HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (2)

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: MUCH SIN LESS GLORY (1SAM 4:1-11)

BY: Rev. Fr Livinus Igbodekwe

HOMILY:

Each of us has a measure of grace allowed us by God. It is either that that grace increases or decreases in accordance with our daily living.

This is why St Paul asks “shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ” (Rom 6:1). We can gain glory we can as well loose glory. Just as Samson lost glory and virtue by sin of the flesh and thereby lost God given strength. 40 years after his death Eli judged Israel. He and his sons failed to hearken to the Lord’s warning of changing their evil ways. God often warns a sinner much often. When he fails he faces damnation. The same was the case of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas as well as Israelites in general. They failed to realize that the presence of sin reduces the available of grace and glory.

The did the normal ritual by carrying the ark to battle yet nothing happened. Rather more thousands were slaughtered. We may have a nice, beautiful and gothic church building without glory of God in it. We may shout and dance and praise but produce “empty clatter” if we fail to grow in righteousness.

God needs a life more than He needs a ritual. I wish you a blessed Thursday. Amen.