HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR 20TH WEDNESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR 20TH WEDNESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: “ARE YOU ENVIOUS BECAUSE I AM GENEROUS?”

BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido

Ezekiel 34:1-11, Ps. 23, Matthew 20:1-16

In today’s first reading, we see the sharp rebuke and condemnation of the religious and political leaders of Judah by the prophet for the negligence and abdication of their duties. Instead of caring for the sheep entrusted to them, they preyed on them. God, Shepherd of Israel, decided that they will be punished for the lack of pastoral care and accountability; in addition, God would take care of His own sheep, obviously by giving them a shepherd, who would care for them. The plight of the sheep that has the Lord as its shepherd is represented in the beautiful psalm of the day, one that many of us pray when we are in need of direction and when we are in trouble.

In Jesus, the care he has for us, his giving up of his very life as ransom for us, his laying down of his life for us even when we were sinners, and his abiding companionship with his Church and with us, God’s promise of shepherding his flock by himself is fulfilled. Hence, Jesus introduced himself to us as the Good Shepherd in John 10. All others, who are entrusted with the role and responsibility for shepherding Christ’s flock must avoid and shun the life style of the shepherds rebuked in today’s first reading. They must model their stewardship after the example of Christ himself; like Christ, they must be willing to lay down their lives for their sheep and serve instead of craving positions, honor, influence, power, wealth and entitlement to being served. Their labor must service the nooks and crannies, the highways and byways of today’s world in order to bring all into the Lord’s vineyard, without judging the qualifications of those invited to partake in the labor of the Lord. They must learn from the generosity of the land owner, Jesus himself, in dispensing the graces and services appointed to them. Today’s gospel parable reminds us once more that there is ample room for everyone in God’s kingdom and that we must join the master in welcoming everyone who has responded to the Lord’s invitation, with an openness to the accommodation of even the least of God’s children.

Lord, bless the shepherds you have given to us in the different spheres of life; may they be true and generous servants of their flock. Amen.

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