HOMILY FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (7)

HOMILY FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: INSTRUMENTS OF GRACE

BY: Rev. Fr. Joseph Nyarko Asare

 

HOMILY:

Dt 18:15-20
Ps 95
1 Cor 7:32-35
Mk 1:21-28

God interacts with his people through many means. Human instruments are part of God’s ways of ministering to his people. In our readings, today, we hear about Moses, Joshua, Paul, and Jesus. Moses married and it is unclear whether Joshua had a wife or not. (Some materials like the Midrash and Talmud claim he married but the Old Testament never talks about the marriage status of Joshua). Paul was, probably, single and Jesus never married.

We have many powerful ministers in the Scriptures. Some married and others did not. Although Paul exhorts virginity and single life in general, we must not conclude that marriage makes people spiritually weak or incapable. Let us note that the Sacraments at the Service of the community are Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders. For clarity sake, let me state that legitimate sex (for married couples) does not reduce spiritual vigour or Divine favour.

God invites many to work for his Kingdom. Although singles, largely, handle “full time” ministry in our Church, God has never relegated ministry to the single state of life. Let me mention that we have permanent deacons who are married. Uncountable lay ministers are married and very effective in ministry. Priscilla and Aquila served God in the married state and Prophet Samuel had wife and children (1 Sam 8 talks about his two sons).

One can serve God whether single or married. If God is the focus of one's life, marriage and single life become the opportunity and avenue to serve God. Let us not look down on the marriage vocation. I need not to say that many couples are ministering in deeper and more effective ways than some singles. It is about where one places the heart. After all, marriage (add sex and home responsibilities) is not the only thing that can occupy and steal the heart of an individual from God. Money, fame and unguarded ambition of all kinds can equally destroy us.

Let us not relegate ourselves and think we cannot minister because we are married. Again, do not be afraid to marry with the reason that you will have reduced capacity to serve God. Singles, on their part, should not think that we are better Christians than those who are married. Finally, let us not seek to live a double life. No matter our calling and vocation, God expects us to serve him sincerely and lead his people whenever he gives us the opportunity. We exist to enjoy the works of the Lord and serve him in our neighbours. Let us seek to do that no matter our unique status as single or married.

PRAYER POINTS
~For faithfulness in our current states of life
~For the focus to serve God wholeheartedly
~That we will become genuine instruments in the hands of God

(Rev Fr Joseph Nyarko Asare of the Catholic Diocese of Obuasi)

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