HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP & MARTYR (2)

HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP & MARTYR.

THEME: Life does not consist of possessions!

BY: Rev. Fr. Oselumhense Anetor (Uromi Diocese)

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 17 2022

Eph.2:1-10; Luke 12:13-21

“Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Jesus’s admonition above is to enable us change the popular perspective that the quality of life is determined by the number of possessions we acquire in a lifetime. Today, brothers kill brothers over plots of land. Families get torn over inheritance. Sons sell their fathers property, and men and women of God keep malice for months because of tithes and stipends. Politicians maim one another to secure votes; leaders loot public funds – the list is endless.

Friends, in the first reading, St Paul reminds us that we’re children of grace; saved by the riches of God’s mercy. We become ‘fools’ when we capitalise on our physical possessions. Our riches must therefore be more in terms of genuine service to God and neighbour in love and compassion. As second Bishop of Antioch after St Peter, Ignatius of Antioch was a faithful preacher and follower of Christ, who got arrested, condemned to death, and transported to Rome to be thrown to wild beats in a public arena, as entertainment for the people. In one of his numerous writings, Ignatius reveals how glad he is to die for God’s glory since nothing the world has to offer can benefit him. Can we do the same?

St Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us! Good morning dear, God bless your week ahead!