HOMILY OF FRIDAY 10TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “IT IS YOUR FACE, O LORD, THAT I SEEK; HIDE NOT YOUR FACE”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
1 Kings 19:9, 11-16; Psalm 26(27):7-9, 13-14; Matt 5:27-32
Politicians, leaders and VIPs announce their presence or pass by with a show of power, sometimes extremely and unnecessarily. Elijah’s encounter with God on Mt. Horeb was different. Despite the many earth-shaking options, God chose a simple and gentle way. His awesomeness shone through that simplicity, and Elijah covered his face for that sublime encounter. While humans perfected plans to frustrate God’s servants, God put in place a more perfect plan to ensure continuity, with assurances to the prophet. Jesus, the Face of God, came to us in such simplicity as well. People often misunderstood him because of the absence of the kind of show and bling-bling that characterize worldly power. In the simplicity of the Incarnation, he took on human nature and worked out our salvation. Let us learn from God and from Jesus. Such simplicity and unassumingness would reduce dysfunctionality in marriages and family life.
ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY OF FRIDAY 10TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
Meanwhile, Jesus’ concern today should highlight not just the sexual depravity in our society but the madness of lust and rape, even killings following such abuses. Such crimes cannot be hidden from God as the cries of the victims rise up to God for vengeance. Jesus also reminds us that the path of righteousness demands that we vigilantly watch out for and avoid occasions of sin. That is how we cut off whatever leads us to sin. Cutting off or plucking out is not to be taken literally. Like Elijah in the first reading, the rough and uncertain times in our lives are invitations for us to seek God; time to find out where God is and what He is demanding of us amidst the storm or turbulence. Remember that the noisiest and most charged places do not necessarily represent the power of God’s presence. Watch for the simplicity of divine manifestation; that is where the opportunity for encounter is to be found.
Lord, may your merciful gaze shine upon us. Amen.
FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE>>>>>