Catholic Homily for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Theme: THE LOVE OF CHRIST IMPELS US
By: Rev. Fr. Anthony O. Ezeaputa, MA.
Homily for Sunday June 20 2021
Today is Father’s Day. I want to wish all fathers, grandfathers, and stepfathers a joyous and blessed Father’s Day. Every year, Father’s Day provides an opportunity to recognize and reflect on the various hats men wear, particularly as husbands, fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and, most importantly, as God’s chosen collaborators. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of good fathers and father figures in our lives, in our country, and around the world.
Not only has God given men the incredible privilege of imitating Him as a Father, but He has also placed an incredible responsibility on their shoulders. Being a husband, father, grandfather, and stepfather requires commitment, responsibility, maturity, sacrifice, and love. And it is only Christ’s love (2 Cor 5:14) that can illuminate and lighten this high calling.
A good father balances work and responsibilities at home to be both a provider and a protector of his family. A good husband, father, grandfather, and stepfather is a positive role model for his children, grandchildren, and stepchildren, making sacrifices day after day for their benefit. He loves, honors, and cherishes his wife and raises his children with love, generosity, and patience. He exemplifies a virtuous life by cherishing friendship and confidants, persevering in the face of adversity, and maintaining a countenance full of faith, trust in God, respect for the laws of the land, and fidelity to the teachings of the Church. In these ways, a good father reflects the love of Jesus Christ for his Church in that His death was an act of love for us.
Our second reading (2 Cor 5:14-17) today reminds us that the purpose of Christ’s death was not simply to offer forgiveness of sins and send people on their way. Rather, its goal was to completely reorient human existence toward God (reconciliation), as expressed in living for Christ rather than for self. Saint Paul expresses it in this way, “He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who, for their sake, died and was raised” (2 Cor 5:15).
The responsibility of fatherhood is so admirable, that we can go on and on singing the praises of good husbands, fathers, grandfathers, and stepfathers. However, the reality we see on the ground is sometimes quite different. Many fathers struggle to shoulder the responsibilities of fatherhood. Today, let us lift them up through our prayers.
Even good husbands, fathers, grandfathers, and stepfathers have their limits too. Some fall short of the ideal through no fault of their own. They may struggle with bad health or may be unable to provide and support their families because they have lost their jobs. There are some who do not change because they are haunted by past mistakes, and there are some who have to bear the pain of losing their wives, children, grandchildren, and stepchildren. Our hearts and prayers go to these men.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we prepare to enter the Liturgy of the Eucharist, I ask you to pray for all husbands, fathers, grandfathers, and stepfathers. May this year’s Father’s Day celebration bring them a lot of joy, blessings, and every good thing they want. May the Holy Spirit rekindle in them the fire of his love, so that they can embrace the responsibilities of fatherhood wholeheartedly. And may those who have died rest in peace. Amen!
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Father’s Day
June 20, 2021.