HOMILY OF THURSDAY 7TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY OF THURSDAY 7TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “IF YOUR HAND CAUSES YOU TO SIN, CUT IT OFF.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
James 5:1-6; Psalm 48(49):15-20; Mark 9:41-50
My Morning Minute With Jesus
Paul’s words that the “love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim 6:10) are common knowledge. By itself, honestly earned wealth is good and desirable. No one is destined for hell simply because s/he is rich. It must be stated clearly, however, that wealth is God’s gift, irrespective of one’s efforts. It must be treated as such, by means of responsible stewardship and accountability.
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Today’s readings warn us against oppressive and bogus acquisition of wealth, selfishness and being sources of scandal, that is, causing others to sin or misleading others. The consequences of being a source of scandal to others, especially younger people and weak ones, is so grave: compared to being sunk in the sea with a millstone around one’s neck. That is a synonym for spending one’s eternity in hell, “Gehenna, the unquenchable fire.” Same punishments await those who get rich on other’s sweat and injustice; who selfishly hoard money and material things while the needy go hungry and die around them. Ill-gotten wealth and blood money from rituals and extortion portend the same divine retribution and judgment as well. St. James also warns us against such practices; fleeting as they are but with the ability to bring about a self-destructive end. Finally, the Lord urges us to desist from all the allurements of sin; what we call occasions of sin, with the hyperbolic and metaphoric injunctions to “cut off” or “pluck out.” It must not be taken literally lest you are left with nothing. Those hands, eyes, feet and hands are the many attractions that temptingly lead us on and to ungodly ways that give us momentary pleasure and gratification but whose consequences are dire.
Lord, deliver us from the evil of ill-gotten wealth and eternal damnation. Amen.
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