REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR I 3RD NOVEMBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR I 3RD NOVEMBER 2023

Rom.9:1-5; Ps.147; Luke 14:1-6

Get striped for Heaven’s sake

On many occasions, the Scribes and the Pharisees have sought for loopholes in the teachings and actions of Jesus so that they could have a case against him. Their goal was to find him wanting in the face of the Law so that they could easily get the support of the people and the affirmation of the roman authorities for his condemnation. So, in the gospel reading of today, they watched him intently to see what he will do with the man who had dropsy. They had planned within their hearts that should he heal the man, it will be interpreted as work which is forbidden on the Sabbath.

Unfortunately, they could not publicly testify that the Law forbade healing on the Sabbath. So it means that they wanted to maliciously bend the law by interpreting healing as work in order to suit their evil caprices. Such evil intent has continued till this day. A philosopher ones noted that might is right. Some of those who are mighty in the society tend to manipulate the agents of the society to their favour even when they are found wanting by the law.

The situation is worse when might is used as an instrument to pervade justice for the weak. The rich seem to get away with anything he does to the poor. In such a situation, we may ask: what is the hope of the poor man. The answer is Jesus. In the gospel reading, the Pharisees would have been able to prevent the man from encountering Jesus or they would have attempted to accuse the man of breaking the Sabbath law by virtue of his healing. But they were not able to prevent Jesus from healing the man. In fact, they could not legally justify their evil intent before Jesus.

Let this be our consolation especially at those times when we experience injustice, when we are denied what is legitimately ours, just because we are not powerful or connected to power. Let us learn to always present our pain of injustice to the all-powerful God in prayer who remains the defender of the defenseless.

Also, from Jesus, we learn never to be intimidated by the thoughts of negative people. Never stop being good because bad people are complaining. Remember that you have been called and made the light of the world. It is in the very nature of light to compete with and discard darkness. You cannot be sorry for this.