HOMILY FOR THE 24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C (4)

HOMILY FOR THE 24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

THEME: THE MERCIFUL FATHER

BY: Fr Livinus C. Igbodekwe

HOMILY FOR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11 2022

Every father who loves his child operates by two principles: justice and mercy. In justice, he condemns and punishes, and in mercy, he forgives and pardons. Mercy is powerful for it erases sin and the punishment due to it. While Justice is powerful. It can pain or kill the offender. This is why Habakkuk says to God: “… in justice, remember mercy.” (Hab 3:2).

In the First Reading, God is so angry over the idolatrous act of His people. In justice, they deserve death for breaking His covenant with them. They disown Him by their choice of the golden calf. The Lord disowns them in return by calling them “Moses’ people”, and not His own people. But, Moses still stands righteous before Him. He is the only one He can do honor. And Moses utilizes the privilege to appeal to God’s mercy on behalf of the sinful house of Israel. God sees legality and righteousness in the intercession of Moses, and He relented. God remembers His covenant forever (Psalm105:8).

The Gospel gives us the picture of God as ‘Merciful Father’ who can grant a stupid request in order to teach a great lesson. The son abuses the Father’s benevolence and sqanders his fortune on a life of debauchery, yet mercy and grace are still available for him. Where sin abounds, grace abounds much more (Rom 5:20). The grace of God can never run out as long as a sinner can say, “I will arise and go back to my Father.”

Happy Sunday to you!