HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (2)
HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: GOD IN THE MIDST OF HIS TEMPLE
BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu
HOMILY:
Although God is everywhere, our catechism makes us understand that God dwells in a special way in the temple. That is why Jesus would go to the temple to drive out the money changers saying: “My House (that is, God’s dwelling place) shall be a house of prayer…”
We know God dwells in a temple because that is where the children of God gather to pray. Jesus again tells us that “wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am with you.” So because that is the place twos and threes gather, we know God is there.
When Solomon finished building the temple, he made such a great sacrifice that the number of sheep and goats could not be numbered. There was a thick cloud in the temple, a visible sign of God’s presence. Today, our churches do not contain signs but the real presence of God in the Holy Eucharist. This is what Jesus has done for us by his death and resurrection.
It takes faith to recognise that God is present in the temple. It required faith of the people to see in Jesus, somebody more than just an ordinary men like them. As we read in today’s Gospel passage, the people RECOGNISED Jesus, they ran from all over the neighbourhood bringing with them the sick and as many as those who touched even the fringe of his garments were made well.
Today, we remember ST. AGATHA, a virgin and martyr.
According to the Butlers Lives of Saints, St. Agatha was born in Sicily, of rich and noble parents and consecrated from her earliest infancy to God. In the midst of dangers and temptations she served Christ in purity of body and soul, and she died for the love of chastity.
Quintanus, who governed Sicily under the Emperor Decius, had heard the rumor of her beauty and wealth, and he made the laws against the Christians a pretext for summoning her from Palermo to Catania, where he was at the time. “O Jesus Christ!” she cried, as she set out on this dreaded journey, “all that I am is Thine; preserve me against the tyrant.”
And Our Lord did indeed preserve one who had given herself so utterly to Him. He kept her pure and undefiled while she was imprisoned for a whole month under charge of an evil woman. He gave her strength to reply to the offer of her life and safety, if she would but consent to sin, “Christ alone is my life and my salvation.”
When Quintanus turned from passion to cruelty, and cut off her breasts, Our Lord sent the Prince of His apostles to heal her. And when, after she had been rolled naked upon potsherds, she asked that her torments might be ended, her Spouse heard her prayer and took her to Himself.
St. Agatha gave herself without reserve to Jesus Christ; she followed Him in virginal purity, and then looked to Him for protection. And down to this day Christ has shown His tender regard for the very body of St. Agatha.
Again and again, during the eruptions of Mount Etna, the people of Catania have exposed her veil for public veneration, and found safety by this means; and in modern times, on opening the tomb in which her body lies waiting for the resurrection, they beheld the skin still entire, and felt the sweet fragrance which issued from this temple of the Holy Ghost.
Reflection.–Purity is a gift of God: we can gain it and preserve it only by care and diligence in avoiding all that may prove an incentive to sin.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, make me pure and holy. Amen. St. Agatha, pray for us.
Be happy, live positive, it is well with you. Monday of the 5th week in Ordinary time. Bible Study: 1st Kings 8:1-13 and Mark 6:53-56
