HOMILY FOR THE 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C.
THEME: GIVERS NEVER LACK.
BY: FR. GODWIN ALKALI, C.S.Sp.
HOMILY FOR SUNDAY JULY 17 2022
READINGS: Gen.18:1-10; Ps:15; Col.1:24-28; Lk.10:38-42
On this 16th Sunday of Year C, the readings speak to us about Generosity and Hospitality but more importantly on choosing the better part- the part that brings us closer to God in every circumstance of life.
In the first reading, Abraham made the choice to be hospitable. He chose the better part by being kind and generous to these three strangers. The consequence of his generosity was an assurance of a son. He was rewarded for being kind.
Paul reminds us in the second reading that, Christ is the hidden mystery that God has revealed to our world. Of course, this mystery is our guest and “the hope of our glory.” In order words, He comes to us as one friend visits another. Therefore, we need to welcome Him in our homes generously.
The theme of hospitality continues in today’s Gospel with Christ’s visit to the house of Martha and Mary. These two godly women happen to represent two forms of Christian spirituality: The Asceticism of Martha and the Contemplative life of Mary. Martha’s generous service is not minimized by Jesus but her worries show that her service needs to be grounded in Mary’s kind of love for him. Together, the sisters embody the truth that generosity and love of God are intertwined realities.
TAKE HOME LESSONS
1. We need to cement our relationship with Christ by sitting close to him as a family, and by paying attention to what he has to say to us.
2. Christ needs our attention because he has something new to teach us every day. So, we must not allow anything to prevent us from welcoming him in our lives.
3. Mary’s choice to be at the feet of the Master to listen to the eternal words of life is the better choice because man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
4. The words of Christ satisfies more than earthly bread. Today, many of us Christians are becoming more distracted by too many things thereby paying little or no attention to what matters most- our spiritual lives.
5. We are called to make the right choices. Any choice that does not bring us closer to God but takes us farther away from Him is a risk to our spiritual life.
6. Hospitality is when you invite strangers, people in need, people who have been wandering a long way, and you take them into your house and you wash their feet and you feed them.
7. Most of us are concerned about how to dress well externally and appear good to people than how to dress well inwardly and appear good to God.
8. Most of us are more interested in how many movies we have watched than how many meaningful verses of the bible we could read.
9. Our fingers are more proficient on our phones than on rosaries and on works of charity.
10. We spend so much time condemning and criticizing leaving no time for fraternal correction and appreciation.
11. We are ready to go the whole day in gossips and vain interactions than spending few minutes in the presence of God.
12. The more you give, the more you Shall receive, (Lk.6:38); God loves a Cheerful giver (2Cor.9.7).
13. May God draw us closer to Him in every circumstance of life. May we be generous and hospitable to others, choosing the better part in every circumstance – the part that pleases God, brings us closer to Him and can never be taken away from us.
PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL.
FR. GODWIN ALKALI, C.S.Sp.