HOMILY FOR THE 21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A. (4)

HOMILY FOR THE 21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.

THEME: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.

BY: Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Isaiah 22:19-23
Psalm 137:1-3,6,8
Romans 11:33-36
Matthew 16:13-20

*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
GREEN

*INTRODUCTION*
Good morning dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time of Year A.

*FROM OUR FIRST READING*
In our first reading today, we heard the prophet Isaiah talking about a man named Eliakim, who according to the Scriptures served as the steward and caretaker in the court and government of the Kingdom of Judah, then ruled by King Hezekiah, one of the good and faithful kings. This Eliakim was appointed into his position to replace one particular Shebna, who was the steward immediately before Eliakim. According to Scriptural and historical evidences, Shebna was cast out because of his pride, ego and his dependance on his own power of state rather than trusting in God’s power and providence, trusting in his own intrigues, diplomatic and political power play rather than to follow the Lord and His path. What we have heard today in our first reading today is a reminder for all of us that pride and ambition will likely lead to our downfall.

*FROM OUR SECOND READING*
In the second reading, we see Paul bursting out in jubilant excitement and exaltation over the wisdom of God.Today therefore, Paul not only presents to us the greatness of the wisdom of God, but also His sovereignty over all creation. The Lord’s plans are as marvelous as his wisdom, acts and justice; his designs are as profound as his doings are vast. Creation is immeasurable, and the wisdom displayed in it unsearchable.

*FROM OUR GOSPEL READING*
In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples, for whom Peter is the spokesperson, what other people are saying about Him. It is as if Jesus is asking His disciples, “Who am I for these people who come to listen to me, to touch me, to seek my help, to witness a miracle?” The answers He gets to this question must have been a disappointment to Him. The people have realised that He is someone special, certainly a man of God, but they have missed the deeper truth completely. Jesus isn’t Moses, or Elijah, or one of the prophets. He is so much more. When Jesus then asks the disciples, “What about you, who do you say I am?”, Peter, speaking on their behalf and expressing their common faith, says quite plainly, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”. Because of a special gift of God, Peter has understood the deeper truth about Jesus: this is the reason why Jesus then says that it is on Peter, the rock, that He will build his Church.

*CONCLUSION*
The question of today’s Gospel, then, is one that is addressed to each of us, not just individually but also as members of the Church, sharers in the faith of the Church: Who do you say that I am? The question matters for it is Jesus Himself who tells us that He is the Way, He is the Truth, and He is the Life. If we want to walk along the right way, really know the truth, and have life to the full, then we need to know, and love and serve Jesus – but it must be the real Jesus, not the Jesus of our own creating. It must be the Jesus we meet in the Gospels and who is proclaimed by the Church. This morning, let us hear Him say to us, “Who do you say I am?” We must search our hearts for an answer: let us hope the answer will not disappoint Him.

*BLESSINGS OF THE DAY*
May God be glorified to us and may He empower us all in our every good efforts and endeavours, now and always. Amen.

Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.

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