YEAR A: HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (2)

YEAR A: HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 16TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: God will Make a Way

BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu

HOMILY: Exodus 14:5-8 and John 20:1-2,11-18

“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher) (John 20:15-16).

As I was going through today’s readings, I immediately started singing Don Moen’s song: God will make a way, where there seems to be no way, He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side. With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way.

By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me, and rivers in the desert will I see. Heaven and Earth will fade but His Word will still remain, and He will do something new today….
Slavery is such a grave evil humans inflict on one another. Slavery begins with a basic lack of respect for the dignity of a fellow human being. Every time you look down on others or deny them of their human rights, every time you exploit others’ talents, energies and time against their will and without adequate and proper remuneration, know that you are no better than Pharaoh and his household. The painful reality is that despite the fact that we are Christians, slavery continues to happen in our homes today under the guise of house helps, apprentices and the like.

One thing we need to understand about slavery is that it is not only the slave that suffers, but the slave-master is also equally affected and destroyed. This is the point Asa, the musician made when she sang “I’m in chains, you are in chains too. I wear uniforms, you wear uniforms too.” Lack of respect for your fellow human being does not make you a higher species.

The real impact of slavery is not so much the physical wounds inflicted on people, but the psychological destruction it brings within a person. The slave begins to think of himself in such low terms that he craves for and worship his master. This is the stage of surrender! In the presence of his master, he is overcome by fear. This was the type of fear that gripped the Israelites in the presence of Pharaoh. They even said to Moses, “where there no better tombs in Egypt that you brought us out here to die?”

That was when Moses sang: GOD WILL MAKE A WAY. Be still. Be calm. Relax. Fear Not. Just watch and see. Let God fight for you. Do not be in a haste to act. These Egyptians you see now, you will see them no more. Each time, we are consumed by fear, we should remember this encounter. Never underestimate the power of God. Be calm, and know God knows how to make ways where there is none.

Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Mary Magdalene. The following extract is culled from Catholic Online.org:
St. Mary Magdalene is one of the greatest saints of the Bible and a legendary example of God’s mercy and grace. The precise dates of her birth and death are unknown, but we do know she was present with Christ during his public ministry, death and resurrection. She is mentioned at least a dozen times in the Gospels. The Gospels agree that Mary was originally a great sinner. Jesus cast seven demons out of her when he met her. There is also debate over if Mary Magdalene is the same unnamed women, a sinner, who weeps and washes Jesus’ feet with her hair in the Gospel of John. Scholars are skeptical this is the same person.

Despite the scholarly dispute over her background, what she did in her subsequent life, after meeting Jesus, is much more significant. She was certainly a sinner whom Jesus saved, giving us an example of how no person is beyond the saving grace of God. During Jesus’ ministry, it is believed that Mary Magdalene followed him, part of a semi-permanent entourage who served Jesus and his Disciples.

Mary likely watched the crucifixion from a distance along with the other women who followed Christ during His ministry. Mary was present when Christ rose from the dead, visiting his tomb to anoint his body only to find the stone rolled away and Christ, very much alive, sitting at the place they laid Him. She was the first witness to His resurrection.

St. Mary Magdalene’s feast day is July 22. She is the patroness of converts, repentant sinners, sexual temptation, pharmacists, tanners and women, and many other places and causes.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, save me from fear, Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 16th week in Ordinary Time. Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. Bible Study: Exodus 14:5-8 and John 20:1-2,11-18).