HOMILY/SERMON FOR 18TH FRIDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY/SERMON FOR 18TH FRIDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
Nahum 2:1,3,3:1-3,6-7, Deuteronomy 32:35-36,39,41, Matthew 16:24-28
Today’s gospel repeats some of the demands made on disciples in Matthew 10. Here, Jesus gives general instructions to disciples, once more, on the cost of discipleship, with Peter’s resistance to the idea of a suffering Messiah as a point of departure. So, Jesus’ destiny, to which Peter reacted negatively, is also the destiny of a faithful disciple, who must embrace it willingly, just like the master did. There is no cross-less Christianity. Put succinctly, to follow Jesus is to take up one’s crosses daily and walk humbly and submissively in his footsteps.
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That is how we journey into the vindication and redemption promised in the first reading by the prophet Nahum. Such a promise has its fulfillment beyond the confines of earthly existence. Its ultimate fulfillment happens when all is wrapped up in heaven, with the Father on His throne, and the Son sitting at His right hand, from where he would judge the living and the dead. In that first reading, the Lord pronounced doom on the nations that dealt ruthlessly with Israel and Judah, reminding us that He is God of all nations. All are subject to his judgment. He deals death to those who submit to the reign of evil, and life to those who live righteously. Same message is mirrored in the gospel. Quite often, the wicked constitute the suffering and crosses of Jesus’ disciples. Under the threat and actual experience of such evil, Jesus encourages us not to despair, and never think that God loves us less or abandons us. Instead, we must stay the course. Nothing or none must come between our God and us. So, we must carry our crosses and walk in Jesus’ footsteps.
Lord, help us to be committed disciples, and as Church, may we reflect the beauty of your presence amongst us. Amen.
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