Homily for Tuesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II (3)

Homily for Tuesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle II

Theme: The power of love and beauty of faith in God.

By: Fr. Francis Onwunali

Homily for Tuesday February 1 2022

As we celebrate in thanksgiving this first day of the month of February for God’s mercy and compassion, we are admonished not to underestimate the power of love and beauty of faith in God.

In the first reading (2 Sam. 18: 9-10, 14, 24-25, 30- 19: 3) we continue with the bitter relationship between David and his son, Absalom. Unexpectedly today Absalom met his death when his head was caught in between the branch of an Oak tree and further hastened by David’s army commander, Joab, who thought he was doing the king a favour by killing Absalom. However, when the information reached David, the love for his son overwhelmed him that he forgot Absalom’s atrocities and mourned for his death. Never underestimate the power of love in your life. Live in love and act in love!
In the gospel (Mark 5: 21-43), Jesus responds to the heartfelt plea of Jarius to restore his daughter to health. In the process, the convincing faith and trust of the hemorrhaging woman restores her to health too.

Dear friends, there are times in life when we are faced with seeming hopeless situation, we need to remove anything that could dampen our faith and hear the words of Jesus Who said to Jarius: “The child is not dead but asleep”. Can you reach out in faith to touch the cloak of Jesus like the woman did? And can you walk with Jesus into the silence in faith and trust where Jesus will pronounce the “Talitha, kum” (Little girl, I tell you to get up) words on your situation?

I pray as we journey in life today, we need to realize that just as David’s love for his son Absalom moved him to tears, that our God, Whom we call “Abba” (Daddy), loves us even more than David loved his son who plotted against him. May that which is apparently dead or dying in my life today receive the new life that only Jesus can give. With the Psalmist we pray: “Give joy to your servant, O Lord, for to you I lift up my soul” (Ps. 86: 4). Have a “Talitha, Kum-full” day and Happy New Month!

Fr. Francis Onwunali