SERMON/HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II 22ND JANUARY 2024

HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, CYCLE II

2Sam.5:1-7, 19; Ps.89; Mark 3:22-30

Good and Evil have no meeting point

In today’s gospel, Jesus is accused of using the power of Beelzebul to do the mighty works that have been associated with him. Notice that this accusation came from the Scribes not the general people. The people heard about Jesus and approached him with faith. When they did so, they received favour from God. The Scribes on the other hand approached Jesus with a doubtful and speculative attitude, this is because the great works and teachings of Jesus constituted a threat to them. They feared that if Jesus continues like this, the people will no longer revere them but turn to Jesus.

So, the next thing to do was to put an end to Jesus and his ministry. They have countlessly set traps for him using the law. In most of such instances, Jesus does follow through with them in their gymnastics; he would confront them and thereafter, they will have no justification for their case against him. Today, they attempted something new – to accuse Jesus of using the power of Satan. This would mean what Jesus was giving to the people, in his works and preaching, were only satanic manipulations that aims at entangling them.

In response, Jesus uses his works to defend his source. He cannot be from the devil when he is delivering people from the hands of the devil. Beloved, this teaches us to be consistent with the good. Oftentimes people stop doing good or compromise the good they do when they are challenged. See, good speaks for itself. He who dwells in truth fears no contradiction.

Again, we must guide against the attitude of the Scribes of ever feeling insecure by the works of God. God ministers to his people through various instruments. You are one of them but you are not the only one. Therefore, when you encounter what God is doing through another, be receptive to the manifold works of God. No one can stop or frustrate the work of God. To fight against God’s instruments is useless because the God who works with and through them can both save them and use as many instruments as possible.