HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 28HT WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II.
THEME: Do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali.
HOMILY FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 10 2022.
“When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and not submit again to the yoke of slavery”. The above assurance summarizes the message of this first working day of the week.
St. Paul in the first reading (Gal 4: 22-24, 26-27, 31- 5: 1) continues to reassure the Galatians of their status as Abraham’s children because of the gift of faith. Being chosen in Christ, they are set free. Hence, St. Paul calls on them to “stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery” (Gal 5: 1).
In the gospel (Luke 11: 29-32), unlike the Gentiles who accepted the Word of God that Paul preached to them, some of the Jews in the gospel doubted Jesus, the Incarnate Word Himself. In their arrogance they demanded a sign from Him to prove Himself the Messiah (Lk 11: 29-32).
Dear friends, the gift of faith we have been given in Christ is the only assurance and sign of our oneness with God. In Christ we are united and set free, for “with God all things are possible” (Mk 10: 27).
I pray as we journey in life today, we will continue to listen to the Word of God with the ears of our hearts and re-align our actions to the relationship God has established with us. Like the Psalmist, we ask God to “teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart (Ps. 90: 12). Have a blessed day!