HOMILY FOR 26TH FRIDAY OF ORDINARY TIME—YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: “Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
Job 38:1,12-21,40:3-5, Ps. 139:1-3,7-10,13-14, Luke 10:13-16
Luke attaches this important saying on the ministry of the disciples at the end of the remarks on the obstinacy of those to whom the good news was proclaimed. Such obstinacy and rejection are self-destructive. People with such ill-disposed attitudes toward the good news face consequences that are more dire than the devastation endured by biblical Tyre and Sidon (Sodom and Gomora). Let us heed the consistent biblical exhortation: “O that today you would listen to his voice, harden not your hearts.”
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In today’s first reading, God responded to Job for the first time since his ordeal started in Chapter one of the book. The message from God was not to appease Job but rather to underscore God’s awesomeness in the face of human frailty and nothingness. Job is lead to spiritually submit to God once more, by fully acknowledging his nothingness before God. Job is God’s and God could do with Job whatever God pleased. This falls in line with Job’s initial submission when he lost everything: “the Lord has given, the Lord has taken, blessed be the name of the Lord.” But, when not just what he had, but also who he was, became victim of trying times, Job became even more frustrated. In God’s submission, Job realized that not just what he had, but his very life is God’s. Job renewed his surrender and submission to God’s will upon this realization. Contrition replaced anger and frustration. In all of his trials, Job did not despair and was in constant conversation with God. We must learn from him. Despair shuts the communication lines between God and us because it deflates and paralyzes us, making it impossible for us to pray or talk to God in any way. Despair erases the virtues of faith and hope. Without these two, it is difficult to see a way forward or through one’s present predicaments. Things may change for us but God’s love for us is constant and everlasting. Knowing that keeps hope alive and rekindles our faith through hard times. The Scripture is a good source of comfort, enlightenment, reassurance and hope during such hard times. St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of the Holy Father, teaches us simple living and a total surrender in our relation with God, in order to be free for the service of our fellow brothers and sisters. May he inspire us to greater faith and more selfless service.
Lord, deliver us from the evil one. Amen.
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