YEAR II: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (2)
A person who lies shows that he is a coward who is afraid of what the truth might bring
YEAR II: HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: Always Cherish Your Integrity
BY: Fr. Evaristus Abu
HOMILY: ( 30th January 2020. Read 2nd Samuel 7:4-17, Psalm 89 and Mark 4:1-20)
“Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in thy eyes, O Lord GOD” (2 Samuel 7:18-19).
One fact that really struck me in today’s first reading was that David, the King of Israel listened to the words of the prophet Nathan (taking them as the words of God) and obeyed. David wanted to build a befitting Temple for God. He had all the resources to do so. Nathan delivered to him a message from God saying: “You are not the one to build me a house.” David did not protest, he did not go out stubbornly to begin the construction work. He simply went down on his knees and prayed to God.
This is the main distinguishing factor between David and Saul. While Saul dammed the instruction of God that came through the prophet Samuel in the battle against the Amalekites, David obeyed. When God demands obedience, it always feels like God is asking for too much; it takes great courage to obey an instruction that is different from my personal wishes and desires. Obedience to God is indeed the litmus test for devotion to God.
Let us reflect: “If I was in David’s shoe, would I obey Nathan or would I begin to assume that God did not speak to him?” This question could generate other questions such as: How much value do I place on instructions I receive from God’s ministers? Do I respect those who represent God for me? Do I respect the Church’s stand on abortion, invitro-fertilization, euthanasia and so on? Do I sometimes listen or read the homily and hiss within me saying: “This priest is just talking nonsense.”
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says: “Is a lamp put under a bushel or under a bed? For there is nothing hid, except to be made manifest, nothing secret except to come to light.” Take this statement of Jesus as your personal motto and your life would change forever. Keep telling yourself all the time that there is nothing like secret in this world and you suddenly become a wise person.
Most times, we fall into great temptations to sin because of the promise and assurance of secrecy only for us to realize later that our secret affairs have become public knowledge. We then relapse into guilt saying: “If only I had known!” Now you know. There is nothing hidden that would not one day come into the light. Take care of your future by making the right choices today!
When we plan to do evil, we usually begin by asking how best to cover our tracks but God who sees everything always has a way of bringing us out. Say: “I am a light, I cannot be hidden. I am a light, I am meant to shine. I am a light, I cherish integrity.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, create in me a pure heart; let my life reflect your light. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Thursday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 2nd Samuel 7:18-29, Psalm 132 and Mark 4:21-25).
