YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE 5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (3)

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE 5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: “AND THE FEVER LEFT HER AND SHE BEGAN TO WAIT ON THEM!”

BY: Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu

HOMILY: This is the 5th Sunday in ordinary time. We live in a world that is seriously sick. The world needs healing like Peter’s mother-in-law. The problem of the “sick – world” is man-made and not from God. The situation is so damaged and truncated that we are forced into desperation. Like Job, all of us are having sleepless nights that we wonder, “when will it be day” (Job 7:1-4, 6-7). Our hearts are broken and we need help. We cannot survive on our own without God!

Hence, to restore happiness and joy to the world we all need serious healing like Peter’s mother-in-law. We all need to borrow a leaf from Saint Paul who says: “… though, I am not a slave of any man I have made myself the slave of everyone so as to win as many as I could… I made myself all things to all men in order to save some at any cost…” (1 Cor. 9:16-19, 22-23). Can we see the sacrifice Paul made like Christ to save others? Can we do the same today?

As soon as Jesus entered Simon’s house they told him about the condition of the mother-in-law straightaway (Mk. 1:29-39). They did not delay in presenting the case to the Master who has power and authority over all things. Peter’s household trusted Jesus and believed what he can do. Jesus laid hands on her and she got up and began to serve them at table. This is awesome.

The whole town brought those who were sick of all kinds and Jesus healed them. Now that the entire world is sick and bewitched by corona virus pandemic, we need to fall on our knees to tell Jesus that we are sick? This demands strong faith and trust in his power to heal. It requires conversion of heart and caring for all. It needs all of us going in search of Jesus who has gone into a lonely place to pray. Like Simon and his companions, let us tell Jesus, “Everybody is looking for you!” and the pandemic will leave us to serve the Lord. Happy Sunday and stay safe!

-Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu