HOMILY FOR THE 20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A. (7)

HOMILY FOR THE 20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.

THEME: Faith Beyond Prejudice.

BY: Fr. Uchenna Onyejiuwa.

The realities of life are not what anyone is born with but what happens to one as he or she grows. It is what you come to discover in the course of life, that all fingers are not equal. However, even though they are not equal, each is special in its own way, performing its own unique roles for the good of the rest. Their inequality does not erect walls of separation or discrimination but encourages cooperation that ensures their suitability. Unfortunately, it is not the same with human relationships as (perceived) inequalities are the main reason why many act like peacocks and erect walls of discrimination. It can be quite devastating to realise one day that the reason why people look down on you is just because of the mere fact of your ancestry, gender, ethnicity, race, colour or obnoxious caste system, in which you find yourself. Things you were never responsible for. This is part of the reason why people now and again say life is not fair. It is even more astonishing to discover that such a mentality also exists among the children of God, Christ’s faithful, those who are called to live above such earthly limitations. This is one of the greatest problems facing the continent of Africa which has kept her toddling behind other continents of the world. It is better for my kin’s man who is incapable to take the mantle of leadership than one who understands the requirements of the job to get the position.

Through the Prophet Isaiah God made it clear in today’s first reading that He is the Lord of all those who practice justice and act with integrity and sincerely serve him. One is not welcomed or condemned in the presence of the Lord just because of his or her status, race, gender, colour, ethnicity, intelligence or social caste grouping as the Jews thought. To Buttress this point, he concluded the message with these words: “Their holocausts and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” Equally, in the Gospel of today Christ, pretending to behave like a typical Jew, elicited from a Canaanite woman the only thing that is necessary for anyone to find favour in the sight of God – faith. It surprised Jesus and the Apostles too that such huge faith could be found in the heart of a woman from a tribe the Jews consider to be worthless pagans. If such faith in God could be found in the woman why then should the Jews feel superior to the Gentiles? If a black man can be as civilised as a white man, why should the white man feel superior to the black man? If the Igbos are considered to be indispensable that they cannot be allowed to exit this British contraption, why should the Yoruba or Fulani feel superior to the Igbo man? If those on the left side of the caste grouping in the Igbo tradition are as industrious and smart as the so-called Nwa-Diala, why should the Nwa-Diala feel superior to this brother of his who came into this world and found things the way they are? Why should you who is born rich feel superior to your counterpart who is born poor, did either of you make a conscious choice of where you want to be born? I can go on and on with this type of question which is meant to expose the error in our general attitude of discrimination against others due to stereotypes or prejudices.

So beloved friends, never allow the advantages of birth make you look down or discriminate against others who are less fortunate. As Christians, our goal is to foster an inclusive community of God’s people devoid of all these selfish and politically motivated standards of discrimination. We must look forward to and work for a human society where individuals will be judged and assessed, not by the mistakes of their forefathers or the misfortune of birth or the colours of their skin but, by the contents of their faiths and characters. Please say no to prejudice. Wishing you all a very joyous Sunday celebration. Peace be with you. (First reading, Is. 56:1,6-7; second reading, Rm. 11:13-15,29-32; gospel, Matt. 15:21-28).

FOR MORE HOMILIES CLICK >>>>>