HOMILY FOR NOVEMBER 16, MEMORIAL OF ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND AND ST. GETRUDE. (2)

HOMILY FOR NOVEMBER 16, MEMORIAL OF ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND AND ST. GETRUDE.

THEME: It is the the parable of the talents.

BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Apocalypse 4:1-11
Psalm 150
Luke 19:11-28

*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
GREEN

*INTRODUCTION*
Today, we celebrate in a special way, the memorial of two holy women, whose lives and works, inspirations and actions may be able to inspire us all to live our lives more worthily of the Lord, and to do as He has commanded us to do, and to make good use of whatever it is that He has given us and blessed us with. St. Margaret of Scotland and St. Gertrude the Great are great examples of those who have faithfully obeyed the Lord and did His will in their respective lives, making good use of whatever gifts, blessings, abilities and opportunities that they had been granted with. St. Margaret of Scotland was the Queen of Scotland during the Middle Ages, remembered for her great piety, faith and love for God, and also love and care for the less fortunate in her kingdom. Meanwhile, St. Gertrude the Great was a German benedictine nun and mystic who was also renowned for her dedication to God.

*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
Today’s Gospel says that Jesus “proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God would appear immediately.” Jesus knows that his friends and followers, even after all this time together, are still confused about the Good News. They still don’t quite get it.
Sometimes we get confused as well. We have our own ideas of how God’s plans are to unfold. In our confusion, we can sometimes become angry, like those in the parable who run off to decry the new king even before he is crowned. We must trust in God’s plan, even when it is different from our own.

*CONCLUSION*
We, Christians, must —naturally!— wait for our Lord Jesus’ return. But, if we want the meeting to be friendly, we must meet both of the following two conditions. The first one is for us to avoid any unhealthy curiosity to know the timing of the Lord’s solemn and victorious return. He will come, He says somewhere else, when we least expect it. So, quit worrying over that. Let us wait with hope, but with a hope without any unhealthy curiousness. The second condition is that we waste no time. Waiting for this meeting and joyous final cannot be taken as a reason not to seriously look at the present moment. Because the joy and enjoyment of the final gathering will precisely be the better depending upon each one’s contribution, in our present life, to the cause of the Kingdom of God.
Blessed Wednesday to everyone.