YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: OPEN AND WILLING TO LEARN

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(Mt. 9:1-8) Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

In the day’s Gospel Jesus cures a paralytic. It was made controversial because Jesus publicly showed His authority by proclaiming the sins of the paralytic as forgiven. The scribes who heard Him did not let it pass. He was accused of blasphemy. Jesus, as He always does, took the opportunity to teach them and reveal Himself to them. Thus, He asked them why they harbor evil thoughts. They should be happy that a sick person is healed. The claim of Jesus would be blasphemous if He was not the Messiah. For that, the scribes have reasons. Their faith was challenged.

It is interesting to note that for the Jews, healing the sickness and forgiveness from sins are synonymous. Sicknesses may be signs of sinfulness. Sinfulness may manifest itself physically. This, JESUS told them which is easier to say, “Rise up and walk!” Or “Your sins are forgiven!” They may be different statements but they address the same situations.

We take notice of the blindness of the scribes. Right before their eyes, a miracle healing took place. They could have verified it’s authenticity before making the accusation. But their minds were already set and their eyes were already closed.

Nothing JESUS would do which would shift them to openness and finally recognize JESUS. In the process, they missed JESUS.

Openness is an important attitude towards God and neighbors. God continues to reveal Himself to us everyday. We can never have enough of God. God is too much for us, His creature. The more we humble ourselves by being open and willing to learn, the more we will know God more.

When we do, we will not miss what the scribes missed.