Homily for Saturday of the 29th week in Ordinary Time Cycle I
Theme: RENEWED MIND
By: Fr. Gerald M. Musa
Homily for Saturday October 23 2021
The mind is a powerful force. Our thoughts and characters are products of our minds. Besides, how we view the world is determined by our mindset. An African proverb says: “There are two things over which you have complete dominion, authority and control these are your mind and your mouth.” If you wish to know the mind of a person, listen to his words. The best people in life are those who have learned how to make the best use of their minds and mouths.
Paul challenges us to change our mindset and “Walk not according to the flesh but according to the spirit…To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:4,6). The Apostle contrasts with the carnal and spiritual mind and explains how the carnal mind is consumed by the pleasures of life and the spiritual mind controlled by the spirit of God. Jesus challenged the carnal mindset of his listeners who erroneously believed that people who suffer misfortune and die tragically are greater sinners. For example, those who were killed by Pilate and those who were crushed by the tower of Siloam. Jesus enlightened his followers to know that it is not right to say God punished these people through death. Misfortune visits all people, including holy and innocent people, and death is inevitable. However, the worst thing that can happen to anyone is not physical death, but spiritual death which is expressed in obstinacy in sin. The greatest disaster that can befall anyone is to die without a willingness to repent.
May God give us the grace to reset and renew our warped, contaminated, negative, and narrow mindset. We pray that our minds may be constantly guided by the word, wisdom, and spirit of God.