FR. GERALD MUSA HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 25TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II (1)

FR. GERALD MUSA HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 25TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II

THEME: SUFFERING AND GLORY

BY: FR GERALD M. MUSA

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24 2022

Jesus preached the word with authority; he healed people even from a distance; he made the deaf hear and the dumb speak; he made the blind see and cripples walk; he did what no human person could do by raising the dead to life. Towards the end of his ministry, he repeatedly predicted his impending passion and death to prepare the minds of his disciples. He said, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised (Luke 9:22). Again, he said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men” (Luke 9:43-44). The disciples could not believe a miracle-working messiah could also be a suffering messiah. Similarly, they could not imagine that one who overpowered demons could be delivered into the hands of men. They wondered how a man with such enormous powers would voluntarily subject himself to the cruelty and inhumanity of mere mortals. Ultimately, Jesus teaches us four major lessons: First, that an innocent person could be victimized by wicked people; second that the victory of evil over good is temporary; third, that suffering and humiliation are the gateways to glory, and, fourth, that death is the path that leads to everlasting life. Do we always remember there is no crown without a cross?

LUKE 9:43B-45