HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE I (2)

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE I

THEME: HONOUR AND RECOGNITION.

BY: Fr. Gerald M. Musa

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OCTOBER 30 2021

Humility is the mother of all virtues, says Mother Theresa. We live in a world where people struggle for status recognition, attention, honour, titles, prestige, applause, and eminent positions. A sage observes, “Wherever people find themselves in life, they usually possess the natural desire to move up. They want greater recognition. They want to make more money. They want to live in a better home. They want to advance and improve.” Jesus carefully observed how people chose the places of honour in a banquet and he instructed his followers not to pick positions of honour but wait to be honoured. No one should take honour upon himself. Honour is one of such privileges that are better received than seized aggressively. Naturally, we have a vain desire for glory and greatness. When honour is conferred by God and by people with whom we live, it is more valuable than when we confer it on ourselves. In the life and message of Jesus, we learn that humility, service, self-sacrifice, and love lead to greatness and glory. Mother Theresa says, “If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. If you are blamed you will not be discouraged. If they call you a saint you will not put yourself on a pedestal.” How patient are we when we are not recognized? How sincere are we in recognizing our nothingness?

Romans 11:1-2a, 11-12,25-29; Luke 14:1, 7-11; 30th Week, Year 1.