HoHomily for Thursday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II (4)

Homily for Thursday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II

Theme: Jesus promises reward to anyone who cares for the ministers of the gospel.

By: Fr Francis Onwunali

Homily for Thursday February 24 2022

Two ineluctable words to summarize the readings of today are: “Arrogance” and “Caution”. We should allow the love of Christ to transform our hearts so as to treat our neighbour with loving-kindness and mercy.
In the first reading (James 5: 1-6), the Apostle James chides the arrogance and selfishness of those who trust in their wealth. The transitory nature of earthly wealth will eventually be the misery of those who cling tenaciously to earthly wealth and use it arrogantly to oppress the poor. “Your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire”.

Jesus in the gospel today (Mark 9: 41-50) promises reward to anyone who cares for the ministers of the gospel. He however, went on to warn anyone who will be a stumbling block or scandalize innocent ones. To overcome sin and be victorious, one has to avoid that which leads to sin. Our lives should be tasteful as salt so as to live in harmnoy with one another.
Dear friends, how often have I taken God’s mercy and compassion for granted? In the face of weakness, have I ever consoled or justified my actions by saying: God will understand? Where lies my trust, is it in riches, positions, personal abilities or is it in God?
I pray as we journey in life today, we will eschew arrogance in our lives and embrace humility and trust in the Lord, for “happy the man who follow not the counsel of the wicked; nor linger in the ways of sinners but whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponders his law day and night (Ps. 1: 1-2). May we be richly blessed. Have an arrogance-free day!

Fr Francis Onwunali