HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A
THEME OF THE HOMILY: ‘Is it against the law to cure a man on the sabbath?’
Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA
READINGS OF THE DAY
Romans 9:1-5
Psalm 147:12-15,19-20
Luke 14:1-6
LITURGICAL COLOUR
GREEN
INTRODUCTION
Good morning dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Year A.
FROM OUR FIRST READING
In our first reading today, the Apostle Paul speaks about the examples of faith which he himself showed, in his persistence to spread the Good News and the truth of God through the efforts and works which he had done, in persisting to do the will of God despite the opposition and all the hardships that he had constantly faced and encountered even from his own people, the Jewish people. Back then, the Jewish authorities, the members of the Sanhedrin, composed of many Sadducees and Pharisees, the elites among the people of God, had mostly opposed the Lord Jesus and His teachings, and persecuted His disciples and followers. Many of the early Christians had to face great persecution and sufferings because of their faith in God.
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FROM OUR GOSPEL READING
In the gospel reading Jesus is the guest at a meal given by one of the leading Pharisees at which other Pharisees and experts in the Jewish Law were present. It seems that the man with dropsy was deliberately brought into that meal as a way of setting a test for Jesus, to see if he would heal this man on the Sabbath. This clearly unwell man would not normally have been invited to such a meal. He was there simply because he was being used as a kind of bait to trap Jesus. It seems that Jesus was more than happy to fall into the trap that was set for him. He immediately healed the man and then sent him on his way.
CONCLUSION
Dear Brethrens, whereas the Pharisees showed scant respect for the clearly unwell man, Jesus showed total respect for him by responding to his need and leading him towards a fuller life. In the name of religion, in defence of God’s law, the religious experts displayed little respect for someone who was in great need. Jesus bears witness to an authentic form of religion that treats others with the respect that is worthy of their dignity as people made in God’s image and precious in God’s sight. As followers of Jesus we are called to keep taking our lead from him; his way of relating to others is to be ours, and his way can be ours with the help of the Holy Spirit that he pours into our hearts.
I wish everyone a Blessed Friday.
Lord As I pray the mass today, I ask you to grant eternal rest to the following faithful departed
1. Zakel Kalonga
2. Innocent Kalonga
3. Gradi Musuka
4. John Bupe Bwanga
5. Mumba Renos Chintali
6. Martin Mukuka
7. Herman Mukuka
8. Babra Mukuka
9. Bornface Mukuka
10. Mwamba Mukuka
11. Philip Mukuka
12. Maggie Musonda
13. Kanekwa Kachali
14. Muchilagule Kachali
May the continue to rest in peace.
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