Homily For The 11th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A.

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Exodus 19:2-6; Psalm 100:1-3.5; Romans 5:6-11, Matthew 9:36-10:8.

“TRUST AND OBEY!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

·       Reflecting on this Sunday’s readings, I cannot help but cast my mind to the popular hymn number 61 of the Catholic Hymn Book. The whole hymn speaks to me personally and also summarises the whole lesson of this Sunday’s reading.

·       The first stanza of that hymn says it all, “when we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do his good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey”.

·       Dearly beloved in Christ, the Lord invites us today to develop a blind trust in the power of his word and to obey all that he has commanded us to do. God loves us so much that he cannot mislead us.

·       In the first reading (Exodus 19:2-6), we recount the experience of the people of Israel in the wilderness. This story will not be complete without highlighting the different moments of obedience and disobedience leading to their elongated stay in the wilderness.

·       This time, the Lord God invited Moses, the leader of the people of Israel, for a personal encounter with Him on a high mountain. This personal encounter with God will lead to divine instruction for the people. How can we walk in the way of God if we do not devote time to a personal encounter with God? Your encounter with God will always counter the plans of the enemy in your life!

·       God had destroyed the Egyptians to liberate the chosen people; in fact, he bore them on eagle’s wings. All that he required of them was trust and obedience to the covenant – “If you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples…”

·       God is willing to do much more with us and for us. Do we trust him? Do we obey his words? Are we convinced about his promises regarding our lives? If we have lived in doubt and disobedience, God is offering us today a second chance. God is calling us back to Himself and to his peace. Take that call today and just trust and obey!

·       The second reading (Romans 5:6-11) further buttresses how far God is willing to go for our sake. There is no sacrifice too much for God to make for our liberation and salvation.

·       If God could send his only son to die for the ungodly, what can he not do to save you who profess your faith in him? God continues to show his love for us even while we are yet sinners. He is beckoning us to return to holiness, so that the grace to trust and obey will be poured into our hearts in abundance.

·       In the Gospel reading (Matthew 9:36-10:8), yet again, Jesus demonstrates his identity, which is love and compassion. Seeing the crowd helpless and harassed like sheep without a shepherd, he made provision for them and took care of them.

·       Indeed, the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore, the Lord needs you and me to come work for him. He needs us to be his hands and feet in the world. He needs us to go to places and make his word known to the world.

·       The Lord called the 12 disciples and gave them charge to become evangelizers. Notice that they were first called to be with him before they were sent. They were called to be with the Lord, to listen to his word, and to be prepared for the mission.

·       Dear friends in Christ, certainly, the 12 disciples are inadequate for our world today. There is so much work to be done. The Lord needs you and me. Make up your mind to follow Jesus today. While you do that, to be a good disciple of Jesus, always remember to trust and obey!

·       Happy Sunday!!!

 

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