KEEP AWAKE, BE VIGILANT (HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 21ST WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME AUGUST 2022

1 Corinthians 1:1-9;  Matthew 24:42-51

THEME: KEEP AWAKE, BE VIGILANT 

In today's liturgy of the word, from St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, we hear the expression of joy, satisfaction and thanksgiving from Paul and Sosthenes for the wonderful growth in Christian maturity that the church in Corinth is experiencing. He says: “ I never stop thanking God for all the graces you have received through Jesus Christ. I thank him that you have been enriched in so many ways especially in your teachers and preachers; the witness to Christ has indeed been strong among you so that you will not be without any of the gifts of the Holy Spirit while you are waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed”. (1Cor 1:). 

Paul did not begrudge the rich blessings of God upon the church in Corinth, a manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which were visible in the numerical strength of the teachers and preachers and witnesses the chruch in Corinth was producing, rather Paul was thankful and appreciative to God, imploring God's peace and grace upon the church in Corinth, so that they may be steadfast and without blame until the last day. 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, Is it not worthy that we express gratitude to God for his good gifts upon the life of our brothers and sister? Is it not commendable that we rejoice and celebrate with our brothers and sisters, God's graciousness upon their lives, families and communities? The success, prosperity and fruitfulness of those around us should not spur hatred, jealousy and grudge in us. It is rather a manifestation of God's presence and Providence which calls for thanksgiving. We must take home this examplary attitude of St. Paul and domesticate it in our day to day endeavours. 

In the Gospel reading of today from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus instructs us on the need for us to keep awake and be vigilant at all times because of the uncertainty of the time of his second coming. Jesus uses the imagery of the thief at night to describe the unexpected arrival at his second coming. This teaching made agreat impression upon the Apostles so much so that pockets of it are found repeated in the scripture: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2Pet 3:10), if you do not wake up, I will come like a their and you will not know at what hour I will come to you (Rev 3:3), see I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and is clothed, not going about naked and exposed to shame (Rev 16:15). 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, as those in the corridor of leadership and authority e.g Parish priests, parents, teachers, Superiors, guardians etc we are called to be vigilant and watchful over the household of God entrusted to our care. The master believes in you and that is why even in his absence he had saddled you with the responsibility to keep over the residents of the home until his return. The question now is: how responsible are we towards our duties? Is our attitude like that of the servant who beat up the inmates of the house, went about eating and drinking with drunkards, abandoning his duties and responsibilities, or are we like the servant that kept staedfastness to the obligations of the house owner and prevented the burglar from invading the home with evils such as the destruction of the faith of the occupants, propagating erroneous teachings and fostering sinful acts? Friends in Christ, something is certain: the Master of the house will surely return but then at an hour we do not expect. Hence, we must be ready by keeping watch and vigilance.

Let's pray in this Eucharistic celebration that the graces of God will see us through in remaining responsible to the duties and obligations place under our care. May the Lord bless his words in our hearts both now and forevermore. Amen  

Have a blessed day!

Fr Remi osj