REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR 1 22 NOVEMBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR 1 22 NOVEMBER 2023

2Maccabees 7:1, 20-31; Ps.17; Luke 19:11-28

Do not Reject Jesus

In today’s gospel, two different parables were related simultaneously: the parable of the rejection of the king and that of the unproductive servant. Jesus told these parables to instruct those who misunderstood his mission and will thus be disappointed with his soon departure. Rather than be disappointed, the parable of the unproductive servant teaches us what the Lord expects of us in his physical absence.

The meeting point of both parables is that condemnation awaits those who reject the rule of God. This parable is apt as we prepare to celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King in few days to come. When we reject the rule of God, we automatically disqualify ourselves from living under the grace of God.

The first parable gives us one form of rejection: to hate God’s commandment and consider them too demanding. With such attitude, we loose the sense of sin and live as though we are the measure of all things. When man loses sense of his need of God, he is doomed already.

The second parable gives us another form of rejection that is clothed under the guise of acceptance. Most probably, it was amongst those who didn’t reject him that the king gave his pounds. The unproductive servant did not reject him like those in the first parable, but he surely did not accept him either.

This is where many Christians find themselves. They have no problem going to Church, but they have reasons why they cannot bear fruits with the Word of God they encounter daily. See, God expects us to be productive. Productivity is a natural consequence of love. Just as procreation is proper amongst two married people, so also fruitfulness in the faith is possible only for those who love God. If we do not love, we will not bear fruit.

In the first reading, the story of the woman and her seven sons is a story of love. Because they love God, they chose to remain under his rule than that of mere mortals. Through their death, they preached the gospel more than they would have done in physical life. Beloved, don’t just assure yourself that you love God, sincerely consider whether you are rejecting his rule or not. Our rejection of God’s rule will not diminish his kingly power or dynasty; rather it is the life in us that will diminish. When we are in Christ Jesus, even physical death becomes a gain.