Homily for Friday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time Cycle I
Theme: May we not be naturally foolish!
By: Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor (Uromi Diocese)
Homily for Friday November 12 2021
(St Josaphat, Bishop, Martyr).
Wis.13:1-9; Luke 17:26-37
The first reading opens with a strong statement, “All men who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature…” Imagine this! The air we breathe, the beauty of the skies, of rivers and oceans… The birds of the air and creatures of the sea… How can we see these awesome things and yet be convinced there is no God? We must place our hearts where our treasures are – heaven. We simply cannot continue to live like people who do not expect judgment, as some did in Noah’s day.
Friends, St Josephat understood that there was no treasure greater than heaven. He was born at a time of great disunity in the Eastern Church, as a result of the union of the Ruthenian Church and Catholicism. One party wanted to remain Orthodox, and the other wanted to remain within Moscow’s control and Constantinople. He was perhaps the first to make the move to become Catholic of the Slavonic rite. His eventual ordination and appointment as Bishop of Polotsk, so much threatened the relationship between Church and State that Josaphat was eventually murdered by a mob in 1623 while on a pastoral visit to Vitebsk. He was so good at ministry that he was dubbed “the thief of souls.” This is true wisdom. Are you wise?
Good morning dear. St Josaphat, pray for us. God bless your weekend ahead.