HOMILY FOR 2ND TUESDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
Hebrews 6:10-20, Psalm 110:1-2,4-5,9,10, Mark 2:23-28
Laws are made to regulate communities and societies. A society without reasonable laws becomes chaotic. Such laws must, however, be at the service of humanity and should not place unnecessary burdens on people. Some religious laws can be overreaching, not because they are bad in themselves, but rather because they are badly applied. That was the situation with the Pharisaic enforcement of religious norms during the time of Christ. The Lord’s intervention regarding Sabbath observations and his lordship over the Sabbath result from the fact that he was himself the law giver.
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His teaching today challenges us to distinguish between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. When a law no longer enhances the dignity of the human person or becomes a means for enslaving others, it loses its validity. As we celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness in the first reading, we are assured of his mercy in Christ Jesus, our High Priest. In and through him, we are drawn into a covenantal relationship with God, which enables us to receive the gift of life, not because we are worthy but because God is faithful and merciful. Such fidelity and mercy must also regulate how we apply laws and judge people or point accusing fingers. St. Agnes, whose feast we celebrate today as virgin and martyr, committed her life to God at a very young age. Not even the threat of death or the allurements of this world could sway her conviction. May she intercede for us so that God may grant us the courage to be fully committed to our confession and our faith, even to the point of dying for Christ.
Lord, be merciful to us, your children; heal us of our spiritual cowardice and timidity and inspire us with the spirit of courage and boldness. Amen.
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