HOMILY FOR FRIDAY: 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
THEME: BLOODLINE FAITH
BY: FR. KARABARI PAUL
‘…A faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and now, I am sure, dwells in you.’
Catholics celebrate the Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus today. The First Reading (2 Timothy 1:1-8) is particularly an important lesson within the new culture we have found ourselves. More than ever before, children now grow up being separated from their parents, almost the manner the mother hen is separated from her broods. This has affected their value system. Persons outside the family lineage seem or are made to be closer to our kids than members of the family. It becomes a bit difficult to teach them certain values, including how to build their relationship with God, which we ought to do. Sometimes, when they eventually return to live with us, perhaps, upon graduation before forming a life for themselves, they have outgrown our parenting. They feel old enough to look after themselves. By then, some are already outlaws within the family.
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Timothy’s faith was influenced by his mother and grandmother. Paul says: ‘I have been reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you (2 Timothy 1:5 ). It means that faith in God was in the bloodline of the family. The example of strong faith from Lois and Eunice inspired the faith of Timothy, someone who spread the news of God to others. Back in the Old Testament, Uzziah followed the example set by Amaziah, his father. The Bible says: ‘He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father…had done’ (2 Chronicles 26:4). Every child needs good role models of faith within the family. They need parents and elder siblings who can encourage them in faith. People who can mentor them. We must know that nannies and the school system can’t do it all. The best gift we can offer our children is to create a family with a bloodline of strong faith in God. Faith mentorship must begin with our parents. As a parent, if you have not transmitted godly attitude and total dependence on God to your children, then you have given them nothing. If they still doubt where you belong or mistaken about your identity in God’s affairs, then something is wrong.
When we give them God, we reduce our future stress. Ungodly children are beginning to send their parents to early graves. But a godly family is a home of peace and joy even when wealth is not guaranteed. We also need to be good role models to others. We can mentor people younger than us. But we can also simply live in a Christlike way to show others the right way to live. The Bible tells us to ‘let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts’ (Colossians 3:16). GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. We humbly invoke the intercession of Saints Timothy and Titus today and always. God bless you and your household always through Christ Our Lord Amen. You have the assurance of my prayers. Good morning.
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