Catholic Homily for Wednesday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle I
Theme: Life and the Challenges it present
By: Fr. Francis Onwunali
Homily for Wednesday June 2 2021
On this day when the message of our liturgy talks about life and the challenges it presents, and to mark my birthday, I wish to thank God for using all my life challenges to strenghten me by turning them into stepping stones for the journey. “Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths”. (Ps 25: 4-5)
The first reading (Tobit 3: 1-11, 16-17) presents to us the miserable lives of Tobit and his future daughter-in-law. They both prayed to God to take their lives because of the hardships and insults. However, “their prayer found favour before the glory of God”, God responded by sending Raphael – “God’s healing”. God is ever ready to give a helping hand. Do you pray with expectant faith?
In the gospel (Mark 12: 18-27), once again the Sadducees who do not believe in the afterlife set trap again for Jesus on the question of marriage and afterlife. Jesus reminds them that at resurrection there will be nothing like marriage because men and women will be like Angels. The most important will be our relationship with God.
Dear friends, to be a true Christian is a challenge and it is only with the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we can withstand the tribulations that come our way. The Christian life is always a challenge in the face of modern societal pressures and persecutions. Are we able to stand firm in our resolve or are we willing to compromise our faith? Jesus is looking for modern day martyrs who are ready to make selfless sacrifices for the gospel truth and the good of others.
I pray as we journey in life today, we will resolve to hold unto the truth of our faith no matter the cost. With God all things are possible. May we never be ashamed of witnessing to the truth of the gospel even in the midst of hardship. Let us with the Psalmist, “lift up our eyes to the Lord till He show us His mercy” (Ps. 123: 1-2). Have a witness-full day!
Thank God with and for me as I mark my birthday.
-Fr Francis Onwunali