SERMON/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II 12 JANUARY 2024

SERMON/HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II 12 JANUARY 2024

1Sam.8:4-7,10-22a; Ps.78; Mark 2:1-12

Be Grateful!

In the gospel reading, we see the hostility of the Jews. They knew that God is able to forgive sins yet they found it blasphemous when Jesus said to the paralytic: “Your sins are forgiven”. They wondered how dare Jesus do or say that which only God has the prerogative. The thrust of the problem here was their lack of faith in Jesus as God.

Today, we may not exactly have the challenge of accepting Jesus as God, but then, there still abound various forms of overfamiliarity with the persons and things of God in the attitude of some Christians. One sign of overfamiliarity is lack of appreciation. Although Jesus’ audience in today’s gospel left the vicinity amazed and glorifying God, we can imagine that the experience was not same for the Scribes. They were much more concerned about Jesus claiming authority to forgive sins.

The moment we begin to see nothing special in the things of God and the ministers, we are at the verge of falling off from the rest promised us by God. Appreciation spurs up from a heart that is convinced that it has received something; something undeserving. When ingratitude sets in, it is either we are not recognizing what we have received or we have come to see what is received as a right not a gift.

Beloved, without a conscious attitude of gratitude to God for favours received, it may be impossible for the gift of God to bring us salvation. Today, let us engrave in our hearts the words of the psalmist: Never forget the deeds of the Lord.