HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 23RD WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME
Homily for Friday of the 23rd week in the ordinary time of the year II
Theme: Self-examination a sine qua non
1cor9:16-19,22-27; Luke 6:39-42
From the Catholic Hymn Book
MUST I GO, AN EMPTY-HANDED
Must I go, and empty-handed,”Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?
Chorus:
Must I go, an empty-handed?
Must I meet my Saviour so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him:
Must I empty-handed go?
In the first reading of today, St. Paul recounts the sacrifices and renunciations he had to make to win people over to Christ. He declared: "For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more of them" (1cor9:19). "To the weak, he continued, I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people that I might, by all means, save some" (1Cor9:22).
Friends in Christ, this sacrificial objective made by St. Paul is synonymous with the sacrificial mission of Jesus. "Though Jesus was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God, a thing to be grasped, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men and being found in human form..." (Phil 2:6-7). In Mark 10:45, Jesus declared, "The Son of Man...came not to be served but to serve, and give his life a ransom for many". “He became like us in all things except Sin" (Heb 2:14-18)
Dearest Friends in Christ, needful sacrifices are expected of us as we commit ourselves to the evangelical mission of the church. Let us not be discouraged at moment of rejections and repudiations, as we remain dedicated to winning souls for the kingdom of God
St. Paul, understanding the city of Corinth for its popularity in the track and field events, went ahead to compare the journey of a Christian to that of an athlete. Hence, he recommends: " Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize. Run in such a way that you may win it" (1Cor9:24). Beloved in Christ, let us like the athletes aiming to win, never loose focus on the ultimate goal of salvation, let us deployed the virtues of self-control, responsible sacrifices and discipline in the race towards the kingdom of God.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus posed the question: "can a blind person lead a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?" (Lk 6:39). Why do you see the speck in your neighbours eye, but do not notice the login your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye, when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye?" (Lk 6:41-42).
Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus warns us of this deadly tendency prevalent in most of us, which is to assume that we are just a little bit better than others. We pride ourselves above others and become more exacting with regards to others than we are with ourselves. We are too quick and in a hurry to correct others, teach and instruct others than we apply to ourselves. We are in a haste to observe the mistakes and faults of others than we observe of ourselves. We perceive others as sinners and pride ourselves as saints.
Friends in Christ, following the acknowledgment of Jesus, it is worthy that we review our lives first before reviewing the life of others. There is the need for us to make a sincere self-examination before we can speak about others. It is wrongly to go about criticizing other when we are guilty of same sin or offence. Otherwise, it would amount to a blind leading a blind. Many are fond of criticizing the church, the priests and religious, congregatgtions, everything and everyone around them where as they are full of faults and defects, worse than what they criticize.
Beloved in Christ, remember the words of Thomas a kempis: "Man know thyself, an unexamined life is not worth living". We pray for the grace of humility to constantly make a conscious examination of ourselves before God and seek his grace to make amends of our lives, that we may be in a better position to lovingly correct our brothers and sisters.
Have a blessed day!
Fr Remi osj
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