REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A 5TH NOVEMBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR THE 31ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A 5TH NOVEMBER 2023

Malachi 1:14b-2:2b.8-10; Ps.131; 1Thess.2:7-9.13; Matthew 23:1-12

 _Practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do_ (Matt.23:3)

Overcoming the scandal of bad examples!

In the gospel reading of today, Jesus addressed the crowds and his disciples concerning the scandal of bad examples. This address became so necessary not only because the religious leaders of that time constituted bad examples to the people but also because we will never cease to hear and behold the scandal of bad examples till the end of the world. Bad examples become scandalous when they emanate from the most unsuspecting sources. Most times, these sources are those who ought to be epitome of the ideal; they are those from whom we expect the most; they are those to whom much have been given and from whom so much is expected. When such persons fail to give out what is expected of them, it is shocking; if they are not found giving out the direct opposite, it becomes scandalous.

In our world today, leaders are broadly grouped into secular and religious. We have seen and heard of both good and bad secular and religious leaders. But the truth is that it is often times easier to accommodate the failings of secular leaders than those of religious leaders. Maybe that is why Jesus specifically addressed the scandal of bad examples that emanates from religious leaders. Often times, the effect of such scandals is decrease or the loss of faith. Many persons have stopped striving towards perfection when they heard or saw the imperfection of their religious leaders. Some persons feel so justified in their lackadaisical attitude towards spiritual matters because they once experienced a religious leader who was anything but religious. Some have stopped believing that there are true men of God; they rather call them god of men.

The funny thing is that the 99 good examples do not make the much impact that the one bad example makes in people’s lives. It therefore means that in as much as what is bad is bad, we all have the capacity to determine what experience will influence us and to what extent. Your experience may not be your doing, but how it affects you is entirely up to you. If we want to stop striving towards perfection because of one scandal or the other, then we may end up becoming bunches of imperfections because scandals may never cease.

For this reason, Jesus tells us in today’s gospel never to be scandalous about the misdeeds of bad leaders. He says that we should listen to them to the extent that they teach what is correct. Of course, the right thing is always easier said than done. Everyone seem to know the ought but not everyone is abiding by the ought. One point Jesus wants us to note is that positions of leadership is more of a gift than a reward. God calls men to lead not because he is rewarding their perfection but because he wants to minister to his people through the instrumentality of men. So, God can and does minister to his people even through a wayward instrument. It does not mean that God approves of the waywardness of the instrument. The instrument will answer for his waywardness while those who did not give heed to the right thing taught by the instrument, will account for their hardness of heart.

When we very well understand that it is God who is at work in whatever instrument he chooses, we come to develop the right attitude towards God’s ministers. As ministers of God, they deserve our respect, love and support. But as mere ministers, they should not be worshipped as though they were God. The call of God never takes away the humanness of the minister. We all have the responsibility of aiding our pastors to live lives worthy of their calling. While the minister is called to continuously struggle towards perfection, he must note that he remains a medium even for those things he does very well.

It is for this reason that Jesus concluded today’s gospel by inviting us into a life of humility. It is easier to humble when you have little than when you have much. So, let us always watch our attitude when we are beginning to achieve one or two things in life. Watch your behaviour when you are becoming the life wire of your community, class, business place or anywhere you find yourself. What your attitude when things are falling in place for you. Jesus has said that he/she who truly wants to be exalted should first humble him/herself. Only God is the perfect lifter of men.

So, in the second reading, St. Paul, talking to the Thessalonians, chose to take pride in the quality of service he and the other disciples had given to the people. They shared with the people not only the gospel message but also their very lives. The truth is, if we are sharing our lives with others, we will not fall into the temptation of being proud. The gospel acclamation reminds us that we have one Father in heaven and that Christ is the master of us all. This means that we are all brothers in sisters in the real sense of the word. A true brother/sister does not take pride in what he/she possesses over the siblings but on how much he/she has helped the siblings. This is how we should be relating with one another. There is no gain in competing with one another but there is everything to gain when we collaborate with one another. Do not be a bad example; and when you see/hear of one, do not stop being good. _Every malam with hin own kettle_ .