Do not give up! (HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY SEVENTH WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR II 6TH OCTOBER 2022

Homily for Thursday in the 27th week in the ordinary time year II

Galatians 3:1-5; Luke 11:5-13

Do not give up!

Inculturation of faith in every area of Christian and human life is a tedious task which can only be carried out with the help of the spirit of the Lord who leads the church to the truth.

In the first reading of today, St. Paul and Barnabas faced the problem of inculturation. While they preached the risen Christ as the sole source of salvation, the Judaizers continue to counter that by introducing their cultural practices of circumcision, observation of the Sabbath etc as additional conditions through which Christian converts are to be saved. This for Paul undermines the event of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

St Paul writes: "You foolish Galatians! Who bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly crucified" ( Gal 3:1). St Paul was not happy with the Galatians for allowing themselves to be fooled into believing that outside of Jesus there are other options of salvation as provided by the Judaizers. Remember the saying of Jesus: " I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me" (In 14:6). 

Beloved friends in Christ, inculturation of faith is the continuation of the work of incarnation which embraces the event of the crucifixion of Christ Jesus. In the spirit of incarnation, inculturation takes place. The Gospel of Christ permeates the fabric of the society and its values and transform them for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

Although, many cultures run counter to the Gospel values and oppose the teaching of Christ Jesus. Just like the Jewish culture opposed the ideology of the Messiah as the suffering servant of Yahweh and sort for a political liberator. Just like the Gentile culture disregarded and considered laughable the preaching of the crucified Christ (the culture of the cross). Christianity in this regard must remember it is not only culture and civilization but it is essentially 'revelation and mystery'. It is above all the person of Christ Jesus incarnating into various cultures and societies and transforming them for the glory of God and salvation of humanity.

In the Gospel we here the parable of the importunate friend. A narrative on how a man who received unexpectedly a guest in the late hours of the night, sort the aid of his friend in other to attend to his guest. Unfortunately, while he knocked on the door, he got the response: " Do not bother me" (Lk 11:7). The door had been locked and my children and I are in bed already, I cannot get up and give you anything" (Lk 11:7). The narrative holds it that undaunted by the response of the friend, persistence in knocking would make the friend get up and give the importunate petitioner whatever he desires lest he and his children would have not rest for the night.

In this manner, friends in Christ, we must learn to come to God in prayer with great confidence and perseverance requesting all the necessary things for the sustenance of our soul and body. Let's not give up in any whatsoever. God is our divine friend who is readily available to harken to our good heart intentions. Let us remember that if our prayers are not answered swiftly or at once and there seems to be delay. God knows that if we received everything we desire of him, it will not be for our good. It is rightly said that things long desired are more sweet in their attainment and we appreciate them better.

Beloved in Christ, we need the Holy Spirit more than any other gift in our lives (Lk 11:13). The Holy spirit remains the supreme gift of God to humanity. Let us always welcome the Holy Spirit in our hearts and home to enkindle the fire of the love of God. God bless us all.

Have a blessed day!

Fr Remi osj