HOMILY FOR THE 8TH TUESDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY FOR THE 8TH TUESDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: A VIRTUOUS MAN’S OFFERINGS!
BY: Fr. Benedict AGBO
Ecclesiasticus 35:2-15, Ps. 50:5-8,14,23, Mark 10:28-31
“A virtuous man’s offering graces the altar and its savour rises before the most high”. Today’s 1st and 2nd readings address a very important aspect of devotion which is offering. We are adviced as people of God to honour the Lord with generosity as your means can afford. Virtually all kinds of offerings are mentioned here; Thanksgiving Offering, Almsgiving Offering, Sin Offering, Tithe/ First Fruits/ Barzar Offerings. He warns us more especially: ‘Be cheerful as you dedicate your tithes’, Sir 35: 11. Honour the Lord with generosity and do not stint the first fruits you bring. This was the sin of Cain mentioned in the book of Genesis, Gen 4. Another warning is that we should not try to bribe him(God) with presents if we are not righteous because he will not accept an unvirtuous sacrifice. Freewill donation is very important in the Church. The Word of God says: ‘Give to the most high as he has given to you, generously as your means can afford.
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Peter asked a very important question in today’s gospel: WHAT ABOUT US? – Followers of Jesus: Priests, especially celibate priests and religious who are supposed to have left house, wife, children, land, brothers and sisters for Christ’s sake? Christ said that we will be repaid a hundred fold in heaven and even in this world, but not without persecutions. The apostles paid the price of that choice very disastrously; 1.Matthew was slain by a sword, 2.Mark expired in Alexandria after being cruelly dragged through the streets of the city, 3.Luke was hanged, 4. John was put in a cauldron of boiling oil (though he was saved), 5. Peter was crucified with his head upside down, 6.James the elder was beheaded, 7. James the younger was thrown down from the pinnacle of the temple, 8. Bartholomew was flayed alive, 9. Andrew was bound to a cross, 10. Thomas was pierced throughout his body with a lance (just like Fulani herdsmen did to our priests at Benue), 11. Jude was shot to death, 12. Barnabas was stoned to death.
Every dedicated priest burns out every day like the candle in the altar as he gives life and life to his parishioners. One of the reasons why priests are not usually expected to participate in the regular physical offerings at mass is because they have offered something more serious to God; their whole life, time and possession. May we all participate in this important aspect of Christian devotion which is to make virtuous offerings onto the Lord. May God bless you today!
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