HOMILY FOR THE 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
THEME: “MASTER, WHAT MUST I DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE?”
BY: Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu
HOMILY FOR SUNDAY JULY 10 2022
This is the 15th Sunday in ordinary time. The question about loving one another continues to stare us on the face daily. Our nearness to God starts with our nearness to one another. The love of God creates no barriers. Everyone who does what is right is the friend of God no matter the nationality. The law about loving one’s neighbour as oneself is very precious before God. It is written in our hearts and not far from our reach (cf. Deut. 30:10 – 14). Moses made this clear to the people.
Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15 – 20). He came to show us what love of neighbour should be like. He emptied himself and took our human nature in order to save us. He paid the ultimate price of neighborliness by given up his life on the cross for our sake. He bandaged our wounds and washed us with his own blood. He equally gave us his body to eat and his blood to drink.
The question concerning what one must do to inherit eternal life is answered with the example of the good Samaritan (Lk. 10:25 – 37). This is a perfect example of a good neighbour who is compassionate and merciful. We are meant to follow this good example of love for one another. The Samaritan did not ask about the nationality or the race and color of the man. He did not go through another road. He saw God in the suffering man. The robbers were heartless but the Samaritan had a kind heart. Heaven is a community of those who love one another. With love we shall have eternal life. Therefore, be resolved today to inherit eternal life through loving others as you love yourself. Happy Sunday.
Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu