HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (3)

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: ADULTERY IS A SIN

BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu

HOMILY:

“As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” Nathan said to David, “You are the man.” 2 Samuel 12:5-7.

Our readings today are loaded with lots of lessons for us, some of which I shall try to unpack.

First, let us consider for a moment the courage of Nathan. It is not easy to confront people with the truth of their sins, not to mention if those persons occupy very high positions of authority and power. In all of Israel, no man was higher than David, yet Nathan found a way to rebuke him directly face to face with his sin.

This is the job of a prophet. Many who call themselves prophets today are nothing short of praise singers, motivational speakers, feel-good-speakers who encourage evil and sin in our society by not confronting sin head-on.

I particularly titled this reflection “Adultery is a sin” on purpose. Dear friends, regardless of what people think, regardless of whatever definition our immoral world describes it, adultery is still a sin and on no account whatsoever is the act of sex between two unmarried persons ever justified. Using the words of David, anyone who indulges in adultery deserves to die!

The truth is that our society tends to apply double standards when it comes to adultery. If a man cheats, it is said that he attaches no emotions to the act and his wife should just understand and let it go but when a woman cheats, all hell must be let loose. This way of thinking reduces the woman to a toy; something to be used, a second class human being who has no right to be respected. If as a man, you can’t stand the thought of another man sleeping with your wife, why do you cheat on her?

Secondly, another lesson we learn today is the wise old saying that when one finger points at others, the remaining four fingers point back to the self. See how David was moved to anger against the man in Nathan’s story not knowing that he was only passing a judgement on himself. This is just life.

We tend to condemn everyone else but ourselves; we always see the specks in people’s eyes but never notice the logs in our own eyes. We do things in secret assuming people do not know but we seem to know what everyone else is doing in secret. The faults we notice faster in others are those that we ourselves are most guilty of.

Dear friend, this story calls us to examine our consciences very well and repent.

Thirdly, we learn that nothing is hidden under the sun. The fact that no one has confronted you yet does not mean people are not aware. It is better not to do evil than to try to hide it. In an attempt to hide his adultery, David ended up with Murder. Mind you, Uriah was no ordinary soldier, he was one of David’s most loyal fighters; he was a personal person! Just know that sin can never be hidden in this world. If you tell one lie, you need at least ten more lies to cover it and each of those ten lies need ten more. How much more when you sin with your body?

Thirdly, we learn that God is moved by a humbled contrite heart. David was quick to admit his secret affair, he did not deny it! As a result of his admittance of fault, David did not die immediately rather than he would serve another punishment; watching the child of his adulterous affair die.

This tells us that even when we go for confession, there is still a punishment we serve for committing sin. Many Catholics deceive themselves a lot; they are like: “after all, isn’t just to go and confess.” A lady once told a priest at confession that she was making plans to commit the sin she had just confessed that very night. The priest had no choice other than to send her away without absolving her; there was just no atom of repentance, she did not really come to confess but to boast of her sinful escapades.

Dear friend, the God who killed David’s child and literally ended the peace and harmony in David’s household after his adulterous act is the same God that we serve. I don’t say this to scare anyone but to encourage us in our resolve to avoid sin. Do not take God for granted, do not hide under the pretext that Christ has taken away our sins on the cross, strive to avoid sin even if it means shedding your blood because no matter how you try, you can never escape the punishment of sin. from on Monday, we shall read about how David had to flee like a fugitive from his own Son!!!

Does this message disturb your inner peace like the way the disciples of Jesus were afraid of drowning in today’s Gospel passage? Jesus says: “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” Believe. Believe that you can live above sin. Believe that you are not just flesh but spirit. Yes, body no be firewood, but body na also temple of Holy Spirit oh.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, renew my anointing every day. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent. Bible Study: 2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17 and Mark 4:35-41