HOMILY OF 32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY OF 32ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: GIVING ALL IS GAINING ALL
BY: Fr. Isaac Awe
1 Kg 17:10-16, Heb 9 : 24 – 28, Mk 12:38-44
If Jesus were to be here looking at what you would put in the offering bag, would you still put the amount you had in mind when you left home? The lord has said: These people approach me with words and honour me with their lips , while their hearts stay far from him. (Isaiah 29:13) Let us serve God and not men by shunning pretence.
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However, It takes a good man to give much from the much he has; it takes a saint to give much from the little he has. To live on the achievements of past generations and die without bequeathing any values to future generations is the real tragedy of life. Don’t let us be caught in that tragedy! Hence, charity obliges us to gain everything genuinely and give everything generously.
Generosity demands a measure of self-sacrifice. It doesn’t impoverish, but rather enriches the soul of the giver. True generosity springs from a heart full of mercy and compassion. Out cardinal responsibility is to help others by the gifts we receive from God. None of us is so poor that he cannot offer anything to others, Jesus went about helping people. To the hungry, he offers “the bread of life”; to the thirsty, he offers “living water”. He also went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38)
What is true religion? Jesus warns his disciples against the wrong kind of religion. In his denunciation of the scribes (the religious experts of his day) , he warns against three things: the desire for prominence rather than selfless service; the desire for deference and recognition (and seeking esteem from others) rather than seeking to promote the good of others through humble service and love; and thirdly, attempting to use one’s position (even a religious position) for self-gain and self-advancement. True religion is relating rightly to God and to one’s neighbour with love, honour, and reverence. The Lord puts his Spirit within us that we may be filled with the joy of his presence, the joy of true worship, and the joy of selfless giving and love for others. True reverence for God frees the heart to give liberally, both to God and to one’s neighbour.
Jesus taught his disciples a dramatic lesson in giving with love. Love doesn’t calculate; it spends lavishly! Jesus drove this point home to his disciples while sitting in the temple and observing people offering their tithes. Jesus praised a poor widow who gave the smallest of coins in contrast with the rich who gave greater sums. How can someone in poverty give more than someone who has ample means? Jesus’ answer is very simple: love is more precious than gold! Jesus taught that real giving must come from the heart. A gift that is given with a grudge or for display loses most of its value. But a gift given out of love, with a spirit of generosity and sacrifice, is invaluable. The amount or size of the gift doesn’t matter as much as the cost to the giver. The poor widow could have kept one of her coins, but instead she recklessly gave away all she had! Jesus praised someone who gave barely a penny – how insignificant a sum – because it was everything she had, her whole living. What we have to offer may look very small and not worth much, but if we put all we have at the Lord’s disposal, no matter how insignificant it may seem, then God can do with it and with us what is beyond our reckoning. Do we know the joy and freedom of giving liberallyto God and to our neighbour with gratitude and love?
LESSONS
Whatever you fail to give in charity would leave you in several folds.
Many people don’t give because they feel charity diminishes their wealth.
A generous man is blessed. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed”(Proverbs 11:25) No matter the antagonising forces, “the harvest of a generous man is sure” (proverbs 11:18)
Charity also breaks yoke: The shunnammite broke the yoke of barrenness with her generosity to Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-17); Solomon broke the yoke of poverty through his generosity (2Chronicles 1:6-7).
Reflection: “True friends are like stars; you can only recognise them when it’s dark around you”(Bob Marley)
Task: Put smiles on one or two faces this week with your act of generosity no matter how small it may be.
PRAYER: Lord, all that I have is yours. Take my life, my possessions, my time and all that I have and use them as you desire for your glory. Amen
Happy Sunday!
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