REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR 12TH TUESDAY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: THE NARROW GATE AND WAY OF LIFE
BY: Fr. Isaac Awe
2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36; Psalm 47(48):2-4, 10-11; Matthew 7:6, 12-14
The Book of Psalms begins with an image of a person who has chosen to follow the way of those who are wise and obedient to God’s word and who refuse to follow the way of those who think and act contrary to God’s law : Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night (Psalm 1:1-2).
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Jesus used a second illustration of a narrow gate which opens the way that leads to a life of security and happiness (Matthew 7:13-14) to reinforce his lesson about choosing the one true way which leads to peace with God rather than separation and destruction. When a path diverges, such as a fork in the road, each way leads to a different destination. This is especially true when we encounter life’s crossroads where we must make a choice that will affect how we will live our lives. Do the choices we make help us move towards the goal of loving God and obeying his will?
The Lord Jesus gives us freedom to choose which way we will go. Let us ask him for the wisdom to know which way will lead to life rather than to harm and destructionChoose this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15). Behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death (Jeremiah 21:8). If we allow God’s love and wisdom to rule our hearts, then we can trust in his guidance and help to follow his path of love, truth, and holiness.
Reflection: . See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil… Therefore, choose life that you and your descendants may live. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)
PRAYER: Let me love you, my Lord and my God, and see myself as I really am – a pilgrim in this world, a Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch, those in authority over me or those under my authority, my friends and my enemies. Help me to conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, apathy by fervor. Help me to forget myself and reach out towards others. Amen (Clement XI of Rome)
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