YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: LACK OF FAITH IS A LIMITATION TO GOD’S BLESSINGS
BY: Fr. Cosmas Ukadike CM
In the letter to the Hebrews, we read that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (11, 1). And the letter went on to give examples of individual faith experiences from Abel, through Enoch to Abraham and Moses, and further proceeded to the collective faith of the Israelites (11, 4-40).
Thus emphasizing that faith is essential in the following of Christ. For we need to trust that our hope and believe in God will not fail us, just as it did not fail our forebears.
Outside his hometown, Jesus preached and taught people and they believed and followed his teaching. But on his arrival to his home town, his own people rejected him, not because he didn’t preach well or give them enough time as he did for other people, but simply because they knew him from Adam. They could trace not only his parents but even his grandparents and relations. And for the sake of this, he was rejected (Mark 6, 1-4).
As the saying goes “familiarity breeds contempt”. Many a time we have lost ample opportunities of Blessings and Favours, simply because we feel we know who is involved (in a derogatory manner). We may have also gone ahead to make similar statements like Nathaniel did when he referred to the Messiah and Nazareth: “can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1, 46).
It is important to realize that the message is more important that the messenger, even though we need not despise the messenger, but the content FIRST.
And because of their unbelieve Jesus could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them (Mark 6,5). Wherever Jesus went, he was always doing good. How much more would he have loved to pour more blessings on his own land but unfortunately, their lack of faith was a great hindrance.
Let us remember that without faith it’s impossible to please God, and anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Heb 11, 6).
May faith never be a problem to us. May unbelief not rob us of our Blessings. May our lack of faith today transform into absolute Trust in God.
Happy Sunday.
Have a blessed week.
Fr. Cosmas Ukadike, C.M.
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