HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: AUTHENTIC FAITH BRINGS TRUE HAPPINESS ALWAYS!

BY: Fr. Obinna Ezeaputa

Jeremiah 15:10,16-21, Psalm 59:2-5,10-11,17-18, Matthew 13:44-46

Today, we celebrate the memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, a true follower of Jesus. His story shows us that following Jesus isn’t always easy; we’ll face obstacles and tough times. But here’s the thing: It’s in those tough moments that we figure out what we really believe in and experience the incredible happiness that comes from trusting in God’s plan.

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In our first reading (Jeremiah 15:10, 16–21), the prophet Jeremiah laments, “Woe to me, mother, that you bore me, a man of strife and contention to all the land!” (Jeremiah 15:10). Saint Ignatius knew what it was like to struggle, too.

At first, as a young nobleman, Ignatius sought power and prestige, driven by a desire for wealth, status, and recognition. But while recovering from a severe war injury, he had a life-changing encounter with God. This profound spiritual awakening made him surrender his life to Christ, renouncing his former ambitions to serve others.

His conversion wasn’t a smooth one. He faced pushback from the people closest to him—his family and friends thought he was abandoning his privileged upbringing for this new life with God. Unfortunately, this is still true for many of us today.

Maya was a talented event planner in her late 20s who lit up the room with her infectious energy and adventurous spirit. Growing up, Maya’s family didn’t really focus on faith or spirituality. Everyone who knew Maya admired her self-assurance, creativity, and kindness.

Maya’s life took a sudden turn when she faced a near-death experience. A heart-to-heart talk with a Catholic friend made her take a step back and reevaluate things. This led her to start exploring Catholicism. She felt like she’d finally found where she belonged, like discovering a new family and a new sense of direction.

While preparing to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion, Maya was always attending daily Mass, praying every day, and volunteering whenever her help was needed. She also started dressing modestly, turned down “certain” party invitations, and took a closer look at her friendships, making sure they aligned with her values. She felt like she was becoming the best version of herself!

Maya’s friends thought she was going through a phase, trying to be someone she’s not. They’d say things like, “You’re still the same, Maya; don’t try to be someone you’re not!” or “What’s with the sudden holier-than-thou attitude?” They just didn’t understand that Maya had found a new sense of purpose and belonging in her faith.

Maya’s family was also worried that she was getting too caught up in her new faith or was just trying to get attention. They thought her faith was just a phase, and she’d get bored or worn out of it soon enough. But Maya knew that her faith was real, and that she had found a new path in life that brought her true joy and peace.

Even with all the struggles, Maya found comfort and peace in her faith, just like the saints Jeremiah and Ignatius did. She prayed constantly, asking for guidance and courage. She was blessed to have wise spiritual mentors who guided her on her spiritual path. Through it all, Maya’s heart grew closer to God, and she found joy in her journey.

As time went on, Maya’s loved ones started to notice a real difference in her. They didn’t need her to preach or explain her faith; they saw it shining through in her actions. They witnessed her caring for others, being understanding and kind, and slowly but surely, they began to get it.

Maya’s journey shows us that following God’s path isn’t always easy. Her story teaches us that being true to ourselves and our faith, even when it’s hard, is the key to living a life that’s real, meaningful, and fulfilling. By staying faithful to God’s call, we can find our own path to true joy and peace.

As we celebrate the memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, let us take a page from his life to stay true to our faith, even when it’s tough. And when we face resistance or doubt, let’s turn to God’s word, the saints, and spiritual mentors for strength and guidance. May we, like Maya and Saint Ignatius, experience the incredible joy that comes from surrendering our lives to Christ and living a life that’s authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling. Amen.

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