Homily for Monday of the 3rd Week of Lent
Theme: THE LIFE AND MIRACLES OF ELISHA……. ”No prophet is accepted in his own native place”
By: Fr. Higinio Rafael ROSOLEN IVE
(Cobourg, Ontario, Canada)
Homily for Monday March 21 2022
Today Jesus tells us in the Gospel that “no prophet is accepted in his own native place” (Lk 4:24). By making use of this proverb Jesus is introducing Himself as a prophet.
A “Prophet” is someone who speaks on behalf of another, he who carries someone else’s message. Among the Hebrews, the prophets were men sent by God to announce, whether with words or signs, the presence of God, the coming of the Messiah and the message of salvation, peace and hope.
Jesus is the Prophet par excellence, the long awaited Savior; in Him all prophecies are fulfilled. But, just as it did happen at the time of Elijah and Elisha, Jesus is not “well accepted” among their own, for those who are filled with anger “rose up, drove him out of the town” (Lk 4:29).
Because of our baptism each one of us is also called to be a prophet. Therefore:
1st. We should announce the Good News. To do so, as Pope Francis said, we have to listen to the Word with a sincere approach, to let it touch our own lives, to let it retrieve us, exhort us, mobilize us, because if we do not dedicate time to pray with that Word, then we shall indeed be a “false prophet”, a “”swindler” or an “empty charlatan”
2nd. To live by the Gospel. Again Pope Francis says: “We are not asked to be flawless, but to keep growing and wanting to grow as we advance along the path of the Gospel; our arms must never grow slack.” It is essential to be sure that God loves us, that Jesus Christ has saved us and that His love is forever.
3rd. As disciples of Jesus, we must be aware that just as Jesus experienced rejection, anger and being drove out; this will also be present on the horizon of our daily lives.
Let Mary, Queen of the prophets, guide us on our way.
Fr. Higinio Rafael ROSOLEN IVE
(Cobourg, Ontario, Canada)