HOMILY FOR THE 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A. (2)
HOMILY FOR THE 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.
THEME: A GOOD AND FORGIVING GOD: IMITATE HIM!
BY: Rev. Fr. Linus Terhemen Akase.
Wisdom 12:13.16-19; Psalm 86:5-6.15-16a (R.5a); Romans 8:26-27; Matthew13:24-43
Among the interesting things we hear when people are praying is that “God should punish their e
HOMILY FOR THE 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.
THEME: A GOOD AND FORGIVING GOD: IMITATE HIM!
BY: Rev. Fr. Linus Terhemen Akase.
Wisdom 12:13.16-19; Psalm 86:5-6.15-16a (R.5a); Romans 8:26-27; Matthew13:24-43
Among the interesting things we hear when people are praying is that “God should punish their enemies; God should blind their adversaries; God should make them eat their flesh and killed them instantly.” The Church today has given us a clear picture of the True God in which we serve – that God is “Good and forgiving” (Ps.86:5). This forms the topic of our homily today.
At the time in which the book of Wisdom was written, people were confronted with the question of: why does God allow the bad to flourish? Why is it that God is so patient with the enemies of Israel instead of destroying them? The author of the first reading draws our attention to the fact that God’s moderation is not a result of weakness; His justice, after all, has its source of strength. As a result of His leniency, God’s mercy is heaped on everyone in sight, even on those whom tradition considers enemies. To us this is a scandal but if God behaves like human beings, who among us can survive (Ps.130:2)? This is a scandal of God’s patience. This ‘scandal’ of God’s patience is seen in the Gospel passage. The farmer here is confronted with a serious problem: how on earth the good seed he planted is mixed with poisonous weed (darnel)? His servants were angry and they wanted to uproot it immediately. The farmer refused. He was patient until harvest period so as not to endanger the wheat. Both are allowed to live and to grow together.
Brethren, God has a wonderful message for all of us today. Looking at Jesus critically, He was God yet accepted to come and die for all of us. While on earth, He mixed with all categories of people: harlots, tax-collectors, priests, crooks, Scribes, politicians, children, armed robbers, Pharisees, etc. He never condemned them. In fact, He made extra effort to seek for the lost children of God. He knew for sure that our society is made up of both saints and sinners. He loved even those who looked at Him as an enemy. He did not behave like some of us who wants our enemies – sinners, to die by fire by blood. He even prayed and thirsted for the salvation of their souls while on the cross. He gave His enemies opportunities to change and come back to God. As a human being will I be able to behave in this way? We have to imitate this good and forgiving God whose patience with sinners is quite amazing. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to continue to intercede for us in our weakness according to the will of God. Are you ready to be patient with others (sinners) as God is patient with you? Happy Sunday!
By Rev. Fr. Linus Terhemen Akase
