REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE 30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A 29TH OCTOBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE 30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A 29TH OCTOBER 2023

Ex.22:21-27; Ps.18; 1Thess.1:5c-10; Matthew 22:34-40

 _Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice_ (Ps.104:3)

Take advantage of no one!

The opening sentence of today’s first reading showed that the Lord himself was the speaker. From the content of the reading, we can easily decipher that the Lord was addressing the rich. The reading was a warning to the rich not to take advantage of the poor. The Lord warned that whoever oppresses the poor, in any way, will attract the wrath of God; particularly when the helpless poor cry to God for vengeance. If the Lord is speaking to the poor, then, given the present harsh economic situation of our country, the hunger and suffering in the land, we can easily excuse ourselves that the Lord is not speaking to us today. We can easily claim that we are the poor, on whose side God is. We may even want to further conclude that the Lord is clearly and directly speaking to those in power, a large number of whom are directly responsible for our present predicament. Thoughts such as these towards today’s first reading, makes us miss the entire message.

First of all, in as much as the Lord was condemning the oppression of the poor, he was not particularly addressing the affluent. The poor, in this context, are those who are vulnerable in one way or another. Indeed, every man/woman is vulnerable in one way or the other, and at one time or the other. On the other hand, the rich are not those who have much of material goods but those who stand at some advantage over others; this advantage could be in time, talent or treasure. Indeed, all of us are rich in one way or the other and at one time or the other. In as much as all men are gifted and no one has it all in life, man can be rich and poor in different contexts; we can at one time be the oppressed poor and at another time be the rich oppressor. Today’s first reading, therefore, addresses us particularly.

It seems as if the hardship in the land is making a jungle out of many of us. All in a bid to make ends meet, to sustain quality lifestyle, many are beginning to diverse different means of survival. What is most disturbing is that most of these emerging means of survival hinge on taking advantage of the economic situation as opportunity to defraud others and enrich oneself. For example, the daily fall of the naira has translated to the daily increase in the price of goods and services. But when the naira experiences some rise, there is corresponding fall in the price of goods and services. Naira is fluctuating, but prices of goods and services are on steady increase. Again, the rate at which some goods and services increase is glaring not commensurate to the rate of the fall of the naira. Worse still, those whose ventures are not directly affected by the economic situation, still use it as an excuse to enrich themselves. For example, a landlord increasing the house/shop rent because there is an increase in the price of cement.

In the midst of all these, some persons have become experts in the sale of fake products. When these products are food, medicine, building materials, vehicle parts, and the likes, the end result is the endangering of the lives of others. Most of us are complaining about a situation that we both created on the one hand, and are utilizing to marginalize others, on the other hand. It becomes clear that we are the architect of our problems. Little wonder is it often said: _na man do man._ 

The psalm, second and gospel readings are centered on love. In the gospel reading, Jesus summarized the whole commandments as love of God and love of neighbour. Every problem caused by man stems from lack of love; and the solution to every problem we are experiencing is love. It therefore means, if love is absent, everything goes wrong; and the extent to which things will be alright, is the extent to which we love. Our present and collective challenge as a people, should not bring out the beast in each one of us but stir us to emit compassion for one another. Lack of love will make us greedy. A greedy man is insatiable. So, in an atmosphere of greed, men will feed on themselves and still remain hungry. But when love is present, an atmosphere of concern and service is created. Love brings about contentment; the spirit of true satisfaction.

In the gospel reading, the Pharisees who were jealous of Jesus on account of the grounds he was breaking in his ministry, tried testing him that they may find fault with him. For them, they alone should be capable of great things and the admiration of men. Again and again, their tests became for Jesus, an opportunity to teach something new. Their inability to get trap Jesus symbolizes the impossibility of the rich to defraud/oppress the poor and go scout free.

Beloved, try, struggle, make effort, not to get involved in this cart race. Many are doing the unthinkable, using survival as an excuse. I can imagine that many too are conceiving new heinous ways to make ends meet. While I encourage us to be hard working and innovative in order to survive, living and acting without love is never an option. Remember, you can have a house without a home, a bed without sleep, money without peace, fame without happiness, food without satisfaction. Whatever God did not give you, cannot bring you true joy. In a bid to earn more money, do not lose what money cannot buy. If we all can be our brother/sister’s keeper, there is very little that bad leadership can do to us.