YEAR B: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (2)

YEAR B: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(Lk. 11:37-41) Tuesday of the Twenty Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time.

In today’s Gospel Jesus accused the pharisees and the scholars of hypocrisy. They taught the Law but lacked sustaining it by showing how it is lived. They go around town looking pious but deep inside they were just going through the motions of the law.

Laws have a spirit. Following them includes imbibing their intentions. Jesus was not concerned with the external piety but with the internal holiness. What will find favor with God is a contrite and sincere heart and not our words and show off actions. Jesus wanted them to be aware that God cannot be deceived. He knows what we think, feel, and will.

The Church and her members are experiencing the same accusation today. We, Catholics, are a bunch of hypocrites. It is a painful accusation but it is true. The Church is holy because Jesus instituted it and God dwells in it. But it is also sinful and full of hypocrites because its members are human. It is both strong and weak. But we strive to address the hypocrisy and the sinfulness. By God’s grace hypocrisy and sinfulness will be lessened if not eradicated. It is a continuing effort of the Church and its members. Holiness is not a one time and one moment event. It is a lifestyle obtained beginning with humility and relying on God’s mercy and love.

The pharisees did not admit their mistakes. They rejected Jesus’s invitation to see and change. Holiness eluded them. We will not allow that. We still have the words Jesus. Let those words enter our hearts and minds. Let us imbibe the spirit of the laws. Let us strive to be holy and blameless in his sight!