Humanity need love, individually too we need love, for with love, things fall in line (as they should be). This day and beyond therefore, LOVE is or should be our gift; one to all, all to one.
Let’s talk about love in relation to our brethren; Love that tolerates the flaws and unkind attitude of others, love that rejoices at the wellbeing and success of a brethren, love that seeks justice, equality, peace and truth. Today, dearly beloved, let’s talk about the presence of love in a world full of hate, envy, malice, jealousy and enmity; the kind of love that endures with patience whatever comes its way. With a love such as this in place, war would relegate itself, hate evil scheming against one another will go into extinction and happiness and homely dwelling will reign supreme. What a world that would be!
Let’s talk about love that is perpetual, love that outlives every gift there was, is and will ever be. Man comes to mind here, he/she should be loved, cared for and cherished; he/she should never be used or treated in any less human way. Let’s define love based on the command of Christ in John 15:12 “Love one another as I have loved you.” Love then translates to Charity”. This is so because love has to be expressed and with charity, love is best expressed. It is the most important virtue (1Cor. 13:13, Col. 3:14). It is the great commandment of God; “Thou shall love God and thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt. 22:37-39). The love in question is what we call “Agape”, selfless love, the love that is unconditional and is expressed without counting any cost, lost or gains. The love that moved God the Son to put aside His kingly and divine nature, to embrace human nature in humility and save man by laying down his life. (Jn. 15:13).
May we talk about love, love that is curative; for the world is sickened by hate, corruption, injustice and marginalization of the weak by the strong and LOVE seems the only ANTIDOTE that can stop the world from decaying. Everything rises and falls on love; so, let’s LIVE, THINK, and ACT only in love. May Saints Cornelius and Cyprian pray for us. Amen.
LOVE THE POOR AND CATER FOR THEM
