ATTITUDE TOWARDS RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE (HOMILY OF THE 13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEARC JUNE 2022

ATTITUDE TOWARDS RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE (HOMILY OF THE 13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEARC

Good morning dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, today is the 13th Sunday in the ordinary time year c. The Gospel reading began by telling us of the true determination of Jesus to enter Jerusalem against all odds. We are told that “when the days drew near for him to be taken up, Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51). Jesus had prior knowledge of what awaited him at Jerusalem; his passion, death and resurrection (Mk 10:34). Yet this did not dissuade him from having his heart set upon Jerusalem, toward the accomplishment of his mission. Beloved in Christ, we must not also be deterred nor discouraged by the challenges, obstacles and difficulties we encounter in our primal disposition to do good. Let us remember that a crown cannot be won without undergoing deprivation: 'no cross, no crown'.

The Gospel accentuates the religious tension that exists between the Samaritans and the Jews; how deep their religious intolerance had affected their national stability and cohesion. On many occasions, the Samaritans will not allow the Jews to make use of their towns and villages as avenues to get to Jerusalem because of this unhealthy relationship. We know that while the Samaritans worshipped in Mount Gerizim, the Jews worshipped at the temple in Jerusalem. But this had been saddled with religious bias and bigotry. In this context, Jesus demanded taking a respite in one of the samaritan villages but he was refused because he was heading to Jerusalem. This of course infuriated the disciples: James and John who opted to command fire to come down and consume them but Jesus rebuked them (Lk 9:54-56). One would imagine what the samaritans would have benefited from had they welcomed Jesus into their village: cure of the sick, casting out demons, the expulsion of the evil one etc. But of course, religious intolerance hampered that glorious opportunity. Jesus again sowed the seed of patience in his disciples towards those who reject the good news of the kingdom of God and are religiously intolerant of them.  Friends in Christ, this beautiful virtue of patience paid off when we are told in the Acts of the Apostles that “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the good news to them, and there was great joy in the city after he cured their sick ones”. So much so that when the Apostles heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them (Acts 8:5-14). Beloved in Christ, let's assimilate this gorgeous virtue of patience as a means of curbing religious intolerance.

The Gospel highlights 3 circumstances of the call to vocation.  The first circumstance gives the picture of one who is seemingly hasty in decision-making; probably born out of the peripheral without having recourse to a deep-seated conviction. The first person tells Jesus: “I will follow you wherever you go”. Jesus reminded him that foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head (Lk 9:58). Friends in Christ, in other, to have a comprehensive understanding of the cost of discipleship there is the need for profound contemplation. In our followership of Jesus, there is the need to come to the knowledge that it isn't a bed of roses but the grace of God is sufficient for us.

The second person's interaction with Jesus brings out the salient mandate of prioritizing the kingdom of God above everything else. It is dangerous to delay following the call of God. The followership of God is a full-time job and must be treated as such. Jesus called on to him: come follow me and he responded: Lord, let me first go and bury my father, but Jesus said let the dead bury their dead; but as for you go and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Lk9:59-60). People of God, any work can wait but not the promotion and proclamation of the kingdom of God and its values. Whatever situation we find ourselves in, the things of God must take precedence. It is non-negotiable.

The circumstance of the third person submits to us the demand of determination and concentration on matters of the kingdom of God.  We must not lose focus. We are told that the third person said to Jesus, I will follow you but let's first say farewell to my family and Jesus responded 'No one who puts his hand upon the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God' (Lk 9:61-62). Children of God, this reminds us of the wife of Lot in the book of Genesis who despite the instruction, looked back and became a pillar of salt (Gen 9).  In our respective vocations, let us be reminded that utmost attention is needed as we address the affair of God. The affairs of God are not something to play with nor toil with, but things to be given their due seriousness. 

We pray in this solemn eucharistic celebration of the grace to continually recommit ourselves to accomplishing the purposes of the kingdom of God in our respective vocations. May we not be found remonstrating with an excuse on the matters of the kingdom of God but to make them our immediate priorities at all times.

Have a Grace-filled day!

Fr Remi osj