HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II.
THEME: Stand for the truth in all circumstances.
BY: Fr. Francis Onwunali.
HOMILY FOR SATURDAY JULY 30 2022.
As we come to the end of the last week in this month of July, we remain ever grateful to God for sustaining us in this precarious time and ask for His continuous guidance and protection. The Liturgy of today invites us to remain faithful and stand for the truth in all circumstances. Only truth can set you free, for there is repercussion and reward for every action.
The gospel of today (Matt. 14: 1-12) gives account of a life lived in guilt and its consequences. King Herod, the most powerful and wealthy man in Judea, had everything he wanted, except a clear conscience and peace with God. Out of his self desires, he beheaded John the Baptist, and now is being haunted by his past failures and sinfulness. Have you ever stood against the innocent? Or is your life ridden with guilt of your past life?
The first reading (Jer 26: 11-16, 24) recounts how Jeremiah resolutely declared to the people that he has spoken not as he desires but as God has sent him to do. Unless they repent, they calamity will surely befall them. “So now amend your behaviour and actions, listen to the voice of the Lord your God: if you do, He will relent and not bring down on you the disaster He has pronounced against you.”
Dear friends, the Lord Jesus gives grace and help to the humble, to those who acknowledge their weaknesses and their sinfulness, and who look to God for His mercy and pardon, wisdom and strength. His grace not only frees us from guilty conscience, it enables us to pursue holiness in every area of our lives, in our thoughts and intentions as well as our words and actions.
I pray as we journey in life today, we will rely on God’s grace to free our conscience from guilt and live in freedom. May we work to restore our relationship both with God and our neighbour. “In your great love, answer me, O God…As for me in my poverty and pain let your help, O God, lift me up” (Ps. 69: 14, 30). Have a freedom-full day!
Fr. Francis Onwunali