5TH FRIDAY HOMILY IN THE ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “EPHPHATA… BE OPENED.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
Genesis 3:1-8; Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7; Mark 7:31-37
Human ears have been deafened and their hearts hardened by disobedience and willfulness since beginning of creation. Today’s first reading reminds us that despite God’s gracious work in the creation of humans, our first parents still strayed from God’s paths because of undue ambition.
ALSO RECOMMENDED: 5TH FRIDAY HOMILY IN THE ORDINARY TIME
Free will is an important gift of God to everyone. Its use is the responsibility of humans who must exercise it prudently, judiciously and sensitively. Their disobedience opened their eyes to shame and disgrace. Finding themselves unworthy of God’s presence because of their defilement, they tried hiding from God, an impossible escape. The desire to assert our will over against God’s will remains an alluring proposition to date. We must, however, resist that temptation to willfulness and the promises it offers. Let us make frantic efforts to do God’s will in all things. Deafness, in ancient times, was seen as the result of sinful disposition, particularly, the hardness of heart. Jesus’ healing of the deaf and mute man signaled the freedom of humans from such hardheartedness. While we pray for healing for all who suffer from ear, mouth and eye diseases, we humbly ask God to heal our hardheartedness.
Lord, open our hearts, minds and senses to your will. Amen
A very blessed Valentine’s Day to you all; a great opportunity to love as God loves and to bring joy and happiness to those around us.
FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>