HOMILY OF WEDNESDAY 11TH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “WHEN YOU GIVE ALMS…FAST…PRAY…?
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
2 Kings 2:1, 6-14; Psalm 30(31):20, 21, 24; Matt 6:1-6, 16-18
Elijah finished his work and was taken up into the heavens, resulting in the tradition of Elijah’s return before the Day of the Lord’s coming. Elisha inherited his prophetic ministry and power. The cloak that separated the Jordan, just like Moses’ staff, reminds me of blessed Sacramentals. God blesses instruments or persons to aid us on our earthly and spiritual journeys.
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In today’s gospel, Jesus instructs us on the proper way to practice some principal virtues that Christianity inherited from Judaism, namely, almsgiving, fasting and prayer. Jesus encourages us to shun the practice of showing off our virtues to earn human praise. Having a single-minded devotion to God as an act of obedience and a commitment of faith and worship as we fulfil of these mandatory virtues (and not personal rewards, glory or aggrandizement) is the chosen path encouraged by Jesus. Through almsgiving, we fulfil the command to love our neighbor, especially the underprivileged. We must not allow economic hardship in these uncertain times erode this virtue from our lives. We may not be able to give as much as we used to, but give we must. The only reason we are here now is because God continues to give. In fasting, we submit to the mercy of God, declaring our nothingness before the God of providence, either for the forgiveness of our sins or for special favors. Fasting is an instrument of prayer and is not to be practiced if it is dangerous to one’s health. Through prayer, we obey Christ’s command to pray in and out of season, listening to God and communicating/communing with Him. We must always remember that prayer is not just a momentary action. It is not just an obligation. It is way of living. We must pray our way through life’s struggles and challenges. Prayer works with all our other efforts to put things right.
Lord, may our prayer, fasting and works of charity be pleasing to you. Amen.
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