HOMILY FOR 19TH MONDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B

HOMILY FOR 19TH MONDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: CULTIVATING INTIMACY WITH GOD IN TIMES OF TRIAL 

BY: Fr. Obinna Ezeaputa

Ezekiel 1:2-5,24-28, Psalm 148:1-2,11-14, Matthew 17:22-27

Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, a woman of outstanding faith, courage, and compassion. In today’s gospel reading (Mathew 17:22–27), we hear the story of Jesus predicting his passion and death to his disciple and Peter’s refusal to accept it.

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Just like Peter, we often find it tough to accept the challenges and hardships that life throws our way. But Saint Jane Frances de Chantal is a wonderful example of how to handle them differently. Instead of resisting or complaining, she faced her struggles head-on with bravery and trust in God.

And you know what? She found happiness and peace in the midst of those challenges. She shows us that we don’t have to let our struggles weigh us down; we can find a way to rise above them and discover joy and peace even in the toughest times.

When her husband, Baron de Chantal, died in a tragic hunting accident, Jane Frances was devastated. But instead of letting her grief consume her, she turned to her faith for comfort.

She found strength in prayer and dedicated herself to helping others, which brought her a sense of purpose and peace. In fact, she was so inspired that she went on to start a new religious order, the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, which focused on caring for those in need, including the poor and the sick.

Jane Frances de Chantal suffered from migraines that persisted for days, trapping her in bed and preventing her from taking care of herself. Even simple movements became a painful struggle due to rheumatism. On top of that, she felt lost and alone, wondering if God had abandoned her. Fears and worries seemed to overwhelm her, casting doubt on her faith and ability to serve God.

She refused to give up on God, saying, “I will not leave God, even if he leaves me.” She believed that the key to getting through tough times was to keep praying and stay close to God. She said, “The most necessary thing for our salvation is to persevere in prayer and to cultivate an intimate relationship with God.”

As we celebrate the memorial of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, let us remember her powerful example of faith, courage, and compassion. May we, like her, learn to embrace our struggles with trust and confidence in God’s love. May we find strength in prayer and purpose in serving others, even in the midst of adversity.

And when doubts and fears creep in, may we echo her courageous words: “I will not leave God, even if he leaves me.” May God bless us with the grace to persevere in prayer and to deepen our relationship with Him. Amen. Have a blessed week!

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