Homily for November 3 2021: Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle I
Theme: We Are The Living Disciples Of Jesus Christ In Our Society Of Today
By: Fr Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Romans 13:8-10
Psalm 111:1-2,4-5,9
Luke 14:25-33
*INTRODUCTION*
Dear brethrens, to be a disciple means “to be a follower”. And that is to follow the steps of the Master, to be like Him, to think like Him, to live like Him etc… The disciple coexists with the Master and accompanies him. The Lord teaches with facts and words. They have certainly seen Christ’s attitude before the Absolute and the relative. They have heard him saying quite often that God is the supreme value of our existence. They have admired the relation between Jesus and the celestial Father. They have seen the dignity and confidence, which Jesus displayed when praying to him. They have admired his radical poverty.
*ABOUT THE. FIRST READING*
In our first reading today taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans, we heard the Apostle speaking to the faithful through his letter regarding the commandments of God, the Law that God has placed in our midst to govern us and how we ought to be living this life in obedience to God. We have to do as commanded by the Lord, to love Him first and foremost above any other things, and to love one another in the same way that we love ourselves.
*ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF THE DAY*
In our Gospel passage today, as we heard the words of the Lord speaking to His disciples, we heard how He told them what it truly means to become His disciples. He told them that they ought to be ready to leave everything behind, every attachments, every other desires and put the Lord and His cause first and foremost, or else, we may get our priorities wrong. However, we must not interpret this as the Lord is asking us to leave behind our family members and relatives, our loved ones. God did not call us to be people who are irresponsible
*WHAT WE LEARN FROM THE READINGS*
We know that following the Lord will also likely include plenty of obstacles and challenges, and many occasions where we may have to make sacrifices and endure the trials and tribulations of being faithful to God, of standing up to our Christian faith and remaining resolute in living our Christian calling in each and every moments of our lives. But it is possible for us to do this if we put our faith and trust in God, and allow Him to lead us in the path that we traverse through life.
*CONCLUSION*
We are called to carry our cross and to be disciples of love.
It was with love that Jesus carried His Cross and died on it.
Let us carry our cross with love for God and neighbour. Let that be our fundamental principle of life.
*LET US PRAY*
Lord, it is your desire for everyone to know you. Help me to be a part of that. Help me to be a good disciple for your kingdom and give me the grace to disciple others. Help me to advance your kingdom every day.
love you Lord, help me to show others how to love to too. Amen.
Fr Diotacious Chikontwe SMA