15TH TUESDAY HOMILY OF THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: THE CALL FOR REPENTANCE
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali
Exod 2:1-15a; Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34; Matt 11:20-24
We celebrate today the Memorial of St. Bonaventure, Bishop, and Doctor of the Church. Born in Italy in 1221 and died in Lyons in 1274 during the General Council of Lyons between Greek and Latin Churches. A member of the Franciscan Order. He wrote commentaries on the Scriptures, books in theology, and philosophy. Chosen by Pope Clement IV to be the Archbishop of York, England, but Bonaventure begged off, claiming to be inadequate to the office. A man of eminent learning and eloquence, and of outstanding holiness.
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In our Liturgy today, we continue to experience the awesomeness of God as nothing can ever hinder God’s plan of salvation. We can only deny ourselves this salvation by rejecting its transformative power through our way of life and lack of faith.
Today’s first reading (Ex. 2: 1-15) gives account of the birth of Moses, his adoption by the daughter of Pharoah when he was thrown into the River Nile and his being raised in the royal household. Moses later in life kills an Egyptian who was inflicting pain upon an Israelite. This leads to his fleeing to Midian where God calls Moses to deeper relationship with Him and his special ministry.
In the gospel (Matt. 11: 20-24), Jesus condemns the people of the towns where miracles were done but yet they did not believe in Him. How do I react to God’s benevolence in my life? Jesus upbraided the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida because of their indifference to the Word of God.
Dear friends, God often uses the worst scenarios to show the awesomeness of the divine power and plan. Who could have believed that after the law imposing death on male children of the Israelites, that a leader could still rise and even be educated in the royal courts. This shows that in our lives, God knows what He is doing. Difficult times require great faith, and we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5: 7).
I pray as we journey in life today, we will realize that the deliverance of Moses by Pharoah’s own daughter tells us that with God, all things are possible (Matt. 19: 26). “And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8: 28). May our hope and faith in God never be shaken by the storms of life. Have a faith-full day!
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