HOMILY FOR THE 21ST TUESDAY OF ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “AN UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT WORTH LIVING”
BY: Fr Francis Onwunali
The prevailing message in today’s readings is that of proper self examination. Do you allow the love of God to shape and transform the way you live your daily life – including the way you think of others, speak of them, and treat them?
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St. Paul in the first reading (1 Th. 2: 1-8) continues to admonish the Thessalonians as a loving “father” who has himself been cared for by God. Though he was humiliated in Philippi, it didn’t stop him from sincerely bringing the gospel message to them. He encouraged them to remain firm since God knows what attitude everyone has and knows when we are trying to cooperate with the gifts that God has bestowed on us.
In the gospel (Matt. 23: 23-26), Jesus continues to rebuke the religious leaders, the Scribes and Pharisees. They were filled with pride and contempt for others who were not like themselves. They put unnecessary burden on others while neglecting to show charity, especially for the weak and poor.
Dear friends, “an unexamined life is not worth living,” according to Socrates. We can not keep a blind eye on our weaknesses in the cover of “religious performance.” Like the Scribes and Pharisees who live double lives, we are invited to introspectively re-examine our relationship with God and our neighbour.
I pray that as we journey in life today, we will be patient, loving, and sincere like St. Paul in our relationships in order to radiate God’s love and mercy to others. May our lives be the gospel others have to read and experience. Have an honesty-full day!
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