Blessings and Responsibility-Homily for Tuesday of the 12th week in ordinary time JUNE 2023

HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE TWELFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Genesis 13:2.5-18; Ps.15; Matthew 7:6.12-14

Blessings and Responsibility

From the first reading of today, we learn that it is one thing to be blessed by God and another thing to have the wisdom to handle God’s blessings. Every blessing, answered prayer or miracle comes with some level of responsibilities. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed with joy that we either ignore or do not recognize the responsibility inherent in the source of our joy. Without this responsibility, that which is a blessing, may no longer seem like it in the long run.

Abram and Lot where individually blessed by God in cattle, silver, gold, tents and so on. It was clear that the hand of the Lord was on them. But this blessing became a source of strife for the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. Maybe they were quarrelling over grazing space or competing for costumers, or any other thing. Abram was wise enough to notice and admit that this strife can gravitate into a quarrel between him and Lot. Here, we find a man who was true to his human nature. Abram could have chosen to call a meeting of all their herdsmen and address the situation. But that would not have stopped another strife. A time will come when Abram may suspect that Lot was using his own herdsmen to torment his (Abram’s) livestock, or vice versa. So, to avoid of all these, it was necessary that they go their separate ways.

It is clear that this separation was not as a result of any misunderstanding but to forestall any that may emerge. This is worth noting! Some situations of life are best handled with necessary separation. While we are called to be at peace with all men, it does not imply that we must co-exist with everyone. There are many reasons why some persons cannot live together, ranging from temperament, upbringing, perception of life, strengths, shortcomings and so on. Individually they may not be bad but collectively they are no compatible. In such situations, unity does not imply living or working together. If you force it, you are creating a conflict situation.

The Abram who suggested that he and Lot go their separate ways, asked Lot to first choose a direction of movement. This was to show that he had no ulterior motive for suggesting the separation but for good. For him, even if Lot chooses the better direction (as he did choose), he will be fine with whatever is left for him. Truly, after the choosing, the Lord promised to establish Abram the more and bless his descendants.

Beloved, the grace of God makes the difference. Sometimes the best may not come to us. Sometimes, the best may be stolen from us and given to another. We may be left with a share that does not have much prospect. It could be in terms of properties, position, promotion, educational career, and so on. Ps.16:5 says: the lot marked out for me is my delight. Our lot (share) can only delight us if, like Abram, the hand of the Lord is upon us. So, stop the grumbling, bitterness and discontentment because you did not get what you deserve. Present what you have to the Lord. He who created the world out of nothing can cause you to be great from your nothingness. Remember, those who leave everything in God’s hands will always see God’s hands in everything.