Sermon/Homily for Tuesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time 5th September 2023

Sermon/Homily for Tuesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time 5th September 2023

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6,9-11. Psalm 27:1,4,13-14. Luke 4:31-37.

St. Paul tells us of the second coming of the Lord in the first reading. In doing this, he repeats what the Lord said: "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Matt.24:36). This calls for adequate preparation on our part so that it won't meet us unprepared.

It also refers to our death. About the time of our death, one thing is certain that it is uncertain. When that day comes, it will be too late to begin to get ready for it. As Christians, we must live in such a way as to be ready to meet the Lord when He comes.

For us to be forewarned is forearmed. When we are prepared for a surprise, it is no longer a surprise. If we know a thing may happen at any time, its occurrence will not give us the shock of an unexpected event.

We must see, foresee, forestall.

In today's Gospel, Jesus healed the man who had the spirit of an unclean demon. The crowd was amazed, saying, "What is this word? For with authority and power, he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out" (Luke 4:37). They say words are cheap, but not with our Lord Jesus Christ. He demonstrated this not only by his teaching but by his ability to cast out demons with his word. His words are powerful. When these words were heard by an unclean demon, he cried with a loud voice, "Ah! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." Even demons trembled at the words of our Lord.

Words are very powerful, but they lose their power when they are not backed by actions; they lose their power when there is no truth in them. Our words must be connected with the Author of Life, who is the way, the truth,and the life (John 14:6), they manifest the power that lies within our tongue. God created by the power of his Word; we can also do great things by the power of our words if those words align with God's grace.

May God grant us the grace to live every moment of our lives conscious of the Lord's second coming through Christ our Lord. Amen.