YEAR C: HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR THE 5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (7)

YEAR C: HOMILY/REFLECTION FOR THE 5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

TOPIC: GOD’S GOVERNMENT VS HUMAN WEAKNESS

BY: REV FR LIVINUS IGBODEKWE C.

A SHORT REFLECTION ON THE FIRST READING AND GOSPEL OF FIFTH SUNDAY IN OT (C)

1. KING UZZIAH: Why Was it that positive thing was recorded when Uzziah died. That means that he was a hindrance to the progress of Israel in the same way the leadership is a hindrance to Nigerian progress. He is blocking us from experiencing a glorious Nigeria.
2. THE THRONE: the picture depicts God as the right king whose throne remains for ever. No one can contest with him because he alone is holy and incorrupt. The good influence of God is represented as a train that filled the temple. That means God has influence over all the nations of the earth. Whether rigging or no rigging of elections, God still has influence. Good governance of God as well as any good governance would evoke praise from the subjects.

3. THE SMOKE: covers sin (The Levitican Priesthood used smoke to cover the sins before entering the Holy of Holies during the Atonement). In the same way It symbolized the corruption of Isaiah that he confessed of having a corrupt lips and he received pardon. When you cover your sins you will not prosper but when you confess you do. Peter made same confession because he felt undeserving (Lk 5:8).

4. AN EMPTY BOAT: God loves empty vessels. Why? An empty vessel is wielded by a helpless soul. Such a soul has tried all possible means to fill the vessel but expertise kept failing and doggedness seemed wasteful. Such an empty soul seeks an external helper. Peter was washing his nets in a ‘hopeful despair’. He was disenchanted with continuing. At the same time, he was hopeful about using it for the future. Let not today’s failure stop you from tomorrow’s achievements.

5. GRACE FOUND HIM: Peter doesn’t seem to have come to listen to the Galilean Preacher, he came for business to take care of his family. He was found by grace. His abandoned boat became an asset for ministry. Diligence is known and recognised by grace. Grace is not always cheap. Peter met grace by his diligence. Grace took root when he eventually listened to that Word “launch deep into the sea for a catch!” His empty soul was devoid of arguments but had only one thing to say “Lord I tried my best but now let me try you” (Lk 5:5). He tried and his empty boat became ladened with plenteous fishes that nearly sank the hitherto fleeting empty boat.

Believe in God’s governance over nature and the world and you will always be provided for!

Happy Sunday in advance!