HOMILY OF MONDAY 15TH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

HOMILY OF MONDAY 15TH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: THE SWORD OF DISCIPLESHIP

BY: Fr. Obinna Ezeaputa

Isaiah 1:10-17, Psalm 50:8-9,16-17,21,23, Matthew 10:34-11:1

Our gospel reading (Matthew 10:34–11:1) presents a challenging message. Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword.” These words may seem contradictory to our understanding of Jesus as the Prince of Peace. However, Jesus is not talking about physical violence, but rather about the division that comes with following Him.

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As Saint Bonaventure, a Franciscan bishop and doctor of the Church, understood, true discipleship requires a willingness to embrace the cross and follow Jesus, even when it means going against the norms of society or family expectations. Bonaventure’s life and teachings embodied this spirit of radical discipleship as he sought to deepen our understanding of God’s love and presence in our lives.

John was a successful businessman in his late 30s. He had a lucrative career, a beautiful family, and a comfortable lifestyle. But despite having all these outward successes, John felt like something was missing. He felt a nagging sense that there must be more to life than just making money and living comfortably. He felt a hunger in his heart for something more meaningful and fulfilling.

As John started searching for more meaning in his life, he learned about the Franciscan way of life. Their commitment to living simply and serving others attracted him, compelling him to follow Jesus in a more meaningful way. But this new path wasn’t easy; his family and friends thought he was nuts for considering leaving his excellent job and comfy lifestyle to pursue a life of service and simplicity. They saw it as a waste of everything he had worked for, and they tried to convince him otherwise.

However, John couldn’t dismiss the sense that he had a greater purpose in life. He started praying and thinking deeply about his life, seeking advice from spiritual directors and mentors. And eventually, he made the difficult decision to leave his old life behind and follow Jesus in a more meaningful and committed way.

When John decided to leave his old life behind and follow Jesus in a more radical way, his friends and family didn’t understand. They thought he was making a huge mistake by being foolish and rebellious. But John was convinced that he was doing what God wanted him to do, and that gave him the strength to keep going. As he started this new chapter in his life, John felt a sense of purpose and happiness that he had never felt before. He found joy in helping others, living simply, and growing closer to God.

John’s story shows what it means to really follow Jesus, just like Saint Bonaventure did. It means being willing to take a different path, even if it’s hard or unpopular. It means being willing to give up things that don’t matter as much in order to focus on what really matters: following God. It shows that doing this can bring us purpose and happiness we never thought possible.

In his writings, Bonaventure stressed the need for humility and detachment from worldly attachments, echoing the words of Jesus in today’s gospel. For Bonaventure, this meant renouncing wealth and status to follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi and dedicating his life to preaching, teaching, and writing about the beauty of God’s love.

As we reflect on the life and teachings of Bonaventure, let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to embrace the sword of discipleship, even when it means going against the norms of society or family expectations? Do we believe in God’s providence and rely on him for our needs? Are we holding on to our own attachments and desires, missing out on the joy and freedom that come from following Jesus?

May Saint Bonaventure’s example inspire us to seek God with all our heart and to proclaim the Gospel with joy and simplicity. May we be willing to embrace the sword of discipleship and follow Jesus wherever He may lead us. May we, like Bonaventure, discover the depths of God’s love and presence in our lives, and may that experience transform us. Amen.

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