7 MINUTES HOMILY FOR 32ND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

First READING: WIS 6:12-16

Second Reading: 1Thes 4:13-18

Gospel: Mt 25:1-13)

 “‘Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour’ (Mt 25:13)”

     Once upon a time, there was a football team which was expecting to have a friendly match with one of the weakest teams which was around the village that those people were living in. But by knowing that the opponent team was weak they kept relaxed and undermined it. They did not even have a kind of practice. However, for their surprise, the opponent team was stronger than them, that they could not even win the match. Therefore, lack of training and preparation made them to lose the match!   

 

     The story above gives us an insight into what today’s readings are all about. The three readings of today have the common denominator, that is the “Preparation, readiness, and awareness”. As in the Second Reading in particular, St. Paul advices the Thessalonian Christian Community not to be asleep neither unaware. And strengthen their faith that, if Jesus Christ died for them and rose again so they too God will rise them in the life day, (1Thes 4:13). In one way or another, my dear brothers and sisters, St. Paul is speaking to us as well. We too need to change our ways. Our bad behaviors which leads us astray from the way of the Lord.

     Likewise, in today’s Holy Gospel, we hear the same message. For example, the Parable given in the same Gospel brings an eschatological and apocalyptic message, because it enlightens us on the judgment of God with humanity, through the Parable that Jesus tells his disciples. Furthermore, it looks at what is to come when the King of kings returns. Hence, to gain that just judgment of the Lord, we need to collaborate with the grace of God in our daily life. The “Parable of Ten Virgins” who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom (Mt 25:1), brings us to awareness, that everything in life requires or entails a good preparation. Beloved brothers and sisters, all of us we are call to be awake and to get prepared, because we don’t know the time neither the day (Mt 25:13), therefore, for that purpose we need a constant and daily preparation, a daily encounter with Jesus. 

     Our preparation needs wisdom from God and experience of Jesus Christ in our life. We, as Christians, we should learn from the image of these other five virgins presented in the Gospel, who came prepared to meet their bridegroom who brought enough oil. We need to retrospect our life, to in our inmost being, to see where we have wronged the Lord and our brothers and sisters. And any retrospection, however, leads us to a metanoia, that is to a complete change, living in moral virtues and evangelical virtues. We are called to be true disciples of Jesus, but for that, we need to leave behind everything that blocks our ways to encounter the Lord, and this, is called “preparation”. Each one therefore, as responsibility of asking him/herself: “How enough am I prepared? How is my relationship with God? Do I aware others who are far from God, or do I bring people closer to God?” It rest upon us the responsibility of being a true disciple of Christ.

Antonio Nungulu Lohoca

III Year Theology

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Reflection for Monday 6th November 2023: All Saints of Africa

 Readings: Sir 44:1.10-15

Ps 15:2-3a.3bc-4ab 

Luke 6:27-38

Dear friends, each and every person is always just in his own way. Perhaps while administering justice in our own way, we have found ourselves applying a tit for tat rule thereby returning evil for evil. We might have acted rough to conceal our weakness from others. We find ourselves convinced that our success relies on our strength and anything that threatens us in any way leads to insecurity. However, the readings we have heard this morning convey the contrary!

In the First Reading, Ben Sira wants Israel’s heroes kept alive in the memory of their descendants. He wants to eulogize people who are still remembered in his time. The idea of continuity and survival is essential in this perspective. Many have perished as if they had never existed. Others have survived because of their reputation. The people spoken about to be remembered are probably those who exhibited simplicity in their way of life and managed to touch people's lives. This challenges me to examine my life and think of the contributions I make to the people I encounter in my everyday endeavors and those whom I live with. How do I interact with them? Is there anything that I am doing to touch their lives, and could there be anything that I can be remembered for doing?

Moreover, the Gospel portrays the manner in which we can create this memory on others. It notes that it is simply by doing good to those who do bad to us and not to reciprocate evil for evil. The mean tends to reach climax through the golden rule “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).

