HOMILY FOR THE 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

YEAR C: HOMILY FOR THE 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: IN FAITH, WAIT PATIENTLY FOR GOD’S INTERVENTION

BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU

HOMILY: READINGS:

HOMILY FOR THE 27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

HOMILY THEME: IN FAITH, WAIT PATIENTLY FOR GOD’S INTERVENTION

BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU

 

HOMILY: READINGS: HABAKKUK 1:2-3;2:2-4, PSALM 95, 2TIMOTHY 1:6-8.13-14, LUKE 17:5-10

• God is very much aware of our present predicaments: the injustices meted out against us by the powerful. Be patient, only have faith in his saving power.
• He knows how the wicked are living lavishly on our common wealth. Be patient, only have faith in his justice.
• He will surely hear our cries and liberate us at the appointed time. Be patient, only have faith in his power to hear and answer us.

My dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, on this 27th Sunday in ordinary time, we gather around God’s presence praying him to accept our thanksgiving, pardon our lack of faith, and increase our faith (Lk. 17:5) so that we may stand firm even when destruction, violence, strife and contention surround us as they did Habakkuk.

Friends in the Lord, at the time the prophecy of Habakkuk was written (600 BC), political intrigue and idolatry were widespread in Judah; violence and injustice as meted out by the rich and powerful on the helpless weak raged and King Jehoiakim did nothing to protect the victims. Habakkuk like Job having Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (blessings for fidelity to God) and 28:15-68 (curses for infidelity to God) in mind could not understand why God would allow the just to suffer whilst the unjust lived well. As Job did when faced with many hardships (Job 10), Habakkuk questioned God and of course, God answered him. He promised to LIBERATE THE JUST AND PUNISH THE WICKED BUT AT THE RIGHT TIME. He admonished the people never to be DISCOURAGED BUT TO KEEP THE FAITH THEY HAVE IN HIM ALIVE BY WAITING PATIENTLY ON him (Hab. 2:2-4).

Beloved, we often times ask why God tolerate the evil deeds of the wicked and even allow them have good lives (so to speak) instead of punishing them with acute immediacy. God reminds us of the need of patience. It is also his way of telling us that ‘THERE WOULD BE NO SAINT IN HEAVEN TODAY IF I HAD CUT OFF EVERY SINNER’S HEAD IMMEDIATELY, CHANGE IS POSSIBLE AND REPENTANCE IS TOO’. It is also God’s way of reiterating his sadness over the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:21-23, 33:11). Moreover, it is God’s subtle way of reminding us that his ways and thoughts are different from ours (Isa. 55:8). Besides, the life of Jesus and his ministry should teach us to be tolerant; he welcomed sinners, tax collectors, adulterers, murderers, robbers, and forgave his adversaries. We are called to do same bearing in mind our frailty.

God intends the salvation of all and wants us to avoid condemning others; rather, we are to love our enemies and be good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us pray for all who maltreat us (Lk. 6:27). However, at his appointed time, when his patience is not utilized by the wicked, he will come with his wrath on them; vengeance is his alone remember (Deut. 32:35). Sons and daughters of God, only those who have faith in God will wait on the Lord, bearing all forms of injustices and ills done against them. According to William Barclay, ‘FAITH IS THE GREATEST FORCE IN THE WORLD’, it moves us towards directions completely unknown and guides us towards belief in the One (God) we cannot empirically verify is present among us. Luke 17:5 tells us that all the followers of Jesus must have faith in him and an abundance of it at that. We are to pray Christ to increase our faith, the faith that was given to us at the laying on of hands, our baptism (2Tim. 1:6).

 

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With our strong faith in God we can go about courageously without fear advocating true followership of Christ, preaching his gospel come what may. With our strong faith intact, we can heed God’s call to tolerate evil men, never condemn them but wait for the Lord’s judgment as Habakkuk 2:2-4 exhorts us to. Like Habakkuk, we too are experiencing on daily basis the violence occasioned by man’s wickedness; it is so true that terror, political intrigues, corruption and embezzlement by the wicked, mass murder, and the likes have become unwelcome guests in our dear nation.

Friends it is a statement of fact those saddled with the welfare of the world have chosen to enslave the masses through their many acts of injustice, wickedness and selfishness. All we do is ask ‘God why?’ and he answers us, ‘my children, I have heard your cry, and will act on it when the time is due; on your part, wait patiently for me whilst you pray for a better world and the conversion of the wicked. I will not delay blessing the righteous soul and punishing the unrepentant sinners.’

FEED AND EDUCATE ONE…

 

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