16TH TUESDAY HOMILY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: THE SINNER TURNED SAINT!
BY: Fr Oselumhense Anetor
Song of Songs 3:1-4, Ps. 63:2-6,8-9, John 20:1-2,11-18
Some beautiful young ladies stood along one particular road as we drove past years ago, in the city of Abuja. They were there to wave at passersby, in hope of getting ‘picked up’ for the night. I have seen similar sights on the streets of Benin, Lagos, Asaba and Ekpoma, and it’s not unlikely for us to conclude that ladies like these will go to hell, because we see them as public sinners. But Mary Magdalene, though also erroneously seen as a prostitute, especially in the western tradition, teaches us something different – that there is salvation for the repentant sinner, from the public sinner to the demon possessed.
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Friends, Mary Magdalene is no ordinary Apostle of Jesus. And she was most certainly not a prostitute. She was an Apostle even to the Apostles. And the Eastern (Orthodox) Church has consistently distinguished her from the unnamed “sinful woman” who anoints Jesus’ feet in Luke 7:36–50, and Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 11); without linking her to any sexual sin. This is exactly why Pope Francis, on June 10, 2016, raised her celebration to the dignity of a “feast”. As we look through the details of her life, we realise that she’s absolutely deserving of this honour. Her first encounter with Jesus Christ changed her life completely and freed her of her demons. It is therefore not surprising that she’s also one of the very first to adore the Lord and make him known after his resurrection. Have we had such an encounter with Jesus?
Prayer
Let us pray for those under the manipulation of the enemy, those who are struggling with temptations of all kinds, and those who already stand condemned by public sentiments, that they may find a present and future with Christ Jesus today, Amen.
Good morning dear. God bless your weekend.
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