HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 23RD WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME

Homily for Monday of the 23rd week in the ordinary time, year II 

1 Corinthians 5:1-8; Luke 6:6-11.

In the first reading of today, St. Paul chastised the people of Corinth on the need to disassociate themselves from the old yeast of immorality and begin to live a new life in Christ. 

He reprimanded in the strongest terms, the immoral behaviour that was reported to him. He said, : "I have been told as an u doubted fact that one of you is living with his father's wife. This is a case of sexual immorality among you that must be unparalleled even among the pagans. How can you be so proud of yourselves? You should be in mourning. A man who does a thing like that ought to have been expelled from the community" (1Cor 5: 1-4).

St. Paul was embittered because of the audacity with which such an immoral action was being committed. It was as if the person in question was pompous despite his sinful act. One who should be mourning because of his dirty behaviour went about in the Christian community boldly and unreprimanded. Evil deeds that were being committed in the secrets out of shame are gradually coming into the open with temerity.  

Hence, St. Paul, insisted that one of such should have been ostracized from the community. This was also to avoid contaminating the remaining members of the Christian community with such evil behaviour. An African adage puts it that when one finger touch the oil, it eventually reaches the remaining fingers. Therefore, it is easier and better to deal with evil when it is still in it developmental stage than remain passive. An Igbo proverb says that when evil and corruption are allowed to fester for while (one year), it becomes tradition. Jesus in similar terms recommends: "if your right hand would cause you to sin, cut it off. It is better you lose one part of your body than your whole body be cast into hell" (Mt 5:30). The need to deal with evil and sin, early and decisively. 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, have we become tolerant with evil and corruption in our christian community, treating them with kid gloves or are we firm in repudiating and eradicating them early enough? In our community of today, Can we say that we sincerely feel sorry, remorseful and mournful for our mistakes and sins or we do we pride ourselves around as if they do not matter? Have we become complacent with wrongs doings? As parents, guardians, religious leaders, teachers etc How instructive and corrective are we to ther placed under our care? Have we become indifferent and non-chalant? We must make honest efforts to cast of the yeast of sin and live righteous life like God's adopted children.

In the Gospel reading of today, Jesus continues to justify the essentiality of the Sabbath. We are told that Jesus went into the synagogue to teach, lo and behold a man whose right hand was withered. The Scribes and Pharisees,  we are told with evil intentions were watching to see if he would cure him on the sabbath.  Knowing their thoughts Jesus asked: "is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or do harm, to save life or to destroy it" (Luke 6:9). They could not respond because their hearts were not open but committed to evil. Therefore, Jesus went ahead to bring healing to the man with withered hand. 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus says: "I have come that they may have life and have it in abudance" (Jn 10:10). Jesus died on the cross for the restoration of the life of humanity in God. Thus, the essence of our worship of God is to regularly commune and be renewed in this divine life. This recieved life from God is meant to be shared and given to one another. The is vividly exemplified in the even in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Jesus continues to offer  divine life to us.

The scribes and Pharisees did not practice the essence and fruitfulness of the Sabbath, they rather chose to be passive and judgemental. Beloved in Christ, like Jesus, we must be pro-lifers, men and women of charity and love. We must avoid the culture of death and promote the culture of life. 

May God bless his words in our hearts, both now and forevermore. Amen

Have a happy day

Fr Remi osj