HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II.
THEME: THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE.
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali.
The faith and hope of every true Christian is the gift of eternal life- a life of communion with the Blessed Trinity. This is what the readings in our liturgy today present.
The first reading (Rev 11: 4-12) presents to us the image of the persecution of those who bear witness to the Lord. Their way of life and words will be a torture to those who reject the message of salvation. As enemies, they will work to silence the witnesses, however, the victorious power of God will raise them up in the sight of their enemies.
Jesus Christ in the gospel (Luke 20: 27-40), while responding to the Sadducees on the question of life hereafter, teaches of a new kind of relationship in heaven; one that unites all people, being one with God and therefore co-children of God.
RELATED: HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II .
Dear friends, the message of the gospel is not just meant to be “informative” but most importantly “performative”- a message which shapes our life in a new way (Spe Salvi, 10). It is only when the gospel transforms our life that the promised salvation will be fulfilled in us. How do I bear witness to the “Word” that is life?
I pray as we journey in life today, we may in our actions, be conscious that heaven is real, so also is hell. Like St. Paul, may nothing ever come between us and the love of God for us made manifest in Christ Jesus (Rm. 8: 35ff). When we are being cajoled to go against our faith, may the hope of the hereafter be our bedrock. Have a hope-full day!