HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 29TH WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II 22nd September 2022

Homily for Sarurday of the 29th week in ordinary time year II 22nd September 2022

In the first reading of today, St. Paul tells us: "Each of us was given grace, according to the measure of Christ's gift" (Eph 4:7). By implication, grace had been outpoured into all Christians immaterial of your status: big or small, humblest Christian or greatest Apostle, either prophets, evangelist, pastors, teachers, etc. No one can claim not to have been imbued by the grace of Christ Jesus. Hence, the need to be useful and functional as a Christian. Obviously, there are diversities of graces given in varied capacities but all for the same purpose and grand unity which Jesus prayed for. 

St. Paul recommends that we must then grow in the grace of God, and live out this grace given to us by Christ as matured and responsible Christians, ambassadors of Christ. He declares: we must "come to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ". 

Friends in Christ, we must not remain always as babies but must slowly grow in maturity through personal union with Christ, through prayer, sacraments and good works. To be matured, we must have deep faith, firm hope and ardent charity. To be matured, we must build up the body of Christ, for every Christian has a part to play in the service of God and his neighbour.

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, how matured and responsible are you as a Christian? Let us not be like those whose souls have no anchorage, those who aren't "rooted and grounded" (Eph3:17) in faith.

In the Gospel reading of today, Jesus forewarned a greater catastrophe than the two tragic incidents in the memories of the people. When  some people came to tell him of Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices in the temple of Jerusalem (LK 13:1). He said: "Do you suppose the Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not. I tell you, unless you repent, you will all perish as they did" (LK 13:2-3). He continued, "Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not, I tell you, unless you repent, you will all perish as they did" (Lk 13:4-5).

Death is something which brings us pain and for which we always mourn. However, Jesus warns us of a greater consequence which is unrepentant heart, eternal death, spiritual death, eternal punishment and condemnation. Which will befall those who feign indifference to the redemptive work of God. Thus, the repetition made by Jesus, unless you repent you will all perish as they did.

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, God is patient. Using the parable of the barren fig tree, Jesus teaches us the consequences of an unrepentant heart, a fruitless Christian life in the midst of God's patience. 

"For three years, the man said, I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and still find none. Cut it down! Why should the soil be waiting?". The word "cut it down" is expressive of the consequence of unfruitfulness in Christian life. Like the fig tree, the Christian is expected to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit and impact charitably on his neighbours. However, not allowing the grace of God to function in him or her productively amounts to the waste of the soil by a barren tree.

However, the gardener replied: "Sir let it alone, for one more year until dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down" (Lk 13: 7-9).  Child of God, the Lord always gives us time for repentance.  In his clemency, Jesus invites sinners to conversion rather then threating them with vengeance. Through extraordinary means Jesus continues to avail us with the needful graces (via the sacraments) that we may bear fruits and fruits that will last.

Let us embrace the grace of God and turn in a new and good live. Let us grow in maturity and bear the fruits of Love  expected of us as Christians. Let us remember the words of Jesus: "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and become my disciples (In 15:8).

Have a wonderful day!

Fr Remi Osj