HOMILY FOR 17TH THURSDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “IGNORANT OF THE SCRIPTURE IS IGNORANT OF CHRIST”
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali
Exod 40:16-21, 34-38; Psalm 83(84):3-6, 8,11; Matt 13:47-53
“Virtue and holiness of life can do a great deal, almost everything, with men, as well as with God”- St. Ignatius of Loyola. We celebrate today, the Memorial of this great saint, Ignatius of Loyola, who experienced tremendous transformation because of his encounter with the Divine. Ignatius was born of a noble Spanish family and, as a soldier, was wounded in the leg by a cannonball at the seige of Pampeluna on 20 May 1521. It was during his recuperation that he encountered God, and his life was transformed through reading the biographies of the saints and Life of Christ. He later on founded the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits.
The readings of today speak about being in God’s presence – both God’s earthly dwelling place and the eternal dwelling place. The first reading (Ex. 40: 16-21, 34-38) gives account of the construction of the Tent (Tabernacle) of the Lord – God’s dwelling place among His people journying towards the Promise Land. The cloud that descended upon the Tent as a symbol of God’s presence and glory became the guide leading the Israelites across the desert.
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In the gospel (Matt. 13: 47-53), Jesus shares the parable of the haul of fish in a dragnet with both good and bad ones, representing those who will be welcomed into the eternal presence of God and those who will not on the last day. In the second parable, Jesus brings about the unity of the Old and the New Testament.
Dear friends, we all are on a journey to the Promised Land, and what brings us closer to God’s presence is faithfulness to God’s Word. According to St. Jerome, “ignorant of the Scripture is ignorant of Christ,” and only on bended knees can we understand it through the power of the Holy Spirit. Of what relevance do I attach to the Word of God in bringing me into God’s presence?
I pray as we journey in life today, the Word of God, as the cloud in the desert, will guide our every step in the desert of our lives. For if God is with us and for us, who can be against us. Have a trust-full day!
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