YEAR A: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 32ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: To be Virtuous is to Live Forever
BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu
HOMILY:Â (Bible Study: Wisdom 2:23-3:9, Psalm 34 and Luke 17:7-10)
“The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish, they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be an affliction…; but they are at peace.” (Wisdom 3:1-3)
The fear of death is the greatest of all our fears. Life could be tough at times, but no one really wants to die. Death has often being described as an insult. It shows no respect for anyone, and it levels both the high and low alike.
Every time we hear about the death of someone we knew very well, the reality of our death grips us with dread, we realize that death is not so far from us and we begin to ask questions such as: “How did it happen? What killed him/her?” Underneath these questions is a strong desire to avoid death at all costs.
Finding a cure for death has been one of man’s biggest problem. Millions of dollars have gone into several research to find a way to stop the process of ageing for instance but to no avail. If we think of death as a problem, then according to today’s first reading from the book of Wisdom, the only solution to death is LIVING A LIFE OF VIRTUE. It says “The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment will ever touch them… they are at peace.”
In other words, the death of a virtuous person is not an affliction but a blessing. Live your life in such a manner that at the moment of your death, you will be happy going back home. Conquer death long before it happens. As St. Paul would say: “O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-56). What makes death painful is our sinfulness; our disconnect with God.
Living a virtuous life always appears unrewarding and painful, but as Jesus says to us in today’s Gospel passage, there is really no need to complain. Jesus teaches us to simply say: “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” (Luke 17:10) No wonder Jesus wants us to properly count the cost of following him before we even think of becoming Christians. It is not a merry-go ride. It is denying oneself, taking up the cross daily.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me wisdom to live a holy life. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Tuesday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Wisdom 2:23-3:9, Psalm 34 and Luke 17:7-10)
