YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (7)

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: CALLED AND SENT TO ALL PLACES

BY: Rev Fr Joseph Nyarko Asare

HOMILY:

(Amos 7:12-15/Ps 85:9-14/Eph 1:3-14/Mk 6:7-13)

Schooling, staying and working outside our homes are normal in all places and for all people. After my basic education, for the past 17 years, the cumulative time spent in my hometown may not be more than 60 months (5 years) if it is not less. Thus, I have been away from home in some 12 years out of the 17 years. These have been years spent on schooling and ministry. I am sure this is true in the lives of many people.

Jesus picked twelve, journeyed with them, trained them and sent them forth to speak, heal and restore. In the first reading, we read of Amos’ ministry away from home. The second reading mentions our calling to live with and for God in holiness. This calling, we read, is beyond age and creation; we were called before the foundations of the world.

Let us keep two basic truths. The first is God's planned state of life for all of us. We are called to holiness and this call is universal (Mt 5:48). Unless we live in holiness, we can never be comfortable in the company of any genuine Christian or man of God. It is dangerous to discover comfort in a body of Christ, a Church community or society filled with sinful behaviours and blunt disregard for God. Yes, if sin co-exist with comfort and peace, then the society is blind to God and running to disaster.

Since God does not desire the death of His people, He raises the likes of Amos to confront evil in society. We fight God when we fight such persons. It is better to listen to them and repent or continue in a continual state of panic and discomfort. The worse we can do is to eliminate these prophets of God and face the wrath of the Most High at the end.

The second is the role of Christians in the world. Once one accepts Jesus, the one must be the envoy of God. He/she must confront sin and work against lies. Like Amos, the one should be ready for confrontations and warfare. The person may be persecuted; but God will take care of him/her. Saying "no" to God's call to holiness in moments of this nature would mean a denial of my personality, calling and destiny.

PRAYER POINTS
~That we will allow God to use us in all circumstances
~That we will not be the reasons why people quit doing good
~For inner peace and joy

(Rev Fr Joseph Nyarko Asare of the Catholic Diocese of Obuasi)