HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF 11TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME. (1)
HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF 11TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME.
THEME: YOU, THEREFORE MUST BE PERFECT!
BY: Benedict Agbo (Rev Fr).
* 2 Cor 8: 1 – 9, Matt 5: 43 – 48.
Like a shrewd Pastor (Bishop), Paul, in today’s 1st reading praises the generosity of one of his former parishes
HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF 11TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME.
THEME: YOU, THEREFORE MUST BE PERFECT!
BY: Benedict Agbo (Rev Fr).
* 2 Cor 8: 1 – 9, Matt 5: 43 – 48.
Like a shrewd Pastor (Bishop), Paul, in today’s 1st reading praises the generosity of one of his former parishes around Macedonia now headed by Pastor Titus in order increase the charity of the Corinthians. That is what educationists call positive reinforcement. He praised the fact that they gave even from their poverty in imitation of Christ who became poor that we might become rich. St Paul admonishes them to excel in this gracious work of freewill donation inspite of any circumstances of economic recession.
RELATED: HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF 11TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME.
From today’s gospel, we need to look at the whole thing from the perspective of perfection. Christ says: If we love those who love us, what reward have we? If we give only when we are compelled or levied to give, what reward do we have? Do not even Pagans do the same? We therefore must be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect. The whole Sermon on the mountain is about; (i) perfection in controlling anger and quarrels, (ii) perfection in controlling lustful thoughts and all tendencies towards immorality, (iii) perfection in saying the truth and avoiding oath taking/swearing, (iv) perfection in praying and avoiding unnecessary showmanship, (v) perfection in giving alms and offerings, (vi) perfection in worldly desires avoiding materialism and (vii) perfection in judging others with a sense of charity – the end result is that our righteousness will exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees and we will be able to love our enemies like our heavenly father.
According to Thomas Pazhyayampallil, ‘Something is perfect when it serves well the purpose for which it was made’. Our ultimate purpose is to be like our heavenly father in so many things, especially in giving and loving so that finally, we shall be like him, 1 Jn 3: 2. Today, because of our imperfection in giving, many Bishops and Church Oversears are having crises with Parish Priests and Regional heads with regards to money. Many Parish Priests and Pastors are having problems with their Stations with regards to taxations, levies and offerings. Some pastors have gone to the extent of banning the use of #10 and even #20 notes in offering. Some are even threatening their Parishioners not to receive Holy Communion if they do not give offerings. No matter the challenges we may be facing in our various dioceses and parishes, let it be underscored that the style of freewill donation remains the most perfect style of giving in the Church. We must also examine what kind of projects we constantly embark on, whether structural or human empowerment projects. When people build structures like Church buildings without building faith, there is always the danger of the structures collapsing later when the challenges of faith erupt.The early Church did less of structural projects but more of human empowerment and soul converting projects and was able to sustain the period of persecution. Today, the reverse is the case. Fair weather Christianity has become the order of the day and that’s why we are facing the danger of Islamization. May God bless you today!
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