HOMILY FOR THE 14TH FRIDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “BE SHREWD AS SERPENTS AND SIMPLE AS DOVES.”
BY: Bishop Anthony Ewherido
Genesis 46:1-7,28-30, Ps. 37:3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40, Matthew 10:16-23
Jesus continues his mission instruction by warning his disciples of impending dangers in their work as missionaries. Persecution, rejection and death awaited them. The wisdom of the serpent and simplicity of the dove pose difficulties to interpreters. We love to identify with the dove as a positive imagery for disciples; the serpent poses challenges because of its negative portrait, beginning in the Genesis episode of Adam and Eve’s disobedience.
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The virtues associated with the dove and recommended to us are integrity, innocence, and purity. While defenseless like the dove, the serpent imagery reminds us not to throw caution to the winds, but to keep our heads on our shoulders as wise disciples. Ultimately, Jesus’ warning is meant to prepare the disciples to endure unavoidable hardships, even death, for the sake of the gospel. As we conclude the Joseph episodes, it is noteworthy that the qualities of the dove got Joseph through difficult times. He was a man of integrity, who maintained his innocence and purity of heart. His wisdom shone forth in his handling of activities and assignments. Notably, persecution propels the spread of the gospel as fleeing Christians brought the message along. Like many, who endured these hardships in the past, let us distinguish ourselves with those dove-like virtues on our pilgrimage to heaven.
Lord, deliver us from the wolves amongst whom we live. Amen.
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