HOMILY/SERMON FOR 19TH WEDNESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY/SERMON FOR 19TH WEDNESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: FORGIVENESS IS A CHOICE; GO FOR IT!
BY: Fr. Obinna Ezeaputa
Ezekiel 9:1-7,10:18-22, Ps. 113:1-6, Matthew 18:15-20
In a world torn apart by hatred and division, we need heroes of love and forgiveness. Today, we remember one such hero, Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a priest and martyr who showed us that even in the darkest of times, the power of forgiveness and reconciliation can transform lives and change the world.
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In our gospel reading (Matthew 18:15–20), Jesus reminds us that forgiveness is not just a feeling but a choice—a choice to see the good in others, even when they have wronged us, and to love them as God loves us. Jesus tells us that if our brother or sister sins against us, we should first try to resolve the issue privately and then, if necessary, involve the community.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe lived out this lesson in a remarkable way. He witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust firsthand while imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II. Yet, even in the midst of such evil, he chose to forgive and love his persecutors.
One story that stands out is when a fellow prisoner, a violent and troubled man, was caught stealing food from the others. The guards were going to punish him severely, but Maximilian intervened, saying, “Let me take his place. I’ll accept the punishment for him.” The guards were taken aback by Maximilian’s courage and selflessness, and they relented.
But what’s even more remarkable is what happened next. Maximilian’s act of kindness so moved the spared prisoner that he began to change his ways. He started helping others, sharing what little food he had, and even praying with Maximilian.
This story illustrates the power of forgiveness and reconciliation. Maximilian could have easily turned his back on the prisoner, but instead, he chose to see the good in him and help him change. And he changed the prisoner’s life and those around him.
Once again, Maximilian offered to replace a fellow prisoner facing death in Auschwitz. Instead of execution, they sent him to a starvation cell, where they left him to die slowly. Eventually, he was killed by a lethal injection. Despite the horrors he faced, Maximilian remained committed to his faith and his message of love and forgiveness until the very end.
As we reflect on the incredible life of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, let’s take his message to heart. Let’s choose to forgive, to see the good in others, and to love without limits.
In a world that often seems too dark and too divided, let’s be the light that shines bright. Let’s be the heroes of love and forgiveness that our world needs. May Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s courage and selflessness inspire us to live out our faith in bold and beautiful ways. May we always remember that forgiveness is a choice, and we should choose it every day. Amen.
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