HOMILY FOR  THE 13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A. (3)

HOMILY FOR  THE 13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.

THEME: LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL THINGS.

BY: Rev Fr Stephen Dayo.

2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16
Ps 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19
Romans 6:3-4, 8-11
Matthew 10:37-42

In our time, our lives are filled with “busy-ness”; there are so many things we need to do that are calling for our attention, and so many things we consider to be important. But what about God? Is He important? Where is He on our scale of preference? Where is He on our priority list? What sort of attention do we give to God? We need to ask ourselves these questions from time to time and today’s readings challenge us to do just that not only today, but each and every day of our lives.

The readings in today’s Mass are about our love of God above all else. Whether or not our souls live in eternal life in heaven depends on our relationship with God here on earth. Hence, the second reading reminds of our baptism and death in Christ; “Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 6:3-4, 8-11)

To be baptized into Christ does not mean just to become member of his body, the Church. It means to be baptized into his teachings and into his character. When we are baptized into Christ, “the body of sin” (Romans 6:6), which brings us into the bondage of sin (John 8:34), is destroyed, and we are set free from sin (Romans 6:7). This is brought about by our total obedience to God’s word from the heart (Romans 6:16-18), which is what the process of baptism is meant to produce in us. So being baptized into Christ means to be associated with him, and all that he stands for, which is his teachings of the word of God. So as we study the word of God, and put it into practice in our lives, we are being baptized deeper into Christ in a spiritual sense.

Just before Jesus went to the cross to die, he said, “I have a baptism to be baptized with;” (Luke 12:50), talking about his coming crucifixion. His death, burial, and resurrection, were a type of baptism. Going down into the water represents dying, going under the water represents burial, and coming out of the water represents resurrection.  All Christians have been called to follow Jesus by taking up our crosses, totally denying ourselves, and following him. This is the most fundamental condition for discipleship: giving up everything and carrying our cross for sake of Christ and the Gospel.

The Shunemite woman in the first reading paid a lot of attention to God in His messenger, Elisha. As a result, God reached her and changed her life. Are we open to God’s messengers in our lives? God cares for us, He loves us, and He wants our attention and love. We all need to make more room for Him in our lives, our hearts, and our thoughts. If we don’t, our souls are in peril.

The story of the woman presents us with how we can live our lives as those who have been baptized into Christ Jesus. Her hospitality and generosity become an example for us as Christians. These themes of generosity and hospitality are also resonance in the Gospel passage of today; “Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward… And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple— amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” (Cf. Mt 10:37-42)

Who is a prophet?
By “a prophet” is meant, not one that foretells things to come, but a preacher of the Gospel. He that regards such a person, and shows him respect, not because he (the prophet) may be a man of good behaviour, of a singular disposition and temper, of much learning and eloquence, or of great abilities; but because he is a faithful minister of the Gospel.

What is a prophet’s reward?
The prophet’s reward here is both horizontal and vertical. Horizontally, the one who receives a prophet by listening to the message brought by him receives a reward from the prophet, who shall interpret the Scriptures to him, preach the Gospel to him, lead him more fully into the truths of the Gospel, and guide him to the true, clearer and distinct sense of the sacred writings; which is a good reward for receiving him. Vertically, the one who receives a prophet is also rewarded by God Himself, either physically and materially or spiritually and eternally.

RELATED: HOMILY FOR THE 13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.

God’s blessing on individual for generosity and hospitality shown may come in form of material blessings, as it was the case of the shunemite woman, whose act of hospitality was rewarded with the gift of a son. The other is the reward which God has appointed, prepared, and promised, to them who receive his prophets; and which indeed is no other, than what the prophets themselves shall receive – the inheritance, the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world, a reward of grace.

Interestingly, when we love God first and foremost in our life, our earthly loves are purified and enriched. This is because, by loving God, the limits and obstacles brought about by our selfishness are surmounted, enabling our heart to expand and love all the more.

As we begin this second phase of our journey through this year and as we set out in this new week, let us remember our call to be like Christ, to be selfless, to be conscious of those who might need our hospitality and generosity and we shall not lose the reward.

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