Similarly, CMF Constitutions seems to have understood this and notes on issues that could cause controversies in relations among brothers. It notes that, “Our speech should always be humble and charitable. Avoiding whatever might wound friendship, we should refrain from sowing discord, from quarrelling among ourselves or grumbling about anything”. And adds that, “Even when we cannot excuse others' actions, we should excuse their intentions, and to be generous toward anyone against whom we may have some cause for grievance” (c. 16).

Today we celebrate the feast of All the Saints of Africa, who down through the ages, have followed the Lord with courage, love and dedication. Many of these saints are unknown to us, while others are remembered in various countries on account of their exemplary life of discipleship. Their example and teaching remind us of our call to holiness, while their intercession makes it possible for us to achieve it, thanks to God’s grace. The feast we celebrate today is a foretaste of the joy we shall experience one day in heaven. The Psalmist gives us a clue of such kind of people by responding to the characteristics entailed by those who may abide in the Lord’s tent.

Thomas Owino Ooko

IV Year Theology

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7 Minutes Homily for 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

 First Reading: Mal 1:14b-2:2b,8-10

Second Reading: 1Thes 2:7b-9,13

Gospel:  Mathew 23:1-12

 

Do and Observe Everything they do, but do Not Follow their Examples.

 One day, my superior advised me saying, “If you want to win peoples trust and lead them without struggle you need to be an example in everything you do. By doing so, you will realize that whatever indications you will be giving or the words you will utter to them will be acceptable. Failing in this will lead to failures and this will indicate that you have as well failed in leading others.” He ended up saying that people do not like empty words but rather rely on actions. Thus, a leader teaches through example. I was obliged to apply this method and as at the moment I can admit that it worked out. Today’s readings agree with this thought.

 Dear friends in Christ, the first reading and the Gospel are so closely related. Both warn about the behavior of leaders. Prophet Malachi bases on the priest of the time from Levi tradition. According to their position, they were expected to have certain qualities which could enhance them to fit and benefit from the activities which were entrusted to them. Priests of the Old Testament were highly respected and whatever they uttered was highly regarded by the faithful. The much trust accorded to them is the reason behind the message from the prophet Malachi who today advises them saying that they will receive many blessings from God if they listen to Him and follow what He tells them. The Prophet is clear that if they go astray, they will be cursed. A similar message is conveyed in the Gospel to the scribes and pharisees who like sitting in front seats of the temple and being honored in market places.

 These readings serve to teach us qualities of a good leader; that a good leader is one who is present before others by his good example. Consequently, failure to do so makes such a leader a bad leader. This is as well manifested in the characters mentioned in the Gospel. The scribes and pharisees do not give good example to others, prompting Jesus to tell his followers not to follow their example. Our Father Founder Saint Anthony Mary Claret seemed to understand the importance of good leadership. He mentions in his Autobiography that what the leaders need most is to practice virtues. For him, one of the virtues which is very important above all is humility (Autobiography No. 341).

 Problems arise when leaders fail in their duties. The problems in leadership may arise through words comprising elements of foul language that leaders may tend to utter. Actions here goes with how leaders appear to the people physically and become the source of inspiration to the others. Laziness also becomes a problem, since failure to do what is expected from you as a leader through example, hinders the trust of people who are subordinate to you. For instance, failure to attend Mass on Sundays and days of obligation, and failing to admonish the evil doers and challenge their evil actions are indications of failing in leadership roles.

 Therefore, we need to put into consideration all these things once entrusted with leadership roles lest the words of Mathew 18:6 “if anyone put the stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if great millstone were fastened around your neck, and you were drowned in the depth of the sea” catch up with us. We are then invited to follow the good example which Saint Paul showed us when leading people. He did not become a burden to any person. He rather made sure that the gospel message was passed to all people so that their ministry remained blameless.

Gastor B Kimario

IV Year Theology

 

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