HOMILY FOR THE 14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: THE JOY OF LIFE
BY: Fr. Justus Oruma
Zech. 9:9-10 / Rom. 8:9, 11-13 / Matt 11:25-30
(a) One thing that is clear is that every human being by nature seeks joy and happiness as the ultimate end. Everyone wants to enjoy life. Worries and troubles rob the soul of the happiness and joy proper to it. Today, there are many worried hearts, troubled souls, many of us are exhausted and weary, many are tired of living and are robbed of every joy, meaning and happiness of life. There are many people sad in life despite all they have and can have.
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(b) This ugly situation is mostly caused by the sought of the joy and happiness where they are are not; or where they seem to be but only a mirage. Man has no joy and happiness until the soul is happy, for happiness is the property of the soul and not of the flesh. The search for the “joy of life” or “a happy life” in debauchery and canal lifestyles only lands man in the deepest misfortunes and misery, that constitute heavy loads and yokes that keep troubling the soul. In comparing to these yokes, Jesus says, “my yoke is easy…”. St Paul puts it succinctly; “if you live by the flesh, you will die”. The troubles and denials you give to the flesh is a sweet yoke and joy to the soul. So, the happiness of life does not depend on whether one is rich or poor. Every soul is free and can be happy.
(c) Jesus says, come to me, all you overburdened and troubled in hearts. I will refresh you and give you peace. God is our temporary and eternal joy and happiness, the temporal happiness is perfected in the later in the Beatific Vision of God. This is why God calls and attracts us to Himself that this joy will be ours in time and in eternity. “Come to me” He says. The call for happiness, joy and dance as announced in Zechariah 9 is before God. In his presence there is the fullness of Joy. In Him we have peace and joy and He says; I give you peace not as the flesh and the world gives (John 14:27). So, let us not envy or learn from the people living “the canal-lifestyle and in the flesh for in truth, their souls are in fears and are troubled. Jesus says, “learn from me” instead, I am humble of heart and filled with the Holy Spirit. May we never be robbed of the joy of life and of living now and forever. Amen
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