11TH TUESDAY HOMILY IN ORDINARY TIME: YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
2 Cor 8:1-9; Psalm 146:2, 4-9; Matt 5:43-48
The section that began with the invitation to the righteousness of excess (your righteousness must surpass…) now ends with an invitation to be imitators of God (“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect”). Both injunctions interpret and reaffirm the demands that came between, inviting us to a morality that is like none in conventional society or everyday life: “love your enemies…” etc. That Jesus expects us to live by standards that are regulated by the Spirit and the rules of the Kingdom is underscored by the demand that our ethic must be UNUSUAL. The usual and the expected rank lower. So, instead of recommending human models for the righteousness that exceeds that of Scribes and Pharisees (Matt 5:20), our model is our heavenly Father.
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Tall order, but we are challenged to love as God loves, to forgive as God forgives, to be compassionate as God is compassionate, to be generous and openhearted after the openheartedness of God’s generosity, etc. Urging the Corinthians to be more generous in their support for the work of God, after the example of the poorer Macedonians, Paul challenges us to match our faith with a commensurate loving support for the Church. While thanking all who have always supported God’s work, we are urged not to relent in our generous offerings and sacrifices; the greatest being the gift of our very lives.
Lord, teach me true love and kindness. Amen.
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