Catholic homily for Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle I
Theme: Cut of from Him we can do nothing
By: Fr. Francis Onwunali
Homily for Monday July 26 2021
As we begin this first working day of the week, the Lord speaks to us from the readings warning that “cut of from Him we can do nothing” (John 15: 5). Our being distant from God is not God’s choice, but ours. God wants to remain very close to us as His Chosen People who He has saved.
In the first reading (Ex. 32: 15-24, 30-34), we encounter a contrary approach in the life of the Israelites, who instead of acknowledging God’s closeness to them as their liberator, turned around to worship the image of a “golden calf” as their god and liberator. This act defiled their relationship with God who has just chosen them as His own people. Do you take God’s goodness and mercy for granted?
In the gospel (Matt 13: 31-35), Jesus uses the images of mustard seed and yeast to teach about the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God, like mustard seed and yeast, produces transformation in the lives of those who are receptive of the new life Jesus is offering.
Dear friends, when we yield our lives to Jesus Christ and allow God’s word to take deep root in our lives, we experience transformation and are made holy by God’s presence in our lives. The mustard seed and the yeast are God’s grace that will help us blossom if we cooperate with the power of the Holy Spirit.
I pray as we journey in life today, that which was said of the Israelites will not be said of us: “You forgot the God who begot you, unmindful now of God who fathered you. The Lord had seen this, and in his anger cast off his sons and daughters” (Deut 32: 18). May God find delight in us because we have remained close to Him as He loves to remain close to us. With a receptive heart, may we share in the glory of Jesus Christ, our Saviour (2 Thess 2: 14). Have a transformation-full day!
-Fr. Francis Onwunali