HOMILY FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME-Only a Virtuous life is Durable!

HOMILY FOR THE 4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Zep.2:3; 3:12-13; 1Cor.1:26-31; Matt.5:1-12a

Theme: Only a Virtuous life is Durable!

By nature, man has these desires for greatness and to be accepted/loved by others. These desires, consciously or unconsciously influence his actions and behaviour. If not properly guided, man can seek illegitimate means to meet this engrave desires. It on this note that the liturgy of today, gives us the secret for true greatness and true acceptability and love. We live in a world where vices, of different kinds, have been employed by the majority as the weapon for satisfying the desires for greatness and love.

Today, people no longer hide the fact that they became great through unwholesome means. Yet they are celebrated, loved and respected by many. They are proudly chosen by some others as mentors; those who aspire to become great like them. This unfortunate experience seems to remove the feeling of guilt that ought to be associated with anything illegitimate. The result is a total mix up of values: vices are celebrated as virtues, while virtues are abhorred as vices. Consequently, the Prophet Zephaniah, St. Paul and Jesus Christ sought to redefine values in the first, second and gospel readings of today respectively.

In Matthew chapter 4, Jesus chose his disciples. Just after the selection, he taught them the beatitudes in the Matthew chapter 5 (the gospel reading of today). The goal was to prepare their minds for the kind of “unpopular lives” they will be living henceforth. A life that runs contrary to what is celebrated in the society. A life that is thought to be weakness and suffering. It was so necessary that Jesus prepares the minds of the disciples so that they do not become lukewarm or discouraged when societal pressure and ridicule starts to set in. You know, sometimes we do the wrong thing just to please or meet societal expectations. The man who has learnt to do the necessary irrespective of what the society thinks or says, is really a man in the real sense of the word.

Jesus taught the disciples that following Him will make them poor in spirit. This means they will not be consumed by the desire to acquire earthly things just for the sake of acquisition. They will not be attached or greedy. They will find unattractive and unnecessary what others are dying to acquire. Yet they will have the best of things: heaven (which begins here on earth).

Following Jesus will bring them a number of sorrows. Being virtuous will make them look weak; and so, people will trample on them and take them for granted. They will also experience torment in their daily struggle to overcome sin. Yet, they shall be comforted; and like Job, the glory of the latter will be greater than the former.

Following Jesus will make them meek, such that people will override them, deprive them of what is theirs and humiliate them. But they will inherit the earth; which means, at last, they will have everything.

Following Jesus means that they will always strive after righteousness, even when majority are clamouring in sin. They shall receive true and lasting satisfaction. At temptation, sin promises satisfaction; but after a fall, it leaves the sinner hungrier than before.

In like manner, those who struggle to keep away from sin, right from their hearts, will be rewarded with the beatific vision. Nothing can be more rewarding than seeing God.

Following Jesus will mean that Peace is the core value of all of ones actions and inactions. No matter what one may lose or suffer just to have peace, will be considered worthwhile. Invariably, one will always tred the path of Justice; since there can be no true peace without Justice. Since Jesus is the Prince of Peace, we shall be like Him in being sons of God.

Lastly, following Jesus will make us suffer for doing what is right. Our good will be repaid with evil. People will hate you, complain about you, ridicule you, work against you, assassinate your character, and so on, just because you are good; good to them. They will be angry that you are not like them and you do not want to be like them. The innate desire to be loved may tempt you to give in to their expectation so that their scorn towards you may cease. Jesus says you should rather be happy that you have chosen heaven over hell; the best over the worse. Bear in mind that the acceptance of men stand nowhere with the acceptance of God. Only acceptance by God is true and real.

In the first reading, Zephaniah tells us that seeking righteousness and humility will save us from the wrath/judgment of God. While others will perish, the righteous and humble shall inherit a glorified world of perfection. The aim here is to point our focus forward. Do not be enticed by the present glamour of the ungodly; it has no enduring capacity. In all you do, choose the right way, no matter how anonymous it makes you. St. Paul tells us in the second reading that God will always choose what is foolish and weak (in the eyes of men) to shame the wise and strong.

Beloved, the unpopularity of virtuous living has made it detestable by many; but it remains the way to true happiness and peace. Ordinarily, when you go to the market, you will not want to purchase what is not durable. In this market of our earthly existence, only a virtuous life is durable.

Happy celebration to you all