YEAR B: HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR THE 26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (10)

YEAR B: HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR THE 26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

THEME: SELF CONTROL

BY: Fr Cajetan Anyanwu

 

HOMILY:

“.. And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off, it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell…” (Mt 9:43)

Obviously, most people in the world today are callous, greedy and selfish. Some lack self-control when it comes to eating and drinking and yielding to bodily passion. Our selfishness often leads us into blocking others from having what we have or rising to our ranks.

Moses in the book of Numbers 11: 25-29, gives us an example of unselfishness. He controlled his passion for power such that, he welcomed others who were not with him as prophets – Eldad and Medad. He was told to stop them but he controlled the urge. He even prayed that he wished all people could be prophets like himself.

Hence, St. James warns the rich about their rotting wealth. In their selfishness and lack of self-control about acquiring more wealth, they constitute obstacle to the poor (Jas 5:1- 6).

Jesus in the gospel (Mk 9 : 38- 43ff), tells us about self-control. “… And if your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off, it is better for you to enter into life crippled, than to have two hands and go to hell…”
This is a figurative way to tell all of us to have self-control.

Do not allow your passion to control you. Be yourself! Have self-control and restrain from yielding to worldly urges.

Happy Sunday. Fr Cajetan Anyanwu

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