The Strength of Mutuality-HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 24TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

The Strength of Mutuality-HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 24TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

1Tim.2:1-8; Ps.28; Luke 7:1-10

The Strength of Mutuality

There is an African proverb that says that when the left hand washes the right hand and the right hand washes the left, both hands will become clean. This is one African way of teaching collaboration for mutual growth. However important this collaboration is for our physical well-being, it is more important for our spiritual well-being. This is the point made in today’s liturgy. In the first reading, St. Paul asked that the people should make it a habit to pray for their leaders. In the gospel reading, a Centurion (a leader) sought Jesus’ attention for his sick slave. Both actions pleased God; and so, the responsorial psalm tells us that the Lord has heard the sound of my appeal.

It is all too easy for people to meet ministers of God for prayers. In fact, each time we see a man of God, we have one intention or the other for which we seek prayers. Consequently, we expect them to lead certain kind of life that will prove them to be men of prayers. If we do not get the desired expectation from God, we think they have not prayed well. We may even change to another man of God. On the other hand, if we hear an unpleasant story about them, we join voices in condemning them. Yet, in all these, we never seize to seek their spiritual and even material assistance.

From the first reading of today, St. Paul tells us that this manner of relationship is unhealthy. Those in authority need our prayers. Each time they intercede for us or act in the person of Christ in the celebration of the sacraments, they win us for God. The devil is never happy about this. For our sake, they are have become fierce enemies of the devil. When they fall, it is not a cause for joy or a headline for gossip but a call for prayer, supplication and intercessions.

In the gospel reading, the centurion sought help for the sick slave. At that time, even though the people were yet to understand and accept that Jesus is God, they were convinced that Jesus was not ordinary. He could do what no one had ever been able to do. Therefore, to encounter Jesus was to go for the best solution to any problem. So, even though it was a slave that was sick, the centurion sought for the “best solution”.  The elders of the Jews who were sent to invite Jesus, testified of the centurion’s love for their nation.

Beloved, the authenticity of our faith is also tested on how we treat those who have been entrusted to us. It is not a virtue to make them fear us; virtue lies in giving them the very best. It is this giving of our best that will attract their unalloyed respect and submission.

May God give us the grace and understanding that we need to support one another if we must grow and live well.