HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (1)

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

HOMILY THEME: THE FATHER’S WILL

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(Mk. 3:31-35)
In the day’s Gospel, Jesus seems to be going against the ten commandments to honour thy parents and love of neighbor. When He was alerted of the presence of His mother, brothers, and sisters, instead of just acknowledging them, He threw back the question to His listeners as to who are His mother, brothers, and sisters. Jesus was busy doing His Fathers’ business in this situation. He took again the opportunity to reveal to them what relationships entail. Relationships are not just be blood, affinity, citizenship, or any commonality but following the will of God.

For us Filipinos this is easy to understand. We are fond of “padrinos”. We take advantage of patronage. “Utang na loob” is a very strong and prevailing character to most of us. There is something good in it. But sometimes it is practiced to a fault. Jesus’ response puts an end to that. He clarified that more than our connections and ties, the real child of God is the one who follows the will of the Father. I think, subtly, He was also insinuating that the closer you are to God, the more you are a follower of His will.

This is very clear when we have sacramental celebrations. Choosing Godparents had become a way to increase influence by getting, usually, the rich, famous and powerful. Godparents, even by the name itself means, they are to represent God in those children. They are given the primary responsibility to see to it that the children are reared according to the life of Christ. Other goals for the child like riches, power and fame are not bad. But they are not Gods’ priority. Following His will which will certainly bring the child to be with Him in His Kingdom is the priority.

It is a classic homily that the sacraments we have received are not guarantees of salvation. They are suppose to provide us with the graces to holiness. If we make use of those graces, which is the will of God, we become true children of God, that is, belonging to the Kingdom with God.