HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (2)

HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: WINNING A WAR WITHOUT FIGHTING

BY: Rev Fr Livinus Igbodekwe

HOMILY:

(1 SAM 24:3-21)

One may ask “preacher how can one win a war without fighting? Is it possible? ” David has demonstrated it to us in the above passage. He never threw a stone yet he brought his enemy to his knees. He had God for his avenger just as Paul tells us that vengeance belongs to God (Rom 12:19). David still saw Saul as the Lord's anointed to whom no harm should be done (Ps 105:15). He instead of cutting off the head of Saul cut off his skirt. This demonstration of love for an enemy had been one of the hardest teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus won the war over death, sin and devil by submission to the will of God.

What should we learn from David in today’s reading? Two things:

One, wickedness abounds in the world especially in the high places like the government permissiveness to the evil killings by the Fulani herdsmen. Seeking the death of anyone who stands up and speaks the truth.

Two, even in this we can still win the war without firing a shot because if we do there will be nothing different between us and our godless opponents. Buhari is still in power as much as he remains in power he has God-given influence over the country but that doesn’t make him immune to divine judgment. Saul said to David “you are more righteous than me”. This testimony came as a result of the weapon of love.

Dear friends, we need prayer more than we need bombs and armoured cars. Let us pray that God may touch the heart of our evil opponents that they may weep one day and realise that “we are more righteous than them”.

I wish you a blessed Friday!