GOD NEVER ABANDONS HIS FLOCK (Homily for Tuesday of the 16th week in the ordinary time

Homily for Tuesday of the 16th week in the ordinary time.

God never abandons his flock:

Micha 7: 14-15, 18-20; Matthew 12: 46-50

The first reading speaks of the gracious and intercessory prayer of prophet Micah, seeking the intervention of God (the Shepherd) to attend to the plight of the people, for they are in severe distress. It read, “Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone in a forest amid a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old” (Mic 7:14). 

Judah was indeed surrounded by arch enemies, who were already in possession of the fertile land around the territory. Consequently, famine was ruining the land and the Prophet sort the intervention of God upon his people.

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, God is indeed the shepherd of the flock. In the book of Ezekiel, he said, “I will search for my sheep, and will seek them out” (Ezek 34:11). In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “I am the gold Shepherd, and the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” (Jn 10:11). It is an understatement to say that God cares so much for his people, he searches for the flock dwelling alone in the forest, and he compassionately leads them out to greener pastures to regularly revive their drooping spirit. 

Friends in Christ, without God as our shepherd, Christianity will be like a desert devoid of fruitfulness.  Without the sacraments e.g the Holy Eucharist and Penance etc, Christianity will lack the richness of life. Beloved in Christ, let us be attentive to the leadership and companionship of God, for outside of God, we will experience barrenness. God is always ready to harken to our pleas whenever we invoke him and grant us his blessings. 

In the Gospel reading, Jesus teaches that the human and earthly affections are subordinate to spiritual affection, which is not determined by blood relation but rather by becoming a doer of the will of God. “Responding to the man, Jesus said, who is my mother and who are my brothers? pointing to the disciples, he said, here are my mother, and my brothers! Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Mt 12:48-50).  Beloved in Christ, let us not be here hearers of the word of God but doers of the word of God. Today that we have heard his words let us not harden our hearts. May the word of God enrich our hearts and minds through Christ our Lord. Amen

Have a wonderful day!

Fr Remi osj