HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 15TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II
THEME: Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved, the favourite of my soul.
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
HOMILY FOR SATURDAY JULY 16 2022
Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Micah 2:1-5
Psalm 9:1-4,7-8,14
Matthew 12:14-21
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
Green or White (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)
*INTRODUCTION*
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the patronal feast of the members of the Carmelites religious order. This day is a celebration of the great patroness of all the Carmelites as well as the Mother of all of us the faithful people of God.
*ABOUT THE READINGS OF TODAY*
The first reading from the prophet Micah refers to ‘those who plot evil’, and in the gospel reading the Pharisees begin to plot against Jesus and, as a result, he withdraws from the district where he had been. Jesus is not in the business of plotting against anybody. His ministry is one of merciful love. The gospel reading goes on to interpret Jesus’ ministry in the light of one of a quotation from the prophet Isaiah. Jesus had spoken about himself as ‘gentle and humble in heart’ (11:29.
*WHAT WE LEARN FROM THE LITURGICAL CELEBRATION OF TODAY?*
Today, as we celebrate this Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, one of the Marian feasts and celebrations of the year, we are all called to reflect on the examples and the faith that Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel has shown in her own life, in her commitment to God and all that she had done as part of her mission and ministry, in loving her Son, our Lord and Saviour, and not only that, but after He entrusted each and every one of us to be His mother’s own children, Mary, our Lady of Mount Carmel never ceased to reach out to us, appearing before us and providing us with help from time to time, including in encouraging the devotion of the brown scapular.
*CONCLUSION*
Let us all hence renew our faith in God and devote ourselves to Him ever more through our own devotion to His blessed Mother, the most wonderful Lady of Mount Carmel.
May God bless us always, now and forevermore.
Our Lady of Carmel, Intercede for us.
Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA