HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 23RD WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR II

Homily for Wednesday of the Twenty-Third (23rd) Week in the Ordinary Time, year II. 

1 Corinthians 7:25-31; Luke 6:20-26.

In today's liturgy of the word, Luke presents to us the beatitudes, a version different from that of St. Matthew's. 

At a time when persecution of the early Christian communities were at its peak and many felt discouraged and hopeless.  St. Luke reassures the people of God of the blessedness of God upon their lives, following the teachings of Jesus on the beatitudes. The word beatitudes literally means happinness or blessedness. The teachings on the beatitudes reawakened them to the truth that true happiness can only be found in God; that God had not abandoned them; for they would surely be blessed and rewarded for their courage and perseverance in faith at moments of distress, suffering, poverty, hunger, sorrow etc.

Hence, contrary to the prospects and teachings of the world and its philosophy, that wealth, positions, prestige, honour etc are what determines those considered blessed. The beatitudes reaffirm that the pathway of the cross is the pathway of the Blessed, the pathway of suffering, sorrow, persecution, sacrifice, hunger, etc are pathways of the Christian vocation. The teachings of Jesus brings consolation and rewards to Christians who because of their faith in Jesus, underwent and are undergoing difficulties in life. 

Dearest friends in Christ, let us constantly pray for the grace of final perseverance in our christian vocation, so that like St. Paul we may confidently say we have run the good race and kept the faith as we wait God's crown of unfading glory. 

St. Paul, in the first Reading, observing the church in Corinth declared: "I think that in view of the impending distress it is well for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek marriage" (1 Cor.7:26-27). Simply put, celibate should not think of marrying. Married people should not think of leading a celibate life.

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, It is better to live a good married life than to lead a celibate life and fail in it. A celibate who fails in his celibate life falls lower than one who lives well a married life. Hence, every state of vocation leads to the kingdom of God. What is required is commiment and service following one's respective state of life. 

We pray that God will grant us the grace of fidelity in our chosen vocations.

Have a grace-filled day

Fr Remi osj