HOMILY OF THURSDAY 16TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY OF THURSDAY 16TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “CAN YOU DRINK THE CUP THAT I AM GOING TO DRINK?”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
2 Cor 4:7-15; Psalm 125(126):1-6; Matt 20:20-28
The readings on the feast of the Apostle James remind us of the nature of our true identity as Jesus’ disciples and of the need to always have Jesus in front while we follow him faithfully and humbly. St. Paul, in the first reading, made this clear to the Corinthians as he discussed his mandate and service in words that are too good to paraphrase: “We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” No matter how much we have accomplished, then, or how long we have been in the service of Christ, we should not be enslaved by a sense of entitlement and importance that makes us forget our nothingness. We lay claim to nothing but the life of Christ that is in us. Mere earthen vessels, made who we are by who and what we bear, Christ. Through our work and “accomplishments,” St. Paul advices that God’s “grace is multiplied among people” so that there may be more thanksgiving, “to the glory of God.” Anything that points us in a direction that is opposite or contrary to this primary goal is from the evil one, who continues to sponsor rebellion against God, even from within the fold or the Church.
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Once we have this understanding of ourselves, we would appreciate Jesus’ response to the request from the mother of the sons of Zebedee (in Mark’s gospel, from the sons themselves) and the instruction that followed more. Discipleship is a life of sacrifice, in which we must be willing to unite ourselves with the passion and death of Christ, without counting the cost or expecting entitlements and rewards, other than Christ’s life in us. Authentic discipleship must, therefore, recognize our nothingness before God and humans, and commit to a life of humble service of God and neighbor. A true disciple continues and imitates the Master’s sacrifice of giving “his life as a ransom for many,” in complete and generous humility, selfless service and compassionate presence, devoid of envy, jealousy and unnecessary bickering.
Lord Jesus, help us, like you and St. Paul, to pour out our lives as a libation, an acceptable sacrifice of humble service and witness, to the glory of the God the Father. Amen.
St. James; Pray for Us!
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