SUNDAY HOMILY OF 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
SUNDAY HOMILY OF 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: LANGUAGE OF HOPE AND RESTORATION
BY: Fr. Isaac Awe
Isaiah 35:4-7, James 2:1-5, Mark 7:31-37
“Say to the fainthearted: “Take courage and fear not! Behold, your God will bring the vindication of retribution. God himself will arrive to save you.” Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be cleared. Then the disabled will leap like a buck, and the tongue of the mute will be untied. (Isaiah 35:4-6). Today’s first reading is parallel to John 14:1 which says, “Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe in me also”. Hence, it’s not a gainsaying that today’s liturgical readings are strictly suitable for our contemporary situation in our country Nigeria where many people are smiling but bleeding within themselves, many people are working but nothing to show for it, many people are sick financially, emotionally, psychologically, physically and even socially. Many families are broken due to the situation of the country while many are dead due to starvation or unemployment because democracy is now the government of the looters, by the looters and for the looters.
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One thing is that we are encouraged to be men and women of hope and the hope is given to us again through our first reading by God and not man like that of EMILOKAN renewed hope that led us to where we are today. Therefore, “Cursed is a man who trusts in man, and who establishes what is flesh as his right arm, and whose heart withdraws from the Lord.(Jeremiah 17:5)
Do we expect the Lord to treat us well? Whatever Jesus did, he did well. He demonstrated both the beauty and goodness of God in his actions. When Jesus heals a man who is both deaf and a stutterer he shows his considerateness for this man’s predicament. JESUS TAKES HIM ASIDE PRIVATELY, NOT DOUBT TO REMOVE HIM FROM EMBARRASSMENT WITH A NOISY CROWD OF GAWKERS. HE PUTS HIS FINGERS INTO HIS EARS AND HE TOUCHES HIS TONGUE WITH HIS OWN SPITTLE TO PHYSICALLY IDENTIFY WITH THIS MAN’S INFIRMITY AND TO AWAKEN FAITH IN HIM. With a word of command the poor man’s ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
What is the significance of Jesus putting his fingers in the man’s ears? Gregory the Great from the 6th century writes: “The Spirit is called the finger of God. When the Lord puts his fingers into the ears of the deaf mute, he was opening the soul of man to faith through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.” The people’s response to this miracle testifies to Jesus’ great care for others: He has done all things well. No problem or burden was too much for Jesus’ careful consideration. The Lord treats each of us with kindness and compassion and he calls us to treat one another in like kind. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us enables us to love as Jesus loves. Do we love others and treat them with consideration as Jesus did?
THREE POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND REGARDING TODAY’S SECOND READING:
Those we think are useless or helpless are specially loved by God.
Our attitude towards them can gain us blessings or curse.
Only God knows tomorrow.
Dear friends in Christ, to be one of the beneficiaries of today’s blessings, peace and healing, we have to put the following into consideration:
* Religion with conscience (Acts 23:1)
* A religion with both external and inward transformation.
* Religion with obedience.
* Religion with character.
* Religion with mercy and love.
Reflection: “The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our supporter.”(Psalm 46:12)
PRAYER: Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit and inflame our hearts with love and compassion. Make us attentive to the needs of others that we may show them kindness and care. Make us instruments of your mercy and peace that we may help others find healing and wholeness in you. Amen
Happy Sunday!
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