HOMILY FOR FIFTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY FOR FIFTEENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: AM I FULFILLING GOD’S PURPOSE?
BY: Fr. Augustine Ikechukwu Opara
Amos 7:12-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13
God’s call cuts across all the readings of this day. We hear about how God chooses people for particular missions within the Church and about how God chooses all of us who believe, to give witness to Him. By baptism, we are called to take up this role and be priests, kings, and prophets. We are called as priests because we are called to intercede for others. We are called to be kings because we are called to serve others. We are called to be prophets because we must proclaim the word of God. We are not kings in the normal sense of that word, but with an understanding that kingship is about serving others, then we can recognize that true kingship is given to all who serve others and seek their good and well-being.
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Most of us have no sense of being called. We are very much like the Prophet Amos, going about our own business and doing what we have to do to earn our living and get along in life. The fundamental question to ask is, Is there anything in my life that prevents me from giving time to God or witnessing to him in my daily activities? For example, could I be so involved with my phone, social media, computer, or video games that I don’t have time to pray or even go to Church on Sunday? Could these take up the time I might need to visit a sick relative or a needy person? Where do we spend our time or our money? The focus of our time or money will tell us what our God is and what is important in our lives.
In the second reading Paul says: We are called, we have been chosen. Why? For His glory, for the praise of His glory. We can really be transformed when we recognize that each of us is chosen. Faith has not just “happened” to us. No, we have been chosen by God’s free choice and we must respond to that calling, that choice. We have heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and have believed in him and have been sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
The gospel talks about sending out the apostles. You and I are disciples of Jesus every bit as much as they were, and we know far more about him than they did before that first Holy Week. Since we have been given more and understand more, we will be held to a higher standard. What God expects of us today is essentially the same as it has always been: That we preach conversion with our lives, that we proclaim the truth with courage, that we cure the sick with healing love.
So, to succeed in the mission of Christ, we must be careful about worldly attachment to anything that could distract us from fulfilling God’s purpose and will for choosing us. Sadly, most of us have lost focus of our mission by disobeying the instructions of Christ. This is what growth in Christ means; striving to achieve the primary purpose of being holy, impeccable, and loving and, going out to help others achieve it. This is what it means to be a missionary and to develop a missionary spirit. For this to be possible, we must not be selfish, and love must move us to invite others to share our experiences. Hence, we must behave like an ant that finds a piece of food and, invites others to share it with it.
My brothers and sisters, Jesus suggests an amazing patience of practical spirituality. You won’t be able to force people. Just be with the people you want to reach, live with them as one of them, and help as much as you can, some of them will respond and some won’t. If they don’t, remember it is not all about you. Just move on and keep going. God’s choice of us was not a product of chance, but a deliberate act. This Sunday, the church provides us a great opportunity to ask ourselves these very pertinent questions: “What is God’s purpose for choosing me as His messenger and, am I fulfilling this purpose?”
God bless you!
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