SERMON/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II BLESSED MICHAEL TANSI 20TH JANUARY 2024

HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 2ND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II (BLESSED MICHAEL TANSI)

Phil.2:1-11; Isa.12; Matthew 13:44-46

The Need to be Selfless

In the gospel reading, we are presented with similar actions of a man and a merchant. Both discovered great asset that they priced to be more valuable than all of their assets. For this reason, they sold all that they had to acquire the most valuable asset. Jesus told these parables as he was teaching the crowds about the kingdom of heaven. The valuable assets represent heaven. And so, the goal of the parables is to teach us that heaven is the most valuable asset we can acquire. It is worth any sacrifice we can make for us to belong there.

Jesus wants us to understand that belonging to heaven necessarily demands some sacrifices on our path. But then, without the spirit of selflessness, one cannot dare to make sacrifices. A person who is so selfish and thinks only of the self, may unconsciously find it difficult to consider eternity.

In the first reading, St. Paul exalts us to look beyond personal interest and consider too the interest of others. This is because the level of our spirituality is not only measured by our prayerfulness but also by our relationship with others.

Today we celebrate the feast of Blessed Michael Cyprian Iwene Tansi. What we celebrate in him is his selflessness and sacrifices for humanity. He lived a monastic life with great faith and humility. He committed most of his time and energy to praying for others. By this, he perfectly lived as a disciple of Christ. The gospel acclamation tells us that Christ lived reconciling the world to himself. We too are reminded that our ultimate vocation is to do all within our power to positively impact the lives of others.