CATHOLIC HOMILY FOR 12TH THURSDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

CATHOLIC HOMILY FOR 12TH THURSDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: FROM WORDS TO WORKS—THE TRUE MARK OF DISCIPLESHIP

BY: Fr. Obinna Ezeaputa

2 Kings 24:8-17; Psalm 78(79):1-5, 8-9; Matt 7:21-29

Our gospel reading today (Matthew 7:21-29) warns us that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21). But what does it mean to truly know and follow Christ?

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Scott Hahn notes, “In the ancient world, a ‘prophet’ was not just a foreteller of future events but a ‘forth-teller’ of God’s word, a herald of divine truth” (The Gospel of Matthew: A Commentary). In other words, being a true follower of Christ means sharing God’s word with others, proclaiming His truth and wisdom, and living according to His commands.

At the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, Saint Cyril of Alexandria bravely opposed the false teaching of Nestorius that Jesus wasn’t fully divine. Cyril’s refusal to back down from the truth got him exiled and persecuted, but he continued to write and teach, boldly defending the faith. His courage and conviction ultimately triumphed over heresy, upholding the orthodox Christian belief in the divinity of Jesus.

The Council finally declared Nestorius a heretic, vindicating Cyril’s works and obedience. His unwavering dedication to the truth, even in the face of adversity, demonstrated the ultimate test of discipleship. As Hahn writes, “The ultimate test of our discipleship is not our words but our works, not our rhetoric but our obedience.”

True discipleship requires more than just words, i.e., “Lord, Lord,” or rhetoric; it demands obedience to the truth, even when it’s difficult or costly. Saint Cyril inspires us to follow Christ’s teachings with similar faithfulness and obedience.

Let us ask ourselves: Are we living our faith or just speaking it? May we be inspired by Saint Cyril’s example and strive to be true disciples of Christ, living our faith with courage, conviction, and obedience. Amen.

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