Homily for Thursday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II

Theme: Say Nothing.

By: Rev Fr Gerald M Musa.

Homily for Thursday January 13 2022

William Hutton, an English Poet, and Historian says, “The charity that hastens to proclaim its good deeds, ceases to be charity, and is only pride and ostentation.” Jesus healed and cleansed the leper and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone” (Mark 1:43). The Leper could not withhold his excitement. Why would Jesus tell him to say nothing about the miracle? Are we not supposed to proclaim the goodness of God everywhere? First, Jesus teaches us to be prudent, modest, wise and humble in advertising or publicizing the good works that we do, especially in a world where flamboyant philanthropy thrives. Second, we are to maintain a delicate balance between the scriptural passages that tell us to demonstrate our good works and those that tell us to be prudent about show off and ostentatious display of charity. We must let our “Light shine before men” (Matthew 5:16); nevertheless, we should also beware of practicing our righteousness before men (Matthew 6:1). Third, Jesus was just beginning his public ministry and did not want to attract too much attention to himself by his miracles. When he noticed He was increasingly becoming popular He withdrew out in the country and could no longer openly enter a town. He knew people are easily carried away by signs and have a tendency to pay less attention to the Word of God. Can we draw a line between proclaiming the goodness of God and seeking for cheap popularity?

Mark 1:40-45 Thursday, First Week of the year