REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI) 4TH OCTOBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI) 4TH OCTOBER 2023

Neh.2:1-8; Ps.137; Luke 9:57-62

Follow God unreservedly

Followership has become a familiar concept in this advanced age of digitalization. People follow various celebrities on different social media handles. To follow someone, in this context, means to be a fan of the person. Followership, therefore avails one the opportunity to be abreast with the doings of the celebrity. But the fact remains that whenever we make the decision to follow anyone, there is always an inherent expectation. We can choose to unfollow a person when this expectation is no longer meant.

In our spiritual life, Jesus wants us to follow him, but with the right expectation so that we do not end up unfollowing him when our unguarded expectations are not meant. So, in the gospel reading of today, Jesus tried to clarify the expectation of those who follow him. The first person willingly opted to follow Jesus but with the expectation of comfort. Even without voicing this expectation, Jesus perceived it and quickly corrected it. God does not abandon those who follow him but the ultimate reward of following Jesus is not earthly comfort but admission into heaven. Jesus will give us earthly comfort to the extent that it will not distract us from making heaven. A wealth that will disqualify us from making heaven is surely not God's will for us.

The second wanted to follow Jesus but not until he has settled family concerns. This excuse amounts to a negative response to Jesus' invitation because there is no end to family concerns. Following Jesus will always demand the sacrifice of our attention. We cannot fix our followership of Jesus on the completion of our personal concerns. In fact, the grace of God always makes the difference; for by strength shall no man prevail. So, no matter how busy you may be, give priority to God. It is God that gives meaning to everything we do and everything we are.

The third wanted to follow Jesus but with some reservations. Such reservations will mean that we are not giving ourselves fully into discipleship. It will further mean that there are some lengths we will not be ready to go, by way of sacrifice, because of God. Beloved, the psalmist invites is to follow Jesus unreservedly. St. Francis of Assisi was one of such. In the spirit of discipleship, he became poor in his service to the poor. He was outstanding for his selfless dedication to God. Beloved, God loves us unconditionally; let us follow him unreservedly.

OR

Homily for Wednesday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time

Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi

Nehemiah 2:1-8. Psalm 137:1-2,3,4-5,6. Luke 9:57-62

How dedicated are we to the mission God has entrusted to us? In our readings today and in the life of St. Francis, we honour today. We see a positive attitude to God's mission.

In the first reading, Nehemiah was downcast over the situation of Judah/Jerusalem. He obtained permission from the king to go and rebuild God's Sepulchre that lay in ruins.

In today's Gospel, we hear the excuses of three different people who want to follow the Lord. Jesus made them realise that there is no room for excuses if anyone wants to follow him. Hence, Jesus says, "No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).

Jesus challenges us to make ourselves available for God's work without excuses. The word of Jesus that "the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few" (Matt.9:37) is still very relevant to us today.

Like Nehemiah and St. Francis, we are called to be builders, not destroyers. We are challenged to put in all we can to ensure growth, peace, harmony, and unity flourish in our churches, world, workplace, schools, homes, and our relationship.

We celebrate the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi. He was born at Assisi in 1182. As a young man, he renounced his father's wealth and pursued a life of voluntary poverty while remaining a layperson.

He had a mystical vision of our Lord Jesus Christ in the forsaken Chapel of San Damiano, just outside Assisi, in which the icon of Christ crucified said to him, "Francis, go and repair my house which, as you can see, is falling into ruins." On hearing this, he abandoned everything to rebuild God's house from its ruins.

He lived the Gospel to the full and attracted many followers. He preached through the example of his life, and his message brought renewal in the Church. Towards the end of his life, he received the stigmata and died on 3 October 1226 while singing the eighth verse of Psalm 142: "Lead me forth from prison that I may give thanks to your name." He was canonised two years later by Pope Gregory IX.

May God, through the intercession of St. Francis, grant us the grace to see what his call holds for us and embrace it with total dedication through Christ our Lord. Amen