HOMILY FOR THE 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY FOR THE 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: IT IS NOT GOOD TO BE ALONE!
BY: Fr. Casmir Nkamuke
Gen. 2: 18-24, Ps. 128, Heb. 2: 9-11, Mark. 10: 2-16
As evident in the first reading and the gospel, the Homily of today ought to center on marriage as an eternal vocation. However, my reflection today is on the need to embrace communal living and shun individualism.
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In the first reading, there was no suitable companion for man from all the created animals. This is perhaps contrary to the reality in our world today where many prize the companionship of pets than their fellow humans. It was in the woman that man found true companionship. The reading suggests the complementary nature of the male and the female and never the domineering of the male over the female. Hence, both become one.
In the second reading, we see how Christ took human form to accompany us on our path to share in the divine glory. He had to suffer and die on the cross in order to assure us that we are not alone even in our moments of trials and tribulations.
The gospel reading re-echoes the first reading with some emphasis. In Deuteronomy 24:1, Moses permits divorce on account of indecency. However, scholars did not agree on what accounts for indecency. The scribes asked Jesus today to find out his view of what counts as grounds for divorce. In response, Jesus responds that marital bond is permanent and should not be separated for any reason. The communality and complementarity of marriage are beyond human legislation.
Beloved in the Lord, we witness a lot of individualism in the world today. In many villages of Africa, many grandparents are abandoned by their children and grandchildren. Many love loneliness more than communal living. More prefer the company of dogs than humans.
The sacred institution of marriage seems to be the worst hit in all these. While many married couples are constantly seeking divorce, separation, and annulment, many unmarried people prefer to remain alone than marry.
The consequence of individualism in our world today is evident. Many care only for their well-being and care less about the well-being of others. While the rich and the powerful struggle each day to outdo each other in amassing wealth and power, the weak are left as pawns useful only for satisfying the selfish needs of the poor. Whether it is the issue of the depletion of the ozone layer and consequent climate change, or the ravaging war in Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East, or bad governance and corruption in most countries, it is individualism that is the source of all these.
We are reminded today that it is not good to be alone. We are reminded that we are better off when we invest more in making the world a better place than satisfying our personal aggrandizement. We enjoy more peace when everyone is at peace and harmony. We were all created to complete the other. We are not complete in ourselves. When we see the world as complete only according to our worldview, hunger, poverty, war, divorce and many others will be the bitter fruits.
May God give us the grace to always work for communal good and give up our egocentric mindsets. God is always with us as a refuge and strength, may we by emulating his sacrifice on the cross for our salvation, devote our time, talent and treasure to work for the good of the world he has saved and redeemed
Happy Sunday!
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