HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (2)

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

HOMILY THEME: HOLINESS INSPIRES PRAISE

BY: Fr. Livinus Igbodekwe

HOMILY:

(2 SAM 6:12-19)
Why would one thing be precious to one person and poisonous to another? Why would the Eucharist sanctify one and condemn another? One thing seems obvious – disposition of mind. All of us have a spiritual capacity to receive grace through the sacraments. But some people have filled their spiritual receptacles with garbages of sin. Holiness and sin cannot cohabit in the same zone (Ps 5:5) and the eyes of God are holy that they can’t behold iniquity (Hab 1:13).

The story in today’s passage tells it all. We are in the second attempt to convey the ark to Jerusalem. The first attempt miscarried and misfired because of a man called Uzzah who touched the Holy chest without being in the right state to do so. Can God’s presence get really dangerous as to flare up and consume a multitude who had done nothing? The passage suggests so. But one thing is clear about God – He protects His Holiness. This fact could account for the deaths of Nadab and Abihu who offered an unholy fire before God (Lev 10). Although the ark was carried “gloriously” in a chart yet the glory couldn’t pass through because of Uzzah.

Yet the second attempt turns out to be a blessing because of another man called Obed- Edom whose righteousness became a chart for the ark. The blessing started with the house of Obed-Edom that David saw that the anger of the Lord has settled that he danced out of control and became almost naked. Holiness inspires praises while wickedness inspires disaster. David asked permission to carry the ark to near his house to share in the blessings of Obed-Edom.

He offered sacrifice of Thanksgiving and hosted the whole house of Israel with a great banquet. Dear friend are you an Uzzah or an Obed-Edom? Don’t answer this too quickly. Think. Is the glorious grace of God flowing through your life to your neighbors? If frankly so, you are an Obed- Edom. Are you a blocade on the way of grace for your neighbors? If so you are making people share in a disastrous predicament of your sins. Repent today and become a conduit of grace. I wish you a blessed Tuesday!