HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II (1)

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II

THEME: Are we ready to serve?

BY: Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor (Uromi Diocese)

HOMILY FOR MONDAY JULY 25 2022

Feast of Saint James
2 Cor.4:7-15; Matt.20:20-28

Nigerians love titles. For instance, one Knight in the Church may love to be addressed as Sir, Chief, Dr. Barr., Sylvester Okueka, CON, CFRN, JP, OON, ESQ. We want to be served and respected. But Jesus teaches that we should rather serve others, since leadership in the Church means selflessness and service. St James, because he was head of the Church in Jerusalem, was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I, just to please the Jewish opponents of Christianity. Can you imagine that? And God allowed it. But this isn’t to discourage us, for those who now sow in tears, will sing when they reap.

Friends, in the end, what matters is not the positions we rise to here on earth, it’s how willing we are to give up our heads for the sake of the gospel. It’s about letting our inner light shine, no matter how weak we are. Difficulties should not corner us; trying situations should not lead us to despair; persecutions must not make us feel deserted; we carry Jesus our treasure in our clay bodies. We must let him lead us. Being Pope, Cardinal, Bishop, or priest isn’t a guarantee of salvation if we’re not willing to serve. Finally, whatever we’re able to achieve in this life comes not from us, but from God, for all power belongs to him.

Good morning dear. God bless you. St James, pray for us!