HOMILY FOR THE 13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.

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2 Kings 4:8-11. 14-16; Psalm 89:2-3.16-19; Romans 6:3-4. 8-11, Matthew 10:37-42.

“THE LORD WILL SUPPLY!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·      The church celebrates today the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time year A. Our readings today challenges us to authentic Christian witnessing. Yes! In the business of Christianity, the higher you go the hotter it becomes. Despite this, we ought not to be discouraged rather we must continue to work hard to remain committed.

·      The difficulty of the Christian faith is that saying ‘yes’ to God means saying ‘No’ to everything that is not in congruence with the gospel values. To do this, we need the grace of God to help us through the storms that will befall us after taking that decision.

·      Dearly beloved in Christ, following Jesus means denying ourselves of what those in the world call “enjoyment”. One thing is sure, whatever we think we might have lost while following Jesus, the Lord will surely supply.

·      The Lord does not promise his children what he cannot fulfil. In the first reading (2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16), God did not abandon the Prophet Elisha in his time of great need and want, rather he raised up men and women to provide for him and to make the abundant supply for his needs.

·      Friends in Christ, we must remain committed to our Christian values and discipline. The world may not like it, and the people of the world may condemn us for it. One thing is sure, that we shall surely not be drowned by their pressure. When the people of this world threaten us with hunger, the Lord will supply our needs. When they threaten our jobs or shelter, we must remember that the God who did for Elisha, will do it for us.

·      Christianity is a religion with great value and enormous benefits both in this world and in the life after. Hence, we must not expect an easy ride, we must not expect the approval of all. We must not expect the support of friends, family, and colleagues. This is not to make enemies of them but to remain focused on God.

·      This is exactly the warning of Jesus to his disciples in the gospel reading (Matthew 10:37-42), we must decide at all times to stand for God and be focused or to stand for the world as represented by some of our friends and family and be distracted.

·      We ought to ask ourselves where exactly we stand on our Christian journey. He warns “Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37). What are my preferences in my Christian commitment, what are my stumbling blocks towards a total commitment to the things of God?

·      Beloved in Christ, standing for God is not an easy decision and that is why the gospel reading calls it “denial” and “taking up crosses” to follow Jesus. The Cross is that burden and challenges that our decision to follow Christ will bring upon us. No matter what we may lose, we must be consoled that at last the Lord will supply what we may have lost or we think we will lose.

·      We too as Christians, must see ourselves as channels of divine supply and that is why the gospel reading tells us that “anyone who welcomes you welcomes me; and those who welcome me welcome the one who sent me” (Matt. 10:40). And the first reading tells us that the Shunammite family welcomed Elisha and became channels of divine supply and in welcoming him received the promise of divine visitation.

·      Friends in Christ, today we are also challenged to be channels of divine graces and divine supplies to those around us ranging from our drivers, house helps, security men, and the less privileged around us, in doing this, we welcome God too and surely, we will experience the promise of divine visitation.

·      The second reading (Romans 6:3-4, 8-11), makes us understand the unique gift of faith God has given us by our baptism. Because through our baptism we died with Christ and received the gift of faith. One thing is sure, through his death, we too die to sin and now we live a life of grace which guarantees us life in eternity.

·      Hence if we desire the promise of divine visitation after being channels of divine supply, we must continue to die always to sin, vehemently refusing to bow to the pressure of sin. Sin destroys every covenant with God, if you want God’s promises to be fulfilled in your life renounce sin daily and live a life of grace.

·      When the Lord visits you as promised in the first reading, and when you have made effort to completely renounce sin to follow Jesus, when you have met all the requirements of divine visitation and blessing, then like the psalmist we can say “I will sing forever of your love, O Lord” (Ps. 89:2).

·      May God give us the grace to stand for him always, to be ready to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses and follow him daily through Christ our Lord, Amen!

·      Happy Sunday!!!

 

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