HOMILY FOR THE 24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
THEME: OUR READINESS TO TURN BACK TO GOD, DISPOSES HIM TO MEET US ALONG THE WAY.
BY: Fr. Boniface Ogonna
HOMILY FOR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11 2022
1st Reading .Ex 32:7-11.13-14
Resp. Ps. 50:3-4. 13.17
2nd Reading. I Tim 1:12-17
Gospel : Lk 15:1-32
Today, the church offers us another golden opportunity to reflect on God’s mercy and compassion. The coming of Christ is the manifestation of God’s mercy on us. One crucial fact common to the readings of this Sunday is the readiness of God to welcome and receive us irrespective of how much we have fallen and gone away from him.
In the first reading of today, we discover a God who is faithful to his vows. He also demonstrated that his love and mercy surpass his anger and judgment. As a merciful and compassionate father, God heard the prayers of Moses on behalf of his people. Hence, He fulfilled his promise that “If my people, called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin.” (2 Chr 7:14).
A vital lesson we must learn from this reading is the power of intercession for both ourselves and others. Like Moses, the Christ we celebrate today relentlessly continues to intercede for us every day. This is especially at the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. So, we must not be tired of interceding for one another and our world before our merciful and compassionate Lord. So, we must approach Him in prayers always, reminding him of his promises as Moses did.
In the second reading, Paul reminds us that, like himself, we are all products of God’s mercy. In this reading, Paul recounted how his salvation was made possible through the intercession and mercy of Christ. Hence, like Paul, let us take advantage of this same saving mercy of God for our eternal salvation. Let us also be grateful to Him, who shows us mercy through Christ.
In today’s gospel, the Pharisees accused Christ of welcoming sinners. Through his action and parables, He demonstrated how merciful and compassionate he is towards us. Despite our sins and stubbornness, Christ is willing to welcome us back to himself. Each day, He beckons us: “Come let us settle the matter, even though your sins are as red as crimson, you shall be as white as snow” (Is 1:18-19). Through his merciful and compassionate heart, He is ready to make all things new for us again. It does not matter what it will cost Him.
So, like the prodigal son, it is time to accept this invitation. It is time to return to the merciful and compassionate Lord whose mercy surpasses his judgment and wrath. God has made our return very easy through Jesus Christ. So, all we need is to realize ourselves.
Sincerely, and humbly we must make an important decision as the prodigal son did by saying, “I will leave this place and go back to my father.” We must not be ashamed to return to God our father because “His steadfast love never ceases, and His mercy never comes to an end. They are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness” (Lam 3:22-23).
Do have a blessed Sunday celebration.