YEAR A: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF LENT (2)
(RNS2-oct27) Afternoon prayer at the St. George Church in the historic Assyrian Christian town of Alqosh in the Nineveh Plain of Iraqi Kurdistan. Locals adhere to the Chaldeon Catholic religion. The town was nearly overrun by Islamic fighters earlier this summer, when Peshmerga forces withdrew their forces, abandoning the Christian town. Photo by Jodi Hilton
YEAR A: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF LENT
HOMILY THEME: LENT: DAY 12 – FAST FROM INJUSTICE; EMBRACE TRUE RELIGION
BY: Rev. Fr. Jacob Aondover ATSU
HOMILY: READINGS: ISAIAH 1:10.16-20, PSALM 50, MATTHEW 23:1-12
Beloved in Christ, Any religion that does not create wings to lift people up to God but a deadweight to drag them down to despair is no religion at all. True religion invites joy into the life of a Christian whilst chasing out depression; it helps and not oppress people. True religion carries people alongside their burdens and not the other way round. For Christ, religion ceases to be true when it becomes a depressing affair of burdens and prohibitions. OUR CHURCHES OUGHT TO BE HAVENS WHERE THE STRAYING AND LOST FIND SUCCUOR AND THE WEARY AND HEAVY LADEN FIND REST.
Furthermore, we are exhorted to shun the ‘Showy kinda Christianity’ and never to appropriate unto ourselves the honour that is not ours. We are rather meant to humbly go about our religious observances, serving and catering for the needs of our brothers and sisters only then would God exalt us from our lowly positions in life (Matt. 23:12). It is saddening how we understand Christianity today. While the early Christians understood it to be a community of believers bonded by the principles of love and equality, we take it to be a ground where we can exert our influence. People now scramble for positions of leadership in Church (even using devious means). A rethink is necessary here if we are to make any headway in our vocation.
Moreover, that which really matters to God is neither position nor power; it is what Isaiah captures nicely in 1:16-20. Leaders and indeed all of us are called to purge ourselves of evil and learn to do good. In a world where justice and equity are found only on paper, we are reminded to enhance these even as we fight oppression, defend the fatherless, the weak and the orphans. God calls on those who have the wherewithal today to go all out in defense of the defenseless and help fight against injustice and oppression. Failure to hearken God’s call can only spell doom, devouring by the sword (Isa. 1:20). I pray God to help shepherd his flock where men-shepherds have failed. Amen.
ACT AGAINST, OPPOSE, REBUKE, DENOUNCE, REPROACH, LAMBASTE, REPROVE AND BERATE INJUSTICE! IT IS AN UNWELCOMED GUEST!
FEED AND EDUCATE ONE
