HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 13TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II (2)

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 13TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II

THEME: Your sins are forgiven; get up and walk’

BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY JUNE 30 2022

*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Amos 7:10-17
Psalm 18:8-11
Matthew 9:1-8

*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
Green

*FROM THE FIRST READING*
In our first reading today, we heard from the Book of the prophet Amos detailing the conversation between Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, of the northern kingdom of Israel, and Amos, the prophet of God. At that time, the northern kingdom of Israel had long rebelled against God and the House of David, following their own path and way of worship, ever since the first king of that northern kingdom, Jeroboam, but not the Jeroboam mentioned in today’s passage, led the people into sin by establishing a parallel centre of worship in Bethel, in opposition to the one and true God Who ought to be worshipped at that time in Jerusalem.

*FROM THE GOSPEL READING*
In our Gospel passage today, we heard the case of when the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law, some of whom criticised the Lord harshly for His words in proclaiming forgiveness of sins in the midst of Him healing a man who had been paralysed. The Lord had pity on the man and helped him, healing him from his troubles, and through that occasion, He also highlighted that as the Holy One of God, the Son, the Divine Word Incarnate, He has the authority to forgive sins and to deliver us from those sins, and to heal us from our afflictions, be it physical or spiritual in nature.

*CONCLUSION*
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, when the paralytic went home carrying his mat, we can imagine the surprise and joy among his family members and in his community. We too are overjoyed when we experience miraculous cures in ourselves, our loved ones, or even third-hand. But the greater miracle is the forgiveness of our sin. As we leave the confessional with snow-white souls, not much has changed in our physical bodies, but our souls have been thoroughly rehabilitated. We have been strengthened by grace and empowered to sin no more. By God’s grace, we are once again on the path to eternal life. There is no greater miracle of restoration on this side of Heaven.

*LET US PRAY*
Lord, help me to keep my eyes on you and anticipate with hope and joy a heavenly reward, as St. Paul did. With this eternal perspective, I will appreciate more deeply the sacramental forgiveness of sins, and how much my sin hurts your Sacred Heart. Thank you for the sacrament of Reconciliation. Thank You Jesus for I am healead today and I believe.

Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA