YEAR A: HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)

YEAR A: HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY: (Mt. 10:24-33) Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

In today’s Gospel Jesus gives another important teaching to the apostles. He told them how important they are to the Father and to Him. The enemy, the evil one, will be there to resist and defeat them. But Jesus assured them of His company. As proof, Jesus told them that their experience will not be greater than Him. Jesus will witness to His words through His actions. Later, He would let them witness His ultimate sacrifice, His death on the cross.

It is in this sense that, at times, Christians are accused of being masochists. Actually, Jesus was just telling us that nothing can separate us from God. Our faith and relationship with God ranks first. Thus, we welcome any challenge whether it is rejection, humiliation, suffering, poverty, or even death. Going through them is worth our faith in God. Jesus set the highest standard fir Himself so as to motivate and encourage us to follow Him. Coupled with His constant presence, we gave the best and complete support to fulfill our goals.

To seek perfection is not an impossibility. Jesus said that, “Be perfect for my Father is perfect.” While we are limited and full of weaknesses, as human beings, we ought to try to achieve perfection, that is, resist sin at all times and at all cost. Joan of Arc said, “I would rather die than do something which I know to be a sin, or to be against the will of God. St. Dominic Savio was more specific, “Let me die rather than commit a single sin against chastity.” We must also take the offensive by inviting others to conversion, do acts of charity, exercise forgiveness, pray, and respect Creation.

We may not achieve being at the same status with our Lord and Master, but we will achieve the best level of holiness worthy of the Kingdom of God.