HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.
HOMILY THEME: PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
HOMILY:
Lk. 10:1-12
In the day’s Gospel Jesus sent His apostles to heal the sick and bring the Good News to everyone. He gave strict instructions not to bring anything which will cause them delay. It was a sign of urgency on fulfilling the mission.
Furthermore, He told them not to waste time too much time on those who would not listen and not welcome them. While Jesus would not abandon anyone, He wants His apostles to attend to those who are open and willing to listen. Finally, the apostles should welcome support. Through they should not demand them, they must accept them when provided. They deserve them not for personal reasons but to ensure the propagation of the Good News. In the very near future, the Catholic Church in the Philippines will abolish the Arancel System and will encourage the tithing system. It is a welcome development and aggiornamento in Church life. The Arancel system was meant to ensure the support for the Church with talents and finances. Unfortunately, it was associated or even directly construed as payment for the services, e.g. sacraments. They were donations, a sacrifice on the part of the faithful, which were used to sustain Church operations. The Church May accept support in order to guarantee the flow of services. Not that the graces will not be given and received, but pastors, servants, staff, and faithful would have the necessary logistics to administer the sacraments and perform the operations of the Church.
In the same way, servants receive allowances. Those are not payments in the same way that “fees” in the Arancel were also not payments. Priests receive subventions for personal maintenance and apostolates. They ought to be witnesses to simple living. Extravagance and luxury are anathema to pastors and servants. It will also be good if all the faithful will adopt the same life. Service to God is a thanksgiving. It does not and should not demand for a salary or reward. But support for the servant and His mission is always welcome. It should not be the reason for service. Rather, it should be used to fulfill the service.
