HOMILY FOR THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A

HOMILY THEME: GOD GIVES HIS CHILDREN TIME TO GROW

BY: Fr. Cosmas Ukadike

HOMILY:
Today’s message is centered on the leniency of God.

In the first reading we hear the following words been addressed to God:
“Although you are sovereign in strength, you judge with mildness, and with great forbearance you govern us; for you have power to act whenever you choose” (Wisdom 12, 17). This is true because God has got the power to do whatsoever he wills, but at several moments he had chosen to be lenient with us sinners. The leniency which God displays towards us is not weakness, but simply an opportunity for us to be saved, a period of grace.

But unfortunately, we have constantly taking God’s patience for granted. And St Peter emphasized this when he said: “Think of the Lord’s patience as your opportunity to be saved” (2 Pet 3:15). The parable of the weeds in today’s Gospel better explains God’s patience and tolerance in giving us chance to grow-up in his word (Matt 13:24-30).

As any gardener knows, weeding can be the greatest threat of all to the life of the young seedling. At first, the problem is one of identifying which is which. The weeds must be left until the seedling can be clearly recognised. Even then, removing the weeds may pose an even greater threat. It might sever the seedling’s root system. Often the weed brings the seedling away with it.

That is also how difficult it is to try to root out the so called “evil people” in our midst. This is because the Lord does not desire the death of a sinner, but rather that he/her is converted and lives (Ezk 18, 32).

The overall intention of God is to see that his children whom he so loved that he gave his only begotten son so that they might not perish, but have eternal life (Jn 3, 16/17), may truly obtain his mercy by having a conversion of heart and turning towards him.

And in the second reading we are called to rely on the help of the Holy Spirit who surely leads us to God and even enables us to pray when we do not know how to pray and what to pray for (Rom 8, 26-27).

We pray that God’s leniency may not be taken for granted by the way we live our lives and we ask also that by the help of his spirit, we may obtain divine Grace and favours so as to enter with him into eternal life.

Have a blessed week.

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