The right attitude to have towards “passing things” (HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 25TH WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR II SEPT 2022

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 25th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II

Eccle.11:19-12:8; Luke 9:43b-45

For three consecutive days now, the first reading has dwelt on the vanity of the world. Today, we are advised on the right attitude to have towards “passing things”. The fact that everything will pass away calls for sober reflection but that should not translate into a negative or estrangement approach to the things of this world. In clear terms, the first reading exalts us to enjoin our youth. “Youth” here does not just denote a certain age bracket, but also includes our present moment in this world. In another language, we are called to enjoy this world while it lasts or while we last in it.

A child whose parents have provided all that the child will ever need, is said to be born with a silver spoon. When God created the world, he charged man with the responsibility of tilling it. That is, the world was created for our use; for our enjoyment – the world is our “silver spoon”. Remove vexation from your mind and keep away from pain. That is, to enjoy this world, we must learn to forgive, and not indulge in anything that will be detrimental to our health and dignity. You see, the call to enjoy the world is not a license to be licentious. There is nothing wrong in using the things of this world. However, for our use not to amount to abuse, we must use properly.

Consequently, the first reading calls us to be mindful of the fact that our actions and inactions shall form the basis of God’s judgment on us. Love God and do whatever you like. So long as your love for God is sincere, you will not want to engage in anything that will offend this love neither will you want to persist in your sin or delay repentance when you fall out of human frailty.

In the gospel reading, we hear Jesus speak about his death to his disciples. He spoke of it not in a sorrowful manner but at though he was teaching. He is not weighted down because he knew that the impending agony will pass away. He was not overwhelmed by the thought of Good Friday, for He knew that there was Easter Sunday.

Beloved, despair arises when you define your life by the sorrows of the moment. Faith is the ability to hold firm in the midst of difficulties knowing fully well that God has not abandoned you. Enjoy this world by making the best use of every moment; by so doing, you will be exercising the authority that God gave to Adam at the beginning of creation to till and cultivate the earth. Desist from whatever kills time such as unnecessary complaint and idle gossip. 

God Bless You!