HOMILY OF MONDAY 13TH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “FOLLOW ME AND LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR DEAD.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
Amos 2:6-10, 13-16; Psalm 49(50):16-23; Matthew 8:18-22
Today we start reading from Amos, the great and fearless prophet of social justice. Amos teaches us what it means to speak to power when things are going wrong. Amos challenged nations, kings, the system and individuals. He spoke against corruption, oppression, immorality, usury, extortion and smart practices that were used to cheat others. He spoke against infidelity to the covenant and to the law, as well as idolatry. He spoke on behalf of the persecuted, poor, voiceless, oppressed and the virtuous and ordinary people. He announced God’s definitive judgement against those who perpetrated evil and those who trusted in human securities. Despite threats to his life, he stayed on the message that God gave him to deliver.
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We need more prophetic voices like that in our day. We cannot remain silent about, or pretend not to see, the evil perpetrated around us. Today’s gospel reading is focus on the need for detachment and singlemindedness in following Christ. Jesus did not advocate disrespect for family values or ties. But, for the disciple, God’s call must be responded to with total fidelity and nothing or no one should be in the way of that response or relationship. We have been called to follow Christ. We must leave the ways of the world behind and live by the rule of life given to us in Christ Jesus. If we have turned material things and worldly accomplishments into sources of security and have deified them, we must heed Amos’ words so that we do not come to judgment and condemnation by our God.
Lord, give us the courage of Amos and the singlemindedness of true and loyal discipleship. Amen.
St. Oliver Plunket; Pray for Us.
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