Wisdom for Peace (HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 14TH AUGUST 2023

Wisdom for Peace (HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 14TH AUGUST 2023

Deut.10:12-22; Ps.147; Matthew 17:22-27

Wisdom for Peace

The wisdom demonstrated by Jesus in today’s gospel is a take home lesson for everyone. By right, he and his disciples were not supposed to pay the temple tax; yet the tax collectors demanded it of them. It becomes clear that the tax collectors simply wanted to make trouble. Jesus would have been justified had he insisted on not paying the tax, but as usual, he quickly seize the opportunity to teach his disciples a golden rule of life.

It is not in everything/situation that you insist on your right. Any trouble you can avoid, even when you are sure of victory at the end, do avoid it. It is always better to weigh the cost of being right in any situation. You could win a case but loose a friend or family member or even peace of soul. At such instances proving ones right becomes too costly.

For example, if as a woman, your husband gives you ten thousand naira for feeding every week as against thirteen thousand naira that is needed; you have spoken to him, yet he persists with the ten thousand naira. My dear, if you can make it up, please do and have your peace. You may choose to cause a quarrel that will attract the attention of neighbours and extended family members. At the end, you may win the case but you have successfully exposed the nakedness of your home. Those who judged the case in your favour may make jest of you tomorrow.

This does not mean that we should accommodate injustice or vice. We all need to always pray that popular prayer: Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.