HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME

Homily for Saturday of the 2nd week in ordinary time

Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14; 

The first reading speaks to us of the tabernacle or rent set up in the Temple of Jerusalem. It says: "For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table and the bread of the presence; it is called the Holy place. Behind the second  curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies" (Heb 9:2-3). 

In the Old Covenant, in the Temple of Jerusalem, a curtain hung between the Holy place and the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, only but once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people using the blood of bulls and goats. 

However in the New Covenant, Jesus is the high priest who enters the Holy of Holies which is heaven, and rather than the blood of goats and calves (Heb 9:12), he poured "his own blood" (Heb 9:12). This is evedent at the death of Jesus on the cross of Calvary, "the Curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom" (Mt 27:51). 

The implication being that the entrance to the Holy of Holies had been thrown open to all, that we may serve the living God (Heb 9:14). Jesus had restored the relationship between God and Man. 

The Gospel reading tells us that Jesus and his disciples were overwhelmed by the crowd that they had no time to attend even to their ordinary needs (Mk 3:20). Thus, Jesus was criticized by his relatives as being out of his mind (Mk 3:21).

Friends in Christ, Jesus gave priority to the interests of the people of God than to his own ordinary needs. He sacrificed even his meal time to attend to the needs of the people that they may be healed and gain salvation. In the same vein, in our apostloates we must give a sublime priority to the service of humanity in the interest of Jesus. Even when criticized, we should know that many atimes people will misinterprete us and base on biased knowledge will give false notifications about our apostolate. Do not be downcast or depraved, Jesus was also criticized by his own relatives too.

We pray that the grace of God will accompany us as we carry out the apostloates designated to us by the church. 

Remain bless in the Lord

Fr Remi Osj