WEEKDAY HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)

WEEKDAY HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

THEME: IF THERE IS A SINNER, THERE IS A REDEEMER. IF THERE IS SICKNESS, THERE IS A HEALER

BY: Rev. Fr. Utazi Prince Marie Benignus

HOMILY: Genesis 3:1-8; Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7; Mark 7:31-37

I pray for you: May you know the healing and forgiving presence of God in your life and may that be the focus of your attention at all times. AMEN.

I can begin with this question: how truthful is the account of the sinful tendencies that are shared with us through the fall of Adam and Eve. Their experiences are reflected in our everyday adventures. Humans have not progressed that much from those first human beings who chose sin rather than doing God’s will. We are still being deceived or are letting ourselves be deceived by falsehood. We still fail to take full responsibility for our wrong doings. We still seek to cover up our mistakes. We still try to blame others for our transgressions. Nonetheless, God is still the Loving Being who seeks us out and desires to restore us to a renewed relationship.

Our readings speak of maladies and healing from both sin and physical ailments. Maladies are spiritual (sin) and physical (sickness and disabilities).
The First Reading is the story of the human “original sin.” The story of the “original sin” is not just the story of Eve and Adam, it is our story. What is stated in the account describes what all of us go through when we are tempted and give into sin. We can easily see how we are offspring of the first couple and are weakened and prone to sin, just as they were. The passage begins with the introduction of the serpent, the symbol of evil, which is cunning and deceitful. The serpent begins with a question which is a purposeful misstatement of the truth. Eve is asked if God forbids eating of fruit of all the trees in the garden. The truth is twisted by the serpent. Eve continues twisting the truth also. She adds an element to the command given by God. She truthfully says that God has forbidden them to eat of the tree in the center of the garden. She then adds her own (false) interpretation of God’s command. She says that God forbids them to even touch the tree. The serpent continues twisting the truth, saying that God knows the power of the fruit of the tree will cause them to know as much as God and be like God themselves. As with all temptations, there seems to be an element of benefit, or at least pleasurable enticement. The full evil is not visible because of the deception. The fruit looks “pleasing to the eyes and desirable for gaining wisdom.” After eating of the fruit, Eve shares the fruit with Adam. In a sense they would echo the common excuse today, “Well everybody was doing it!” She falsely thinks that if both she and her husband do the wrong thing, God will not become angry with the whole human race (of two).

The first sign of the sin being committed is their awareness of what it does to their relationship with each other and with God. They realize they can no longer be open with each other. The first “cover up” begins and will continue in the reading tomorrow. God acts as if nothing is changed when the Lord God comes moving (walking) at the “windy time of the day,” the time just before dusk when the Near East often experiences a breeze. With fear, the couple hid themselves from God, just as little children (and adults) do when they fear to be in the presence of authority when they know they have done something wrong.
The Responsorial reminds us that God forgives sin and brings salvation to those who seek God’s forgiveness. We are reminded that God is willing to forgive sin when the sinner acknowledges his/her wrongdoing and seeks God’s help. Forgiveness demands acceptance of responsibility (something that Adam and Eve will continue not to do in tomorrow’s reading). As one humbly accepts the fault and calls out to God, God will bring salus.

In the Gospel, Jesus restores a man who could not hear nor speak properly. The Gospel reminds us of the source of healing, well-being, and salvation. It is in and through the power of Jesus (Yeshua – “God saves”). A man comes into the scene. The man is both (at least partially) deaf and dumb (in the original meaning of “not being able to speak”). He has friends who bring him to Jesus. Jesus draws the man aside and uses visual actions of touching, spitting, and praying to His Father. He speaks, “Ephphatha” (“Be open”). The man is restored to full hearing and speaking. Once again Jesus proceeds by telling the healed (saved) man to keep the miracle to himself. In this passage it is not (just) the healed man, but also some others (a plural verb is used) who announce and proclaim the wonders of Jesus.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, we are so much like Adam and Eve. We fall into the same pitfalls of being deceived by falsehoods and choosing a superficial and temporary “pleasant-looking” thing rather than doing what we know we should be doing. We try to get other people to do what we do, so that there is the assumption (false though it may be) that there is safety in numbers, especially if it is all the persons (two at the time). We are also like the healed man who experiences the touch of Jesus in our lives. Once we have had the positive experience, we fail to follow fully the Lord Jesus’ command. We do what comes naturally, rather than do what Jesus asks of us. The message of hope in the readings comes from knowing that if we admit our mistakes, God will extend to us the forgiveness and salus (healing, well-being and salvation) which Jesus has gained for us.

MEDITATION How have I let deception lead me astray? Have I excused myself from taking personal responsibility by becoming one of a group? When I have sought forgiveness from God, what sense of healing, wholeness did I experience? What can I do bring the message of God’s forgiveness and healing to others?

PRAYER Lord God, we come before You, humbly admitting our sins and failings. We call out to You for healing. We thank You for sending us Your Son, Jesus, not only to bring us healing of body, but also and more importantly, healing of our souls through His death and resurrection. It is in His name that we lift this prayer of praise and glory to You, for He is Your Son, and our Savior, Who has taken away our sins and waits for us to accept the gift of divine forgiveness, as He is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen.