SERMON/HOMILY FOR 19TH TUESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B

SERMON/HOMILY FOR 19TH TUESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: “WHO IS THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?”

BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido 

Ezek.2:8-3:4; Matthew 18:1-5

Today’s gospel comes from the beginning of a chapter in which Jesus gave his disciples instructions about the community, Church. Today, he calls us to a life of childlike trust and simplicity, if we want to make it to heaven. In addition, the virtues of hospitality, the avoidance of scandal as well as the protection of children and vulnerable adults, compassion and forgiveness are required as passes into the kingdom of heaven. God’s love for the one stray sinner, whom the shepherd goes in search of while risking the 99 that are in safety, shows God’s love and the extent to which God would stretch his love and mercy to accommodate a sinner (cf. Hosea), whose return is always a source of joy.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: SERMON/HOMILY FOR 19TH TUESDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

God loves us fiercely; can we reciprocate? The story is told, not only so that we would be thankful for being beneficiaries of God’s forbearance, but also that it may be imitated by us, as individuals and as Church, as we would see in the rest of Matthew 18. In the early Church, the term “little ones” was used not only of children, but also of lowly, weak, needy and insignificant disciples, for whom the Church and individual apostles and disciples must show preferential and greater care, just like God does. On another occasion, the term was used of the disciples as a group, meaning all of us. Just as God purified Ezekiel for his mission and sent him in today’s first reading, so also, God has purified us in baptism, made us his own sons and daughters, and has sent us out as missionary disciples, who must bear God’s word and the gifts and fruits of the kingdom. Let us take the instructions in Matthew 18 to heart, so that we may better fulfil and accomplish our mission in today’s world. Over and above all others, God’s mission of mercy and forgiveness must find a place in our hearts and be part of our outreach to others.

Lord, purify, forgive and cure us of our own ailments and weaknesses and make us better instruments of your love and peace. Amen.

FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>