HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 5TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF YEAR B
THEME: He makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak
BY: Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA
READINGS OF THE DAY
1 Kings 11:29-32,12:19
Psalm 80:10-15
Mark 7:31-37
LITURGICAL COLOUR
GREEN
INTRODUCTION
Good morning my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time of Year B.
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FROM OUR FIRST READING
In our first reading today, we hear of how Jeroboam was entrusted by God to be the ruler over the northern half of the kingdom of Israel against the descendants of David, during the time towards the end of the rule of King Solomon because Solomon had fallen from grace, disobeying the commandments and Law of God, refusing to do as God had commanded him to do despite being faithful and obedient for the earlier parts of his reign. Solomon was swayed and tempted by his vast collection of wealth and all the fame he had accumulated and gained because of his great might, wisdom and glory. Solomon’s many wives and concubines, his ties to the foreign powers and politics also muddled his mind and judgment, which resulted in him committing blasphemy and wicked deeds in raising altars for the pagan gods of his wives and concubines, leading to the people falling into sin as well.
FROM OUR GOSPEL READING
In the gospel reading, when Jesus was asked by people to heal a deaf man who had a speech impediment, he listened to their request and he responded to it. After Jesus healed the man, he asked those same people not to tell others about what he had done. However, the people who had brought the deaf and dumb man to Jesus did not listen to Jesus’ request. In fact, the more Jesus insisted that they say nothing to anyone about what he did, the more widely they published it.
CONCLUSION
Dear friends and Christ, even though Jesus listened to their request, they did not listen to his request. The man whom the people brought to Jesus did not listen because he could not listen; he was deaf. Yet, we know from our experience of ourselves and of others, that good hearing does not always make for good listening. Our failure to listen can often have an impact on what we say and how we say it. It is striking that when Jesus restored the deaf man’s hearing, he was able to speak clearly for the first time. His hearing and speaking were closely associated. Listening and speaking are also closely associated. The more we truly listen to someone, the more likely it is that the words we speak to them will build them up and bring them life.
Have a Blessed weekend everyone
